As my late husband called his navy cover, his Dixie Cup. I still have 2 of his hat (cap). My hubby said the little tab on the inside was very useful. They would tie line to it and put it over the side of the ship as they were going out at sea. The salt water would whiten the hat, and save them ftom bleaching it in the wash. Also if you fell overboard. the hat could keep you afloat . I also have 2 of his dress uniform that he has liberty cuffs sewn on the sleeves. I loved the storys he told me about his time in the navy. The places he got to see. He was a vietnam vet .I miss him.

I had no idea anyone could talk for twenty minutes about hats, and I enjoyed every minute!

The Dixie cup, as I remember the white hat being called, also had a safety purpose. The tight weave of the hat made it somewhat like a balloon. You could take it off your head when you were in the water and soak it well and then scoop the air with it and place the brim on your stomach forming a small balloon of sorts. This provided enough additional flotation to allow a person to more easily float on their back in light seas while waiting for rescue. The flared dungaree pants were also made to be easy to remove when in the water and make a flotation device out of. Tying off the legs and scooping the air with them and then rolling the waistband allowed you to put the pants behind your neck with the legs on either side of your head keeping your head afloat.

At my fathers funeral, I spoke of how we 5 children enjoyed playing with his white hats and his hammock! He served in WWII and Korea. Love you Dad. 💕🐝💕🇺🇸

Great video. Some things I remember about the "Dixie Cup" from my time in the USN: 1. It was to be worn two-fingers above the eyebrow and level with the ground. No jaunty angles, as cool as that looks. After 12 weeks of boot camp most of us had very tan faces with glaring white foreheads. 2. In boot camp we washed them with white shaving cream. Every night, while the rest of us were cleaning the barracks, a separate crew was outside scrubbing covers and leggings. 3. It seemed like a good idea, but never try and wear a brand new cover during inspection. It must have been washed at least once and new ones are easy to spot. 4. During survival training, we were taught to flip the brim down and wear it Gilligan-style to protect our ears from the sunshine. We also learned other cool stuff, like how to inflate your t-shirt and pants to make a flotation device. 5. The Dixie Cup was only worn during boot camp, A school and with dress or working blues. On a ship or shore duty when wearing dungarees, we wore a baseball-style cap with a patch across the front bearing the ship's name. I still have mine from the USS Wabash AOR5. That is all.

We were taught in boot camp during water exercises to use the “Dixie Cup” as a flotation device. Wet the hat to keep air inside and hold it close to your chest to help you float.

Thank you Master Chief for your videos! I served 29+ years in the Marine Corps, I retired as a MSGT. As a "shipmate" I have always enjoyed sea stories from my Navy couterparts. We both share a common history. You are an excellent story-teller and you provide a valuable service to today's Navy in keeping the customs and courtesies alive. I look forward to your other KZfaq videos. Bravo Zulu!

Thank you for that Master Chief. I wanted to add my two cents in what I experienced and learned while serving, starting in Oct of 1957. I was issued the flat hat in my seabag, but never wore it as a part of the uniform. Scuttlebutt was one reason it was discontinued was when you were in dress blues, and walking at night on liberty, you were almost totally in dark colors and many sailors were run over by autos. As for the white hat, one would have to admit it is a very versatile head cover, but my complaint through the years was how it was worn. In my years most of us took great pride in the shaping of it, these days and those, some sailors just plop the hat on, no shape whatsoever. The look should always be the way The Lone Sailor Statue wears it.

19:22 "People started complaining that they looked like bus drivers." I was Air Force. I feel your pain.

There was a very funny picture joke of a young Navy Ensign who has just arrived on the quarterdeck with his luggage. He is greeted by a Chief. The Ensign says to the Chief, "I want to get started immediately on a training program. So take my luggage to my stateroom." The Chief responds, "Why don't we start that training right now."

