DING DING! Lietenant Junior Grade United States Navy arriving.

So, to add to my previous post. Here are my brand new, straight from the tailor NWU. :) I loveee them. hehe. You can see Patton was too excited to see I was home. I kept trying to take a picture and he kept putting his paws up on my leg!
Okay
This morning, I went in with the other members of the Jacksonville 7 for an awards ceremony. After the awards were given, they recognized us with a command coin during quarters. It was pretty cool to have the CO, XO and CMC speak so highly of us all.

After that, I went over and picked up my uniforms from the NEX and then headed to the Chapel for LCDR Sierra's retirement ceremony. I was flag detail again and as much as I complain about these things that take up my free time (even though I'm the one who volunteers for them!), I really do love those ceremonies. It truly is an hour or two of celebrating dedicated service in the Navy nurse corps. I love hearing the sea stories, watching the videos and hearing how other nurse corps officers did 20+ years in the Navy.

I know I've talked about the passing of the flag before, but here's a video from youtube to show ya. Normally, you'll have someone stand in for every rank that the retiree has held. This ceremony looks like they just did every couple ranks, but either way you get the idea. Listen close to the words.



They have since added a few paragraphs that mention September 11th. It's very moving.

Alrighty, off to field day the apartment and maybe a nap. I'm sleepy.

I had to regain my confidence, so I got into camouflage -I love a Man in Uniform by Gang of Four

Okay. I used to like the fact that the Navy had lots of uniform options. I thought that I would never get bored.....even seasonal uniforms. We're the service in style. :)

Well, after spending nearly $300 on my new blue NWU (navy working uniform), and buying large medals and new ribbons for a retirement ceremony I've realized.....we have WAY too many uniforms! BAH!

So, this is a lesson in uniforms.

Khaki. This is the traditional Chief and Officer uniform of the day. Fits for work, deployment, etc. (However, on deployment on a ship or sub, you get a different type of Khaki uniform)

The new Service Dress Khaki (SDK) which is apparently coming out soon. Why are they adding this???? It looks cool on the guys. I like the retro, throwback look of WWII, but on the females? Really?? Could it make us look more manly? Why didn't they change the blazer for the females? Ah well. Who knows where we will wear this one.

Coveralls. Ah. I love coveralls. I think this is my favorite Navy uniform and sadly, they are phasing it out. They're replacing it with the NWU camis. It was one piece. Cheap. Comfortable. Loved it.
Summer whites. This one is only worn during the summer months (or in other duty stations if authorized throughout the year). It can be worn in place of the Khakis. Pretty much work or lunches, etc. I like the summer whites. They make me look tan. They're very NAVY and not too uncomfortable.

Service Dress Whites. For special occasions during summer months. OH, and when we become a senior officer or go to a formal dinner we have to buy a FORMAL dress white uniform. So, add that to my list.....(it's the one CAPT Dione is wearing in the middle) It looks good, but it's another one to buy and rarely wear. Service Dress Blues (SDB). Um, pretty much a more formal uniform to wear in winter months. You can wear this one for many things. Retirements, promotions, ceremonies, checking in to a command, etc. Still expensive and I'm already outgrowing mine, but I don't want to spend the money to get a new one!

Camouflage

Woodland Camis. Don't really wear these much anymore, but randomly some training areas will include them....This was from C4 (combat casualty care course). They're okay, just outdated. I think these might be the only uniform that was actually GIVEN to me and not bought!


No, wait....these were given to me also. Desert camis. Worn mostly, it seems, by medical personnel who don't really have normal deployment platforms. haha. Or seabees. I seem to see them still wear it. They're okay too, but becoming more and more outdated. Bring on the digital print! I miss Zelda screens. :)

The new Navy Working Uniform (NWU)! I hated these when they first showed pictures, but I've fallen in love with them. I like them in person and I really liked trying them on. They're currently in the tailor's shop getting everything sewn on. These can be used on ships, etc in place of coveralls and in other working areas in place of khakis. I like this option. I got them so I could do some of my ACLS and PALS classes in them instead of khakis. Also, it will be good to have on hand in case I get deployed to a ship last minute.

Wearing other branch's uniforms:

If we ever get deployed with a Marine unit, we will wear their digital camis. Either Woodland....
Or desert....These I can understand. The Navy and Marine Corps are basically one anywho, so it makes sense for those going out with the Marines to wear their uniforms. Plus, they look pretty sharp!


Or, if we Navy folk get to spend time in the sand and mountains with the Army for months and months and months.....we get to wear their camis.

Why is it that the Navy wears everyone else's uniform? (as if we don't have enough of our own, hehe)

Now you can understand all our different uniforms! Want to know the most ironic part of this whole thing????? I spend hundreds of dollars to buy accessories for my uniforms and get them cleaned, etc and yet.....


I wear scrubs on a daily basis!