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Navy Female Enlisted Cap Device


Chief D
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Can someone tell me when the current female enlisted cap device came into regulation. I am having a hard time tracking that year down. I am trying to date one that I have that is 1/20th SF. From my understanding this was a popular way of making military devices from about 1945 to about 1975. That is a pretty big window. During the process of looking for this information, I became curious as to when the device first appeared. Looking at females in uniform in WW2 they did not wear these. This trivia became an interesting tidbit for me. Thanks for any information. I have pictured the one that I have.

post-160642-0-33623800-1451317595.jpg

post-160642-0-92511800-1451317605.jpg

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Thanks sigsaye. If my information is correct of the 1/20th SF timeline, then my guess is that this particular one is from around the 1975 time or origination. Would you agree?

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I really couldn't say. I lived through that whole mess, hated it and paid no attention to any of it. I just know that's when these things were in use

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I believe they are still in use. They also went on the female garrison caps. I might have mine still floating around someplace. I need to look.

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I did notice government issue. It is still in use on the female Garrison Cap. I am not sure if they are still 1/20 SF. I dont think so though. That would surprise me. I have never looked at the device closely as I have never had to wear one. I would suspect that they are all issued from Vanguard and would be stamped the current V-21.

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Here is one that should be from the 1970s:

 

 

And here is a paper tag (1973 contract) that accompanied the cap badges when issued (they were supplied on the band):

 

cap2.jpg

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I feel really stupid for asking this question. The device I posted, was it worn by males prior to being a female combination cover piece? If it was, what uniform was it worn with. Any pictures in uniform would be great.

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I feel really stupid for asking this question. The device I posted, was it worn by males prior to being a female combination cover piece? If it was, what uniform was it worn with. Any pictures in uniform would be great.

. Yes it was. It first went into use on the male enlisted (E-6 and below combination cap in 1972. The combination cap was just like the CPO cap except with silver chin strap buttons and this device. It was worn with all blue and white uniforms until it was dropped by males in 1982. It was NOT worn on a male garrison cap.

 

It was probably also optional for females starting about the same time, to be mandentory for both male and female (also used on female garrison caps) in 1975 and continuing in use to current by females. It was also worn on the female berett while that was in use. I can not post pics, but up in the uniform section is a thread on "Cold War Blue Water Navy". Plenty pics there.

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Thank you so much for the information. My guess was the E-6 and below combination cover, but could not find any pictures. I was able to find the pictures now. I really appreciate it. That is something that I should have known, but now I do. I am glad they got rid of the E-6 and below combination cover.

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The changes for women's uniforms were announced in mid-1972, about a year after the enlisted men's. The new hat insignia replaced the old WAVES propeller and anchor device. All Hands, July 1972:

 

post-3982-0-18313600-1451429282.jpg

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The changes for women's uniforms were announced in mid-1972, about a year after the enlisted men's. The new hat insignia replaced the old WAVES propeller and anchor device. All Hands, July 1972:

 

women_enlisted_1972.jpg

. I knew it was around then. There were a lot of women who continued to wear the old style. There was a wear in date, so both were worn at the same time. I had a Girl Friend in '73 who was an AT3. She had the older uniforms. Her enlistment was up something like a year after the "Drop Dead Date" to change uniforms and they were already granting extensions on wearing the old stuff as so many rarely sore dress uniforms, it was a big expense for relative little value. Most of us found it VERY annoying to have to go out and but s bunch of dress uniforms that we would rarely wear.
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All of this information is so interesting. I really appreciate all the information that is shared on this site. I have only been a member for about 3 months and have learned so much. Some of these things I think I should have known as a Navy Chief but didnt. The insight is priceless. Thanks for sharing all the stories and information! I learn something new every day on here.

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All of this information is so interesting. I really appreciate all the information that is shared on this site. I have only been a member for about 3 months and have learned so much. Some of these things I think I should have known as a Navy Chief but didnt. The insight is priceless. Thanks for sharing all the stories and information! I learn something new every day on here.

. Chief, when were you in? I was in from '72-'99. Different world every generation. My Dad was in from '47-'67, uncle from '39-'60. Every one had different stuff. I just grew up in the Navy.
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  • 3 months later...

I served in the Navy from July 1979 to July of 1983. My boot camp graduation photo is the only time I ever wore the Service Dress Blue jacket. The suit-and-tie uniform was being phased out. They were talking about bringing back the crackerjack uniform, but I was issued the all-black shirt uniform, white shirt and black pants outfit and the all-white tropical white long. Each uniform required a combination cap (with white cover) and the so-called "female" cap device.

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