Thank you and great video! Warning- Long story ahead. So my dad joined the USN in 1939. He was stationed on the USS Texas and then got transferred to a Consolidated PBY outfit on the east coast. After that they transferred the PBY’s to Brazil. He was a crew chief and also a bubble gunner on the PBY. They used to go on patrols looking for German subs as they were all over the east coast and sinking merchant ships within sight of land. Same thing in Brazil. He remembered the “dog ears” appearing on the white hats during WWII and he said it made the Chiefs mad but it was a Navy filled with draftees and so the Navy had to back down over the issue. He had tons of sea stories and he was the main reason I joined the Navy in 1990. He was a sailor until the day he died and was always buying leaky sail boats and fixing them up (with me as his barnacle scraper). Anchors aweigh dad, I miss you.

Thank you Chief for that wonderful information on our Navy’s various uniforms over the years. Truthfully I liked our uniforms of the late 1960’s thru the 1970’s. From our dress uniforms even down to our denim dungarees. I was in from 1969 to fall of 1973. Still to this day, can fortunately fit in my uniforms. Is really enjoyed all the information you shared. Thank you and thank you for all your service for our great nation.⚓️

Folding the brim in half to the outside all the way around until it looked like a Frisbee. Popular in places like "A" school where the white hat was required. Formed the "wing" and, when placed on your desk upside down, kept the normally visible parts clean as they were to the inside. Folded flat and in your back pocket all day in class just added some interesting and unwanted creases in odd places. My white hats never saw the inside of a washer or dryer. Navy-issue scrub brush, shaving cream, and a few minutes in the head gave you a sparkling white hat ready to air dry for the next day. Later tonight I will watch your video on the jumper. Curious to see if you address their tendency to shrink rather drastically around the belly and waist when hung in the closet for 30 years...

I enlisted in 1969, went to be an advisor to the RVN Navy in the riverine force, 1969 to 1970. Due to a car bombing, the only uniform I had when I came back was a set of gabardine dress blues made in Hong Kong. I bought dungarees and one set of whites. In 1972 I was selected for NESEP and bought midshipman blues. Therefore escaped having to get the enlisted suit uniform. These uniforms were made cheaply, which added to the difficulties for the sailors who had to wear them. I still have the enlisted blues, and both the full dress and service dress blues. I also have my Grandfathers sword which I wore only once, when I retired in 1989. Thank you for your service! As well as this channel.

Just found your channel Master Chief. Amazing! Great information and history. I was an Airwing Marine stationed at NAS Millington in OCT79-APR80 for Avionics school. Great experience I learned so much about my MOS , life , and the real world from the senior Sailors and Marines who were instructors at NAS Millington. Thank you for your service Master Chief ! Oo-Rah !!

I was told by an ex sailor that the white cap folded down was used as a flotation device. Also the pants could be buttoned up and the cuff tied into knots.Once it was wet you cupped it over the water and the pant legs would fill with air enough to keep you afloat for a while. When the air would dissipate, you cupped them over the water again as necessary

Thank you Master Chief for a great video. I served in the USN for four years. 1967-1971. I loved my Navy uniform. Dress blues were the sharpest Uniform in the world, but I always thought the white hat was a weak point. The old blue flat hat would have been a lot better. Thanks again for a great history lesson and thank you for your service.

Thanks a lot. This was fascinating. When my late Father was serving as an Officer in the British Army we were posted to the island of Malta. It was there that I attended a British Royal Naval School. We were taught by Naval Officers in RN uniform appropriate to the season. I will never forget these fine men in their ‘tropical whites’ who lined us up for morning assembly. They looked magnificent. When I was about twelve years old we got to go on board the British Carrier Ark Royal who was in Valetta Harbour. That was a sight I will never forget. We went down into the hanger decks and they were massive. The carrier was like a floating city. When I was a young boy I read The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsaratt. It was a highly authentic novel about the battle of the Atlantic and filled me with the greatest respect for all who served in Navies the world over.

I entered the Navy in 1975, and we had the suit uniforms you described with the bus driver hats. The cracker jack (dress uniform) came back in somewhere around 1980. But, like most sailors, I was in dungarees most of the time. I did have a time when I was an instructor, and had to wear a variant of the dress uniform (which we called salt and peppers). Seems to me, you could use the Dixie cup hat with that uniform. Fun video. Thanks for the memories Master Chief.

This was one of the most informative videos I have ever seen regarding Navy uniforms. I really appreciate what you have done here.

