Milsurp After Hours

In the US Army of half a century ago enlisted men of the lower ranks got to be Specialists eventually if they didn't get any article 15's or piss anybody above them off. At the same time, there was a real distinction between NCO's and privates that was a real class distinction. However, also at the same time, while Vietnam was in secession, privates who actually did something responsible it was felt needed a pay step or incentive to perform up to par and that would reflect positively on the team effort that the military liked to believe in. So the top private rank of Specialist was created. Then, for Specialists the deserving the next step up, who still weren't technically commanding people NCO's, but in the Specialist track, they got around to making them Specialists with added stipes. No other outward sign of whatever it was they were specializing in appears on their shoulder patch. A Specialist can be in the infantry, or the artillery or a cook or a clerk or a mechanic. No uniform difference. And nobody knows what any of them do from looking at their uniform sleeve.

I was at the Battleship Alabama today killing time and saw this Navy rating system of designated uniform patches for specialists...probably of the E5 or above version. But, unlike the Army, the Navy sorted out the specialized jobs in meticulous detail and the sleeve patches were specific on what the wearer specialized in. Gave a sense of pride within a human hive within a steel hull I guess. The Army should have done the same thing..... at least I think it would have been a good thing.

The rank shown, 3 down and one up is now a Chief Petty Officer E-7, probaly about the same in WWII. The Army
Class A uniform is very different than when we were in 50 years ago, but back then we had Greens and Khaki uniforms.
And those at least had the round brass on the lapel or collar that told your branch. We had unit patches on our shoulder
that I don't think the Navy had, except maybe the name of your ship? Times sure do change.....
If the Army had symbols for every job like Navy, we could have one with half a 55 gallon drum for burning shit. Or one
with a mop or floor buffer.
I was lucky and never had to burn shit because I got to Nam as a SGT, thanks to the shake and bake school. ..

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