Mustang Rambles

(UPDATED 30 AUG)  The Army has decided to go back to the blue uniform. The blue uniform tradition goes back to the Revolutionary War and the style of the blue uniform is very similar to what was worn during the Civil War and after to near the turn of the century: the dark blue jacket and a light blue trousers. This uniform has been a dress uniform for special occasions for some time. However, the Army has decided to do away with the regular daily green uniform, which came in around 1962 or 1963 if I remember right. The new blue uniform will start in 2010. As far as I can tell, the main problem with this is that they are 55% wool and 45% polyester. This is real nice, up north, but for folks in the South, that’s going to make it a really warm uniform to wear. Sort of reminds me when the Army sent the Army to Cuba for the Spanish American War with Winter issue woolen uniform.

My son says that the unit combat insignia is to be worn on the right pocket of the new uniform instead of on the right shoulder as it has always been worn. While this upsets him a little bit, I’m not sure it’s all bad. It’s seen as that the Army gives out so many ribbons these days that a simple career can net you four or five rows of ribbons before you’re 30 years old. I know my dad always laughed at the ribbons he had, because my grandfather after 40 years in the Army, Spanish-American war, Philippine insurrection, and World War I. After all that time, with a distinguished 40 year career including a three-year stint as commander of the 27th infantry Regiment, he only had a five ribbons, including the Croix de Guerre and Purple Heart that he received during World War I. My father had two wars; WWII and Korea, and he had 2 1/2 rows of ribbons after 26 years. I only fought in one war, and I had four rows of ribbons after 24 years. Most of mine were either been there, or did my job kind of thing.  I think we’re getting a little carried away. My father used to laugh and say he looked like a banana republic Corporal.

Maybe they’ll clean up the Army’s act and get a little more sane on the ribbon thing. Although, Napoleon was right when he said men will do marvelous things for a little bit of ribbon.