Interesting. I enlisted in '64. Never knew I missed getting the old flat hat by a year. Got out in '68 so I didn't have to go through the Zumwalt fiasco. I have a picture of my uncle on liberty in Honolulu during WW2 , Dixie cup on the back of his head, bell bottoms flapping as he strides down the street. Looks like a proud American sailor and nothing else!

My 1960 boot camp issue included a flat hat which never left the bottom of my sea bag. Sixty years later, here, I still have it... at the bottom of a dresser drawer.

Thanks for your service - Chief ! Great presentation !

Great video Chief. I served 1970-74 (USS Forrestal, CVA-59). One thing you didn't touch upon was how the white hat could be used as a flotation device. When I was in boot camp at RTC Orlando, my DI, BMC Horne (amazing how you don't forget the name of your DI), during a pool exercise, had us float on our backs, turn the white hat inside-out, get it wet, clamp it to our stomachs after capturing air in it and how it would help you float for a few minutes. He also had us, when in the pool, take off our pants, tie knots at the bottom of the legs, capture air and how it turned into a floatation device, like water wings. Chief Horne said that every thing you wear can be turned into a floation device. Look forward to watching more of your videos.

I enlisted in '72 and was issued my dixie cup, but the rest of my uniform was something totally different from what I've always seen sailors wear. I was so happy when I boarded the USS Oklahoma City and could buy the standard blue shirt and wayfarer trousers.

One of the most common mistakes people make is that “tar” in the days of wooden sailing vessels was not bitumen, it was Stockholm tar, or pine resin. It turns black when it is burned. It runs off when you make charcoal.

Excellent presentation. Even though I'm US Army retired, I found your video very interesting and answered many questions that I've had over my military career from 1967 to 1992. Very well done. Thank you. By the way, at age 71, as pictured, I'm still wearing a military uniform. I'm the commander of a US Air Force Auxiliary squadron, better known as the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

I'm a retired Army SSG that has always been interested in Naval history and traditions. Keep these going! Also a writer that needs this all for a story or two.

I served Navy 1971 to 1975. and I served 2 years one a ship home ported on the west coast and the same on the east coast. It was like serving in two different Navy's, On the west coast my white hat rim was folded down, Neckerchief was double rolled and high tied, Jumper was tailored and liberty cuffs. corfam dress shoes. We had a dress inspection two weeks after I reported to the DE on the east coast. My chief took one look at me and asked what Halloween party I was ready for. My division head, had a little chat with me after the inspection, well I had a couple more as I never changed.

Outstanding review, Master Chief, thank you. I learned a LOT and, having retired after a full career 34 years ago, I was surprised with how much I didn’t know.

I am amazed in how a person just managed to fill 20 minutes, talking about a hat, and make is sound exciting in the same time.

I’m an Army veteran myself but I also served as a Merchant Marine for 14 years. This video was super well done, thank you for taking the time to research and write this script so well.

Navy ranks confuse civilians. Especially when you tell them that the Captain of a ship may not hold the rank of Captain. I was a Flyboy but had uncles in the Navy, 1 for 20 years, 1938 to 58. He served aboard just 2 ships DD407, he was on the commissioning crew until late 42( German measles ) after getting out of the hospital he was assigned to the USS Augusta where he stayed until 45 when it went in for a major refit. He was then Stationed back to Pearl Harbor where he remained until 48 I believe, then to Virginia where he remained till retirement. He told me many stories of combat patrols in the North Atlantic DD 407 and invasions, Operation Torch, to Normandy. I remember his story of being on duty when news came of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 45 while on duty at Pearl he saw his old ship DD407 was in. As early as he could he rushed onboard to see old shipmates. While visiting over coffee in the galley they were informed that Japan had surrendered and the War was over. For my uncle WW2 started and ended onboard the same ship. My other uncle served most of his time on CVs, seeing action during Vietnam, retiring in 78. My dad was in the men's department of the Navy, USMC as he liked say. He served from December 8th 41to 47 or 48. Fighting from Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and finally Okinawa. 3 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star x 2 and a Silver Star. He rose to the rank of Gunny. His uniform hung in his closet next to his Captain's Army uniform from his time in the Texas N.G. I was raised by WW2 vets. In fact every adult in my childhood had served, even the women. My mom built the B17s until transferred to major repair/upgrades to the B17s and then B29s.till wars end. A big Thank You to ALL who served.

