Next year is our birthday so....

[gwp]

After just about ten years at the coal face of the cadet programme I believe the cadets are better served by proximity to the navy.

Most of the time

As you say, there is a small constituency that is misled about the cadet programme.  But they are small, and they will never go away completely regardless of what we do.

It makes no sense to encourage them

The sea cadet programme is a pretty important instrument in the preservation of naval heritage, and -- notwithstanding the legal status of cadets themselves -- a part of the greater naval family.  I hope my colleagues are able to see past the rhetoric and engage fully in celebrating the naval centennial, especially in those communities where there is no other naval presence.  No doubt we will have the support of the Navy League in doing this -- after all, they played a big part in establishing the navy in the first place.

Indeed to recognize the rhetoric and then properly let the Navy League do what it is supposed to do with the support and engagement of one of its major endeavors.
[/quote]

 

[jollyjacktar]

As I've said before, I bloody hate looking similar to an Officer in my DEU.  I wish we did have the square rig for the lower deckers.  Like it or not it was traditional and we did lose out when the dress was taken away.  However, I do not see it coming back.

What should come back is the Gun Run.  It is a great way for the Navy to interact with ordinary Canadians across the land.  Guys like myself who come from the Prairies would not have the chance otherwise as a rule to see a Sailor and talk with them.  And it is good for the boys too to get to see the country and meet fellow citizens.  Not to mention the low cost for bang for the buck.  But it is manpower hungry and the fleet is having challenges at present.  For the 100th something positive should be done.

 

[Biggoals2bdone]

Given the choice to chose between square rig and DEU....i'd take DEU's any day.

im glad we are not in that segragated mind set, as was then, that system of dress originated from the fact that the officers were wealthy, upper class members of society, as opposed to the deck hands being low class.

So im glad we are not trying to differentiate and be little ppl.
Also its a cost and luggage issue.  Look at the US army, they are trying to cut back on the number of uniforms they have because its a pain in the butt to lug them all about.  so if we had different uniforms for the MS & below, Chiefs and PO's and officers....we would be incurring more costs, which if they (the leaders of the CF and the gov) want to use up more money, they should start by changing the Navy operational dress, NCD's are horrible, uncomfortable, unsuited for work/ops.

Last note, i do agree with the 1 cap badge for all naval officers, 1 cap badge for all Chiefs and PO's and 1 cap badge for MS and below, since we already have them in the hard sea trades (most Navy looking cap badge obviously) and just have qualification, branch, etc identifiers.  I think we should get service stripes too (a la USN/USMC)

I have to say that is one thing i like the US for, they know how to deck out there pers so that when you look at them you know their quals, and who they belong to, and etc.

 

[George Wallace]

Last note, i do agree with the 1 cap badge for all naval officers, 1 cap badge for all Chiefs and PO's and 1 cap badge for MS and below, since we already have them in the hard sea trades (most Navy looking cap badge obviously) and just have qualification, branch, etc identifiers.  I think we should get service stripes too (a la USN/USMC)

I have to say that is one thing i like the US for, they know how to deck out there pers so that when you look at them you know their quals, and who they belong to, and etc.

Ummm?  It seems you are contradicting yourself here.  You say that the US are good at "Decking out their pers so that when you look at them you know their quals and who they belong to, etc" all after saying you agree with one Cap Badge for all.  I think a 'Jimmy', or a 'Log', or a 'MP' hat badge goes a long way in pointing out a person's quals, no matter what element their DEU is from.  So do "Trade Badges", or perhaps you have forgotten all about them as well.

 

[jollyjacktar]

im glad we are not in that segragated mind set, as was then, that system of dress originated from the fact that the officers were wealthy, upper class members of society, as opposed to the deck hands being low class.

:threat:

There is still segration between the three levels to some extent, don't kid yourself.  The Chiefs and POs and the Wardroom folks are in different strata to the Lower Decks. RHIP is still in effect.

Still all in all it is a matter of personal opinion and preference on DEU, dollars and cents aside.  I would prefer to look like a Seaman vs Chief/PO or Officer as in other Navies.  However it's is not the way it is and thats that.