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The flap is to keep the grease that sailors put in their hair from getting on their uniform. That is, it used to be when sailors actually “sailed” on sailing ships. As gross as it sounds, sailors of old didn’t bathe much and used grease to keep their hair in place. The flap was to protect their clothes.
What are Cracker Jacks in the Navy?
(US, slang) Referring to clothing items (pants, jersey, collar) that constitute the traditional blue uniform of the enlisted men of the US Navy.
What do the 3 stripes on a sailors collar mean?
The three lines are by tradition said to commemorate the Battles of Copenhagen, the Nile and Trafalgar.
The idea was that sailors who would be working on the topmost decks, who were presumably swabbing it or whatever sailors did up there back then, would want to roll their pants up to keep them from getting wet or dirty. Bell-bottoms even appeared on the sailors’ dress uniform as far back as the early 19th century.
Why do sailors wear bell bottom pants?
The trouser material is made of cotton fibers that swell when wet and can hold air. In the event of a sailor falling overboard or having to abandon ship without a life vest, the bell-bottomed trousers can be quickly removed in the water without having to remove footwear.
Why do Sailors wear Dixie cups?
The Dixie Cup came to symbolize the Navy and became an iconic symbol amongst Sailors and civilians alike. Featured prominently in popular culture, it was in one of the most recognizable photographs of the Second World War when a Sailor was seen kissing a nurse on Victory over Japan Day in Times Square in New York City.
Why do Sailors wear bell bottom trousers?
Why does the US Navy uniform have a flap on the back?
The flap on the back was originally detachable, it was there to protect the rest of the uniform from the grease and tars used in the long hair of the Sailors. Most of us had a Love, Hate relationship with the uniform.
When did the Navy change to white service dress uniforms?
A fitter at uniform issue inspects recruits being fitted for the new service dress white uniforms. The changes mark the first redesign for the SDWs since 1980. (MC1 Amanda S. Kitchner/Navy)
Where did the long flap uniform come from?
The uniform was adopted early on by the navies of the Russian Empire and the United States. The long flap as we know it today, emerged with common sailors in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War (1861–1865).
What is the military uniform in the United States?
In those days the standard workday uniform for officers was either service dress blues or service dress whites. As early as the winter of 1912-1913, naval aviators adopted the khaki uniform of the Marine flyers, wearing Marine Corps breeches, leather puttees and dying their service whites and white hat covers to match.