Old jar-head (79-83) here and being a Department of the Navy, hear me out. We wore a starched cover using a block and ind starch by the gallon. I could throw my cover through a single pane of glass. I will blame my hair loss as a causality of my military service. Great video, fond memories...

I didn't think I'd like this at all, but I did, especially with the photos to show us exactly what you were talking about. Bravo. Well done. Sharing!

My hat’s off to this brief tutorial on maritime headwear.

Thanks so much for doing this. I was a kiddo in the 50’s and I wore my dad’s hats when outside to keep from being sunburned in the summertime. He was a machinist mate in WWII in the South Pacific and brought his stuff home. We had the white hats and the dyed blue ones that my brother and I wore. Thanks again for putting this together.

Just want to thank you for the history. I served in the Navy in the early 90s. I got out and 10 years later joined the National Guard. I had to go back through basic but for the Army. It was a night and day difference. The Navy definitely is more about tradition and pride.

I’m a Vietnam Veteran of the Marine Corps and have always wondered about the white hats of the Navy. My dad and older brother were sailors but they didn’t know either. Thanks.

My husband is a collector of uniforms. He love this stuff. Watching a war movie with him is a pain.

Fascinating and well done. My father was a Chief Petty Officer, was in Pearl Harbor, physically survived that horror. We grew up watching Navy Log and other such productions. Interesting to watch this. Thank you.

Thank you and your family for your service and many sacrifices. Wonderful KZfaq site, just subscribed.

I served in the Navy and Army. Still love both branches traditions! Thanks for sharing Master Chief and I look forward to seeing more of your videos

My Dad was US Navy Honor guard for JFK's Funeral he was Flag Barer behind the Cason

Was told once by a stern S.P. in San Diego: "Hey Sailor, you're supposed to walk under that hat, not in front of it!"

One important feature of the white hat. It was also used as a bailer! My dad was a radioman and gunner aboard a PBY from Squadron VP-53 and said the hat was often used to bail water out of life rafts and similar occasions. He learned this in flight school and actually had to use it after a hard water landing. The PBY was still some distance from shore and the pilot misjudged the waves and landed in a trough of a wave popping hull rivets. In an effort to stop the flooding the crew used their white hats to bail water overboard. In the meantime they used pencils to plug the holes! Here is a small tribute to my dad on my photo blog.....capeannimages.blogspot.com/2016/05/memorial-day-when-life-changes.html

This was great! Thank you, master chief. I was in the US Navy from '83-'89 and that billed cap you showed was still authorized my first year or so in. I never bought one. I wore the cup until I shipped out and then it was ballcaps. I still have one of my white hats. My father served in WW2 in Guadalcanal. He told me that, in his day, they folded the hats to form a square. You had to constantly keep it folded to get the brim to retain that square shape.

Joined in 74 and was surprised as well as disappointed when I was issued my Zumwalt suit. First thing I did was to go out and purchase a nice set of gabardine crackerjacks, complete with liberty cuffs and interior embroidery. Got to wear them a full year before they were no longer authorized. Broke them back out sometime in the early 80s.

My pops was a Master Chief Master Diver. Vietnam Vet. Harbor Unit Clearance 1. RIP Tommy Ray Berry.

Thank you, Master Chief. I served 4 years in the US Navy 1983-1987 aboard USS Pensacola LSD-38, NAB, Little Creek, VA. and wore the "Dixie Cup" with pride. After I was honorably discharged from the US Navy, I joined the US Coast Guard and served an additional 24 years. I loved both services. I was a BT in the US Navy and became a corpsman in the US Coast Guard. As a "Coastie", I attended the US Navy Preventive Medicine Tech School as well as the Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman School (SF-IDC School) in 2000 and 2005-2006, respectively. According to the The cadre at the IDC School, I was the first US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer to ever attend the SF-IDC School. The IDC instructors checked the IDC archives and verified this interesting fact. I was proud to be the first US Coast Guard CPO (Health Services Technician, Chief) to attend this challenging school. Your video is very interesting, educational, and historically accurate as well as entertaining. As we say in the US Coast Guard: Bravo Zulu! Well done! Thank you for your service, shipmate. G.M., BT3, USN; HSC, USCG, (Ret.).

