There I was, minding my own business, thinking about what I was going to post tonight. As per usual, I open up the old blog and then wander through my blog reading list. Getting warmed up so to speak.
And then I hit Buck's place and the above crashes into my brain and completely blows me away. My beloved Air Force now has a ceremonial uniform authorized for wear by only two people in the entire Air Force. The Air Force Chief of Staff (CSAF) and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF).
For all my civilian readers out there, that's the top ranking general and the top ranking enlisted guy in the entire Air Force. And they are the only two authorized to wear this comic opera nightmare from a Hermann Goering drug-induced fantasy.
Now some of you are probably saying to yourself right now, "Hey, wait a minute Sarge, you said two, I count three."
Nothing wrong with your math skills my friends (nor with mine). These photos were taken at what I'll call a change of command event. The general in the operatic costume on the left is the outgoing CSAF, the one in the middle is the incoming CSAF. So it's really two positions in the Air Force authorized to wear this clown costume.
Anyone getting the subtle nuance here that the Old AF Sarge does NOT like this uniform? Or the idea behind it?
Time for a little grade school English. The definition of uniform:
u·ni·form
adj.
1. Always the same, as in character or degree; unvarying.
2. Conforming to one principle, standard, or rule; consistent.
3. Being the same as or consonant with another or others.
4. Unvaried in texture, color, or design.
n.
1. A distinctive outfit intended to identify those who wear it as members of a specific group.
2. One set of such an outfit.
tr.v. u·ni·formed, u·ni·form·ing, u·ni·forms
1. To make (something) uniform.
2. To provide or dress with a uniform.
Okay, uniform, as in "all the same". Each branch of the military has a distinctive set of uniforms. Uniforms for specific tasks and/or circumstances. But generally everyone engaged in a specific task will be wearing the same uniform. Back in my day there were no special uniforms for wear by only one or two guys. At least not outside of the Air Force band.
Now we need a uniform for just two guys? Why? Isn't their job special enough? Don't they get enough recognition by virtue of the unique positions they hold? What a$$hat came up with this idea?
Yours truly is flabbergasted, disgusted, annoyed, ashamed and bamboozled. All at the same time.
Like the other services don't make enough fun of us already.
Damn but this is upsetting. That's all I've got tonight. I'm going to go invent a time machine, head back to 1975 and join the Navy.
Damn!
Goofy looking as heck. The white piping next to the buttons is almost comical. Sorry Sarge, this isn't going to help any Naval Officers' opinions of USAF folks. I'd love to know what WSO and Big Time think of it.
ReplyDeleteSigh...
ReplyDelete"Almost comical..." I went right past comical all the way to downright silly. And yes, I can hardly wait to hear what Big Time and the WSO think. I can almost hear the Naviguesser laughing out in California.
Upon further reflection, these uniforms look like they were proposed, then rejected, for one of the Star Trek movies. What, oh what, was my Air Force thinking?
Again, sigh...
Thanks fer the link, Sarge. Speaking o' Star Wars...
ReplyDeleteBWAAAHAAAHAAAA! I remember that uniform, but not with Darth Vader in the picture. I liked to refer to that as "Eddie Rickenbacker meets polyester. Captain Rickenbacker is NOT pleased."
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