Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 4 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 7254 times:
I was watching a documentary about the U.S. Military and in one segment they interviewed a U.S. Naval Commander (O-5) wearing the dark suit, white button down uniform shirt and dark tie (to match the color of the suit). The suit may have even been a double breasted suit. My question is this Commander had a beautiful and fairly large set of gold braids over his left shoulder and covered most of his ribbons. I have not seen that often. I just wanted to know what those braids mean? Thanks
David
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to mankind, landing is the first!
Dragon6172 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 1160 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 years 4 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 7226 times:
Yeah it looks like Dragon hit the nail on the head.
Without seeing a picture, it's hard to be completely positive, but your description fits the aiguillette. It sounds as though the commander was wearing his mess/dinner dress uniform.
It's been particularly crazy, as of late, since almost every branch is undergoing uniform changes, from dress, to utility, to mess dress. I'm not sure any of the changes have been for the best. Even the Army's decision to scrap the Class-A uniform was bungled, when they rejected the overwhelming internal polls showing soldiers wanted an updated WWII khaki uniform. And the Air Force's new uniforms? Good god.
Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (4 years 4 months 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 7005 times:
The Commander in the video I saw had a lot of braids over left shoulder, and it looked like brass tips on the ends of some of the braids on the front of his uniform.
David
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to mankind, landing is the first!
ShyFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (4 years 4 months 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 6994 times:
Quoting Tiger119 (Reply 4): a lot of braids over left shoulder
Ah, those would be Dress Aiguillettes:
They are worn with Formal Dress, Dinner Dress, Full Dress, and Service Dress uniforms, and the overcoat and all-weather coat during official ceremonies, occasions requiring special honors, social functions (as directed), all social functions where a formal invitation has been extended, and at all times by aides to foreign representatives.
The photo I posted is the Service Aiguillette, worn during less formal occasions (the officer is wearing the Service Dress uniform).
As to why he was wearing it: The Aide to the President, Aide to the Vice President, aides at the White House, and officers designated as aides to foreign heads of state wear aiguillettes on the right shoulder; all others on the left shoulder.
Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (4 years 4 months 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 6973 times:
Quoting ShyFlyer (Reply 5): and officers designated as aides to foreign heads of state wear aiguillettes on the right shoulder; all others on the left shoulder.
- Now that I watch it again, I see that it is filmed in a European country at what looks like a dinner function with both U.S. Sailors and military officers from that country, BUT I am sure there were more braids that shown in the illustration and it was over the officer's left shoulder,
David
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to mankind, landing is the first!
Dragon6172 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 1160 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 years 4 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6970 times:
Quoting Tiger119 (Reply 6): Now that I watch it again, I see that it is filmed in a European country at what looks like a dinner function with both U.S. Sailors and military officers from that country, BUT I am sure there were more braids that shown in the illustration and it was over the officer's left shoulder,
What was the name of the show? Maybe we could find a video clip to link to, for a better idea of what you were seeing.
Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 years 4 months 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 6823 times:
I believe it was either The History Channel or The Discovery Channel special about The Blue Angels, maybe ten years old or maybe older, after USSR disolved.
David
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to mankind, landing is the first!
Dragon6172 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 1160 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 years 4 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 6755 times:
I actually own that on VHS! When you mentioned it I knew exactly what scene you are talking about. I will watch it later and get a better idea, it has been a while. As I recall they title the guy the naval attache to the American Embassy in Moscow.
Dragon6172 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 1160 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 years 4 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 6727 times:
I think I bought that way back when I was in school in Pensacola, 11 or 12 years ago I would say.
Dragon6172 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 1160 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (4 years 4 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6711 times:
I still have the tape, as far as I know. The wife has been "storing" some stuff. I will try and check it tomorrow.
Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (4 years 4 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 6685 times:
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Reply 12): Can you go back and see what the OP is talking about?
- The people (in uniforms) were talking about foreign relations.
David
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to mankind, landing is the first!
Confuscius From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 3636 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (4 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 6469 times:
Speaking of navy uniform check out this UDT/SEAL shorts. Daisy Duke would certainly approve!
Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 years 3 months 4 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 6443 times:
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From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, 
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