My dad was a 28 yr. Master chief machinist mate. Smartest man I’ve ever met. Some people know a little about everything. He knew a lot about everything and more. He was very highly respected. I joined years after he retired. But after boot camp I was an eod diver and met a few high rankers that knew pops and spoke highly of him.I was very proud. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to have a long career,I did make 3rd class twice,I had a quick temper. I lost my leg from an ied few yrs later. Tried to go back with a fake leg but they were having it. I was gonna go marines but went private contractors. Good money. I had a special leg for diving,it look cool under water. Scary. I father passed 5 yrs ago. RIP master chief.

GREAT piece of history... I joined in 1976, when we was issued the Double Breasted Jacket, and those stupid Blue Utilities (pull over, and button up). Glad they went back to the Dungarees. When we went back to Cracker Jacks, I wore dress blues (100 percent wool) from my Uncle who was a WW2 and Korea Conflict Vet with LIBERTY CUFFS AND BIB.

Great video. I was enlisted Navy and Army Officer. That's a great collection. Thanks!

I have seen your video in my feed for a while. I finally bit the hook and watched it. Outstanding,packed full of history. Never thought the history of the Squid Lid could be so interesting. 👍👍👍👍👍

Very informative and well-researched, Chief. I will certainly take a look at your other videos

Good stuff! Thanks for doing these Master Chief. I've been involved in the Navy, either through my dad or my own service my entire life and always find Navy history fascinating. Keep doing um, and I'll keep watching um.

My dad was WWII Navy, remember seeing his Navy pic when he was about 19. Blue top, white hat. My dad looked good, military, proud, American. Now he would have been 98. Miss him.

Great vid on the history and evolution of the dixie cup hat. In the early 70s, I was lucky enough to squeak into the last of the jumper style, instead of having to wear the milkman uniform. In basic, during water survival training, we were taught to use the wet canvas cover for flotation when placed over the center of gravity. Didn't work as well as knotting the end of white tropical pants legs and filling them with air, but I guess the psychological effect of doing anything was the why of it. Thanks for the memory nudge.

Great video. I enlisted in November of 1971 and attended boot camp in the Great Lakes. Even at this early date, the Navy was starting to transition to new uniforms. Fortunately, we were issued the traditional Navy blues and undress whites along with the traditional white hat. I say fortunately because one of the main reasons I joined the Navy was the uniform! However, we were issued two sets of the newly designed working uniforms. A medium blue pullover 3 button jumper and blue straight-leg pants. We were also issued one (or two) sets of the traditional denim work uniforms as well. The truth was the new uniforms sucked and once we got to the fleet we stocked up on the denim.

Your videos are excellent, Master Chief. Thank you very much for these. Your knowledge is most impressive!

Very interesting and very well done, Master Chief! My father served in the US Navy from 1947-1951 aboard the USS MISSISSIPPI after it was converted from a battleship (BB41) to an experimental auxiliary gunship (AG128), and after listening to him tell sea stories for the first 18 years of my life I was headed for the Navy after I graduated high school. Then in January of my senior year I made a very significant discovery - I get seasick! So I enlisted in the Air Force instead (I was already in the Civil Air Patrol so it was a natural move) and ended up spending 23 years in the service, retiring in 1998 as a Master Sergeant E-7. I've always thought the Navy had some good looking uniforms, especially the dark blue "Crackerjack" uniform. You took a topic that could be nothing but droll and uninteresting and made it VERY interesting! I'm gonna spend some time watching your other videos, and I'm sure I'm gonna like them! 4-0, Master Chief!

The cap reminds me of when my family and I were stranded on a small island while my 17 year old cousin and her boyfriend went alone for a bit on their own. The boat may have tipped and they died trying to return in it or avoid the circling boat. The coast guard found us many hours later on the island. The young coast guard man gave me the hat on the trip back to shore. I was 7, my youngest memory.

