There are now TWO "Sergeant Cowans".



Sorry so huge!

We'd say congratulations, but someone could have got demoted.

Congratulations to both.

I just have to make an observation based on that picture.

When I was in the Army, we wore fatigues and they had to be sharply pressed unless we were in the field. If not, we were in deep shit.

I guess they've gotten away from that requirement in today's Army.

Outstanding. Congratulations to the family.

Congrats to the newly promoted NCO.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

When I was in the Army, we wore fatigues and they had to be sharply pressed unless we were in the field. If not, we were in deep shit.

I guess they've gotten away from that requirement in today's Army.

We had a small Army satcom det. co-located at an USAF base in Italy years ago.

Army guys were set-up adjacent to my primary work location, separated from us by a chain link fence so we bs'ed with them from time to time. One of their group offered the same opinion toward us (I was a hvac mechanic and worked on heavy machinery all day), my thought then & now is productivity matters much more than ironing ones trousers or spit shining boots every night.

YMMV of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Congratulations to both.

I just have to make an observation based on that picture.

When I was in the Army, we wore fatigues and they had to be sharply pressed unless we were in the field. If not, we were in deep shit.

I guess they've gotten away from that requirement in today's Army.

Well, it's the Guard, not the Army, so you have some institutional differences there. But from what I've seen over the years, yes, they've gotten away from the pressed uniforms and spit-shined boots. I joined in the BDU era where that was common (though as I recall the standard was "ironed/no starch" and brush-shined boots) but since the ACUs and the rough leather boots, so long as the uniform is clean/serviceable and you don't have loose threads, askew patches, and are wearing the uniform properly....you're good-to-go.

Congratulations.

I had to look long and hard to see where your rank insignias were. Then I see they've conveniently placed them as aiming chevrons.

But it's really good though to see two generations serving together.

Very cool!

I see a weight room in background. Who "outranks" who there?

That is outstanding, Allen.
Well done!

Well it's Ryan actually. Got his buck sergeant stripes pinned today. I've been an SFC for years.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Congratulations to both.

I just have to make an observation based on that picture.

When I was in the Army, we wore fatigues and they had to be sharply pressed unless we were in the field. If not, we were in deep shit.

I guess they've gotten away from that requirement in today's Army.

These new uniforms since the gray digital camo ones aren’t supposed to be starched or pressed, IIRC they are a fire-resistant material and starching/pressing destroys that protection.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, I too came into the Army during the woodland BDU era that were expected to be starched stiff as a board in garrison.

Congrats on him making E-5.

He must not be a medic.

Old school US Army here......Discharged 1977...... Starched and pressed fatigues with spit shined boots..... NO Cammo... Only see 1 Sergeant (E-5) and 1 Sergeant First Class (E-7)..... Those boots look like they were polished with a peanut butter sammich.!!................. Congrats to both of you serving............. I served 9 1/2yrs active Staff Sgt.(E-6)and wife served 8 1/2yrs active Specialist 5 (E-5)..Guess we were Double Dippers... While in uniform I outranked her BUT out of uniform she was the Command SGT Major of the War Dept.....Just had our 48th anniversity...... drill sgt.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: drill sgt,

Congratulations to you both!

Congratulations! That is fantastic!!!

Congrats to your family
I am glad tradition is still strong in some areas of the country.



When I entered my first hitch way back in the day (1992), I was issued BDU's like many of the forum members here. We were issued summers and winters, and they had better be pressed, and starched.

In fact they had better be able to slice you open when you were putting them on. With boots polished with a reflection you could shave off of.
I loved them because you could have them tailored and they would look sharp.

FaST Forward to this colonoscopy bag they now call the Army.

Everything hangs on you, looks like garbage.
Wrinkled, scuffed etc..

I mentioned ironing them one time and I thought my SGT Major was going to have a coronary.

After my break in service, I had to attend boot camp again. On the first day of reporting I mentioned to the drill SGT there was no KP roster. He said those days are over, along with polished boots, tailored/starched uniforms.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Congrats on him making E-5.

He must not be a medic.

Actually, he is!

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInWV:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Congrats on him making E-5.

He must not be a medic.

Actually, he is!

A medic is a hard stripe? I'd have thought he'd be a Spec 5

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:


A medic is a hard stripe? I'd have thought he'd be a Spec 5

That rank went away in 1985…

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInWV:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Congrats on him making E-5.

He must not be a medic.

Actually, he is!

Then REALLY congrats to him! Making E-5 as a medic was almost unheard of when I was in.