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A Question Regarding My Father's US Army Uniform
September 09, 2019, 01:19 PM
WayniacA Question Regarding My Father's US Army Uniform
I've discovered a photograph of my father taken in the early 80s on his last day in uniform. He served 23 years and his last assignment was with the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg.
In the attached photograph, he is wearing a green "Class-A" uniform with a web belt around his waist. I grew up on Army posts but don't remember seeing this before. Unfortunately, my father is no longer with us, so I cant ask him.
Can anyone tell me the significance of the belt?
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride! ~Hunter S. Thompson September 09, 2019, 01:27 PM
Elk HunterMay have been something special for airborne troops, but I never saw that unless the person was under arms.
Elk
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September 09, 2019, 01:37 PM
Redleg06He may have been going to a formal retreat ceremony where the troops were carrying rifles and he, as a senior NCO, wore the web belt in lieu of lugging a weapon.
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September 09, 2019, 02:04 PM
BigSwedeThose bloused trousers, he looks sharp
September 09, 2019, 02:29 PM
SpinZoneDuty belt.
He was on duty and assigned to a watch station or post.
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September 09, 2019, 02:38 PM
dewhorseWhen I was doing honor guard that was the normal uniform but we swapped the c*nt cap for a service cap
September 09, 2019, 02:47 PM
PASigI was in when they had the Green Class A still (1991-1995) and recall wearing a web belt for ceremonial events like change of commands, etc.
It's just a little extra thing that is done locally.
September 09, 2019, 02:50 PM
MikeinNCIt may have been that he had the duty that day.
On some ships I served on, the OOD or Quarterdeck watchstander wore a belt to signify he was on duty (and therefore also had no friends)
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PASigWas he Military Police? Those guys wore web belts 100% of the time when I was in, whether in BDU's or Class A/Class B uniform.
September 09, 2019, 03:55 PM
Sig209quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
I was in when they had the Green Class A still (1991-1995) and recall wearing a web belt for ceremonial events like change of commands, etc.
It's just a little extra thing that is done locally.
agree
could also have been in charge of a color guard detail or something similar
not generally a standard uniform (pistol belt with Class A's) but one authorized for an occasion
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Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
September 09, 2019, 03:58 PM
YooperSigsDuring my illustrious career in USAF, when a guy was soon to be retired he was reassigned within the Squadron to lesser duties that let him skate out his final days.
It was often Charge of Quarters. IIRC they wore web belts and an armband.
Cool van!
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September 09, 2019, 06:22 PM
LS1 GTOIs it just me or is anyone else gawking at the diamond window in "free candy" van behind him?
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September 09, 2019, 06:39 PM
Oz_ShadowWhy are the pants tucked in the boots? I recall those suits being worn with actual dress shoes.
September 09, 2019, 06:40 PM
lopezpquote:
Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Is it just me or is anyone else gawking at the diamond window in "free candy" van behind him?
Yup. The rape van was the first thing I noticed!
September 09, 2019, 07:09 PM
OldMickI have a similar picture where I was wearing short sleeve khakis with blousing garters, boots, duty belt and c**t cap. I asked a friend who served with me and he said we had marched in a in a parade shortly before the photo.
September 09, 2019, 07:10 PM
erj_pilotquote:
Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Why are the pants tucked in the boots?
The trademark of being Airborne...
"If you’re a leader, you lead the way. Not just on the easy ones; you take the tough ones too…” – MAJ Richard D. Winters (1918-2011), E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil... Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel." - Isaiah 5:20,24 September 09, 2019, 07:11 PM
ArtyAt that time, the 82d Airborne wore boots bloused in their trousers as a part of the Class A uniform. It showed a more elite status of the airborne troops. As mentioned above, pistol belts were sometimes worn for a ceremonial, or other special occasion. The 82d and 101st used to also were maroon berets, like the green berets of the Special Forces, again to show a more elite status.
"Ride to the sound of the big guns." September 09, 2019, 07:38 PM
IcabodHe was under arms.
As example, Drill Sergeants wore belts so were considered under arms. That allowed them to keep their headgear on inside buildings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_armshttps://www.ar670.com/2018/12/...uired-or-prohibited/
“ The work of destruction is quick, easy and exhilarating; the work of creation is slow, laborious and dull. September 09, 2019, 08:48 PM
PASigquote:
Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Why are the pants tucked in the boots? I recall those suits being worn with actual dress shoes.
It’s called blousing your boots, and it’s how Airborne Soldiers wear their uniform, plus other troops do it for ceremonial events. It’s a uniform and not a suit and the shoes were called “lowquarters” and more like oxfords than dress shoes.
September 09, 2019, 10:04 PM
CPD SIGquote:
Originally posted by SpinZone:
Duty belt.
He was on duty and assigned to a watch station or post.
This.
Poor guy looked as if he was the Duty NCO of the day. This usually explains the "Awww shit" or "WTF" look on his face. ALL personnel on duty have the same look.
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