Fascinating! Thank you for some great information and history. You must have quite a collection!🇺🇸

Excellent vid Chief. It brought back a lot of memories to this old PN3, 1970-74.

After 23 years on active duty and several more years in the Navy ceremony business, I knew none of this! Thanks, Master Chief!

Thank you Master Chief! I was a QM2 1986-1990. This was great history I had never heard before. Most people don't realize that that "dixie cup" can keep you afloat in a pinch.

I joined in 76, and my main regret is that I didn't get to wear the classic uniform. I was, on one occasion, mistaken for a bus driver. Thanks for the history lesson, and Go Blue! (class of 88).

I enjoyed the video. My dad joined the Navy in his junior year of high school and did his basic training in the summer break between junior and senior years of high school. He served as a personnelman on the USS Richard E Kraus and only sailed as far as Bermuda. My brother and I wore out his white hat and I remember him teaching me to fold it, I still have his flat hat. Thanks for the video and the resurrected memories of my departed father

When I was enlisted from the late 60's to 79 a great many of us turned the brim of our white down as you described. We called it "tuning" our hat. Nothing in regs prevented it as far as I knew. The uniform changes were so screwed up during that time and cost us a mint to keep up with the changes. I see they are still doing that to these poor folks. And actually it didn't stop when I made Chief.

Thanks Masterchief. I was one of the first on my ship in the late 70’s to start wearing the Crackerjack uniform. Back than they did not use the silk neckerchief. It was nylon and to short and the ends stuck out like bunny ears, so my Uncle gave me his silk neckerchief. Ahhhh memories

I realize this video is 3 years old but my oh my.. the beautiful memories it brings of my Brother in the Navy in Vietnam era. He served on the Herbert J Thomas and the USS Keppler. He's gone now but this is such a sweet reminder of those happier times. Thank you Sir.

Thanks for the history lesson. I now know more about the Navy headgear and its history than I do about the Army headgear, the branch of the military I served in. Going to have to do some research on Army headgear evolution. I personally preferred my ballcap - easy to store (back of pants between shirt and pants), easy to maintain, and functional.

Half way through Australian Army basic training, we were allowed day leave (in uniform) to the local city. Feeling very proud & cocky I rolled my beret up and slipped it under my shoulder epaulette and swaggered down the main street. A voice bellowed out (from god knows where), "Get that effing hat on your head". Being an army town, of course this is where recruit training staff lived. Not looking for further confirmation, the beret immediately was whipped out and placed in the correct manner on my terrified head. Ahh! Good times.

I was a young SN, Spring of '92 in "A" School in Orlando, FL. Heading outside on a break, I walk by the smoke pad twirling my white hat on a finger. Gnarled old Master Chief, putting out his butt, sees me and asks, "Sailor! That friggin' cover say "WHAM-O!" on it?!?" Me, stuffing my cover on my pumpkin head: "Uh, no, Master Chief!" Couple weeks later, another break, same smoke pad, same old Master Chief, same white hat being twirled on same finger: "Sailor! That friggin' cover say "WHAM-O!" on it?!?" Me, showing Master Chief the inside of my cover with "WHAM-O!" written in black Sharpie on one of the ribs: "Sure does, Master Chief!" Short version of the rest of this story: Way wrong answer. And that cover, "WHAM-O!" now faded to a slightly less noticeable gray, is in my retirement chest. -ETNCM(SS), Ret.

Excellent presentation. Thank you!

Thank you for Serving sir and for sharing this history ! God bless

We called the White Hat the "Dixie Cup".

Outstanding, Master Chief. Such a proud tradition. Bravo Zulu!

Thank you MC for that excellent and interesting history of the Dixie Cap I once wore.

Hey Master Chief. Great video. I enlisted in ‘58, and went through boot camp at Great Lakes. We were all issued the infamous blue flat hat, but we were never allowed to wear it, so it stayed in my sea bag during my four year enlistment. However, we definitely needed it for bag inspection, but that was the only time it came out. Too bad because I kind of liked it. I thought it looked great with dress blues and it gave a sense of the old, historical, traditional navy. I always learn something with your videos. Keep it going.

