Our American Navy

[Freedom77]

Ever wonder how the U.S. Navy got it's uniform. Well, We got it from the British. In honor of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson, the three white stripes on the flap represent the battle of the Nile, the battle of Copenhagen and the Battle of Trefalger. We added the stars in the corners. The black tie in honor of the death of Nelson, Arguably one of the greatest seafaring heroes in history. The bell bottoms were of course so that the sailors could roll up their pants in order to swab the decks. Thus the name "swabbies" We of course put thirteen buttons on the flap of the pants representing the original thirteen colonies. Some years back there was a proposal to replace the buttons with a zipper. Went over like a fart in church. Bring on the trivia. Fair Winds, Old Salt...

 

[Zaphro]

Those thirteen buttons could be quite troublesome after a few beers and a hurried trip to the head.

 

[Joe]

Those thirteen buttons could be quite troublesome after a few beers and a hurried trip to the head.

I never had a problem with the buttons. When Zumwalt came in and they changed the uniforms there were more problems with the zipper should a sailor become "three sheets to the wind" than the 13 buttons.

 

[RichBone]

Ever wonder how the U.S. Navy got it's uniform. Well, We got it from the British. In honor of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson, the three white stripes on the flap represent the battle of the Nile, the battle of Copenhagen and the Battle of Trefalger. We added the stars in the corners. The black tie in honor of the death of Nelson, Arguably one of the greatest seafaring heroes in history. The bell bottoms were of course so that the sailors could roll up their pants in order to swab the decks. Thus the name "swabbies" We of course put thirteen buttons on the flap of the pants representing the original thirteen colonies. Some years back there was a proposal to replace the buttons with a zipper. Went over like a fart in church. Bring on the trivia. Fair Winds, Old Salt...

I'm just asking, but why would we adopt symbols from the British who we were not exactly allies and recently before (at the time when Nelson was fighting those battles) our enemy?

Rich

 

[woodster]

i always thought the bell bottoms were there for flotation in the event you went overboard...seems like my cousin in the navy told me that years ago....

regards
woody

 

[Brian D]

I know this is about the US Navy, but the Marines have served proudly with them since 1775. The US Marines were fashioned after the British Marines.

Marines Officers on board Navy vessels also had some traditions that have stayed the course. Marine officers wore a quadrafoil on the top of their hats so as not to be shot by Marine sharpshooters in the rigging of the ship during close quarter combat.

While on deck, Marines wore leather around their necks to project against sword slashes. Hence the name "Leathernecks". The "leather" collar is still depicted by the high collar of the Marine Dress Blue Uniform, the sharpest looking dress uniform of all the services.

In keeping with the time honored tradition of the Naval Services.

 

[chewy352]

Those thirteen buttons could be quite troublesome after a few beers and a hurried trip to the head.

I never had a problem with the buttons because whenever I needed my pants off quick fast and in a hurry i just pulled the knot out of the laces in the back.

 

[Freedom77]

I'm just asking, but why would we adopt symbols from the British who we were not exactly allies and recently before (at the time when Nelson was fighting those battles) our enemy?

Rich

I don't make em up I just report em. Got info from a book entitled Traditions in the Navy.

 

[Freedom77]

Semper Fi

I know this is about the US Navy, but the Marines have served proudly with them since 1775. The US Marines were fashioned after the British Marines.

Marines Officers on board Navy vessels also had some traditions that have stayed the course. Marine officers wore a quadrafoil on the top of their hats so as not to be shot by Marine sharpshooters in the rigging of the ship during close quarter combat.

While on deck, Marines wore leather around their necks to project against sword slashes. Hence the name "Leathernecks". The "leather" collar is still depicted by the high collar of the Marine Dress Blue Uniform, the sharpest looking dress uniform of all the services.

In keeping with the time honored tradition of the Naval Services.

If you're ever in a firefight pray you have a U.S. Marine in the foxhole with you. My Father in Law was in the First Division on Guadalcanal. One of the finest men I ever knew.
Hoorah!! By the weight the braid design on top of Officer Caps was originated by the french so the topmen could identify the officers on deck. Semper Fi.