Unusual Navy enlisted formal uniform (ATC)

[Bob Hudson]

I come across a fair amount of officers mess/dinner dress uniforms for the various services, but this is the first time I've found one for Navy enlisted, specifically a 1st class petty officer. I have to wonder about where he was stationed to need this?

 

This is called the "Dinner Dress Uniform" and below is a photo showing one with the white shirt and bowtie.

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Usually embassy or staff functions.

 

From Navy Regs Article 3501.14

 

Occasions For Wear

Worn to official functions when civilians normally wear black tie. This is an optional Winter Uniform when Dinner Dress Blue is prescribed.

 

Coat, Dinner Dress Blue Jacket

 

This looks like a late 1970's to late 1980's jacket, the silver buttons are from the 'ice cream vendor' uniform era.

[Bob Hudson]

Usually embassy or staff functions.

 

From Navy Regs Article 3501.14

 

Occasions For Wear

Worn to official functions when civilians normally wear black tie. This is an optional Winter Uniform when Dinner Dress Blue is prescribed.

 

Coat, Dinner Dress Blue Jacket

 

This looks like a late 1970's to late 1980's jacket, the silver buttons are from the 'ice cream vendor' uniform era.

 

What's the rating on that? That guy had a lot of time in service to still be a 1st Class.

[Salvage Sailor]

What's the rating on that? That guy had a lot of time in service to still be a 1st Class.

 

Air Traffic Controller (AC1) "the winged microphone"

 

Yep, lots of gold and time in service to be only an E-6

[Salvage Sailor]

I do recall though, in 1981 Reagan fired the civilian air traffic controllers, and a call went out for military controllers. I was asked to switch from OS to AC (then a new rate), since Operations Specialists were already trained to tactically control military aircraft with voice & radar. I was not interested.

 

There simply were not enough trained controllers to cover the gap, so lots of men were 'cross-rated' from other rates. There may have been a reduction in grade, or an infusion of the sick, lame and lazy into the AC rate during this period, thus the E-6 with 20 years.

[sigsaye]

I do recall though, in 1981 Reagan fired the civilian air traffic controllers, and a call went out for military controllers. I was asked to switch from OS to AC (then a new rate), since Operations Specialists were already trained to tactically control military aircraft with voice & radar. I was not interested.

 

There simply were not enough trained controllers to cover the gap, so lots of men were 'cross-rated' from other rates. There may have been a reduction in grade, or an infusion of the sick, lame and lazy into the AC rate during this period, thus the E-6 with 20 years.

The uniform itself was authorized in the mid Nineties for all Enlisted Sailors The pewter buttons are a holdover from the days when we all had to wear the CPO style uniform.

 

ACs tended to advance slowley. I knew quite a few that retired at 20 years as First Class. Actually pretty common. I read that the average grade at retirement is E-6. This uniform would have been worn for things like the annual Navy Ball, or other formal functions (as has been previously mentioned). The only thing really uncommon about this uniform is that it exsists as few enlisted folks bother with it. I had one, (got it a few years after I made Chief) and wore it several times a year if I was home for the functions and loved it. It was actually about the only Chief uniform I liked (hated Khakis and despised those choker whites and the blues were just uncomfortable).

 

Steve Hesson