Thanks Master Chief. A great, informative video. I was issued the double breasted when I joined in 1974. Some of the more senior ranks blamed CNO Zumwalt for this horrible change. You may remember he also allowed facial hair as well. HM3 Hugh McGinley U. S. Navy ( retired ) also 8404. 1st Med Bn. 1st Mar Div, later 1st FSR, later 1st FSSG. Camp Pendleton, CA

Master Chief, I am loving these videos.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. The history behind it is so fascinating and interesting.

Thanks Chief. Outstanding work.

Loved the mention of the Ceremonial Guard. I served in the Guard for my first assignment. We spent about as much time working on the details of our uniforms as we did performing for the public, the President, and our more somber duty of funerals. It was a great start to a long career that saw me wearing that suit, to begin with, then to cracker jacks, khaki, and later the addition of an officer's crest.

This was great, there was a time when I would decorate a curio cabinet with different kinds of hats Cowboy hat, sailor hats Etc. So what a joy to get an education on hats and course I love the Navy🛳

Fascinating history - thanks for sharing your knowledge!

The life of a sailor. If those hats could talk. I spent 24 years under one.

Mustang here. One of my proudest moments was the morning after work week ended, and we traded in the RTC ball cap with our dungarees for the white hat. At that point, our CC (MMC Lomont) started treating us like Sailors for the first time.

Thanks, Master Chief. An excellent history of that distinctive hat. I look forward to seeing what other treats may be in the sea chest.

Very enjoyable and well presented. Thank you.

Back in the late '60's or so, a friend of mine who enlisted in the navy, showed me his white hat. He showed how practical it was, pulling the brim down to protect against the sun, another feature, if one should have to tread water or float for a while, the hat could be used to hold a bubble of air to keep one from sinking, I thought that was clever. I think there may have been other things he showed me but I can't remember. The flotation device was the winner. Jim

Outstanding, masterchief ! J. Ortega USN Ret.

Facinating, Shipmate, simply facinating. Thank you for sharing your personal collection and encyclopedic knowledge. In a dark, distant, prehistoric year I had a white hat covered tightly with the camoflage fabric from an unserviceable camie blouse. It was quite an effort but the results were very gratifying, turning up to a formation of FMF Marines & sailors. Priceless. Alas some humorless and ill-ttempered Major confscated it and it was never seen again.

This was incredibly informative. Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge!

I never thought that I'd be fascinated by Navy hats... haha I love history, but hats? Started the video skeptical, but ended with interest!

Very informative. Have always been interested in the U.S. Navy.

Thank you, interesting history we'd never know otherwise. And thank you Sir for your service!

Thank you Master Chief for that wonderful and educational video. Having worn a few hats I thought I knew a little about them, seems it was very little. Boot cap in June 1960, we were issued the appropriate white hat and oddly, a flat hat that could only be worn in Boston. I visited Boston when I was stationed at Quonset Point, RI in 1963, but never in uniform. I was a PH2 at that time and my favorite cap was the blue working cap, which had to be worn backwards to use our larger cameras. The ball cap with ship's logo became very popular and still is for Veterans and Retirees. Later I wore the standard hat for a PHC for about a year and then for a couple of months the WO-1 hat and insignia. Then the insignia changed for CWO2 - CWO4 but wore both the khaki and white covers. There were no CWO-5 when I retired in June 2003. During my years in Guantanamo we wore the usual Navy hats in the early 1960's to Mid-1960's, even with our tropical khaki short uniform. When we were inserted into the Marine fence-line patrol we wore the typical Marine uniform and hat. NO Col. Jessup when I was there. I know this deviated a bit from the white hat but I was blessed to have been able to wear so many different hats. Thank you for your wonderful presentation Master Chief and I look forward to another learning experience.

When I was in Boot Camp (SD 1993) our CC was a GM1 who had been on a Battleship. We all wore our white hats with what he called The Battleship Roll. The brim was rolled over. I always wore my white hat like that until I got out.