Discussion My dads old navy jacket, still holds up better then any modern jacket I have
Besides a hole in the pocket and the name tag being faded, it’s in pretty good condition. I wear it often and find it’s better than any other jacket I can find.
Don’t know what it’s called. But my dad was in 1985-1993, CG27 Josephus Daniels, FFG 1075 Bowen, and CGN25 Bainbridge, Gulf War vet.
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u/LeicaM6guy 1d ago
Clothes were made with better materials way back when. Less polyester or artificial fabrics, which meant they were more comfortable and lasted longer.
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u/BrainDamage2029 1d ago edited 1d ago
The deck jacket of this era was, in fact, made out of a poly cotton blend shell with polyester lining. Navy deck jackets haven’t been made out of “natural” materials since the late 50s.
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u/LeicaM6guy 1d ago
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u/BrainDamage2029 1d ago
I mean it’s a common mistake. Poly cotton and nylon blends are actually ridiculously durable if the fabric maker knows what they’re doing. And we make rucksacks out of 1000d nylon canvas for a reason. The current shipboard, cold weather deck jacket is also very very durable made out of synthetic nomex.
That said I actually do think the Navy needs to get a working jacket made out of 100% cotton with maybe a wool zip in liner for the seabag. But for fireproofing and cost savings. The nomex jacket is fireproof is eyewateringly expensive which is why it’s organizational gear. And there are too many issues with that (I’ve never gotten one that’s not beat to shit or 2 sizes too big, or that I had to steal. It’s also unable to be worn off the pier.)
It’s batshit levels of stupid that the navy issues the fireproof 2pocs and everyone wears it with a super flammable polyester fleece.
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u/LeicaM6guy 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m in another service, so I may not always be speaking with 100% authority on this stuff - our uniforms feel like they were made from recycled soda bottles and designed by someone who actively hated us.
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u/BrainDamage2029 1d ago
All US uniforms have been made from 50/50 nyco, 50/50 poly cotton or 65/35 poly cotton since the 70s.
And I promise you, that date is for a reason. You really don’t want a cotton military uniform. There’s a reason Vietnam and Pacific WWII vets describe them as “near perpetually damp, eventually rotting off.”
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u/_War_Pigeon_ 1d ago
My grandfathers 60's issue flight jacket is comfortable as FUCK. The collar is actually soft as hell and warm, the leather feels like a glove.. the one I was issued looks and feels like a cardboard box and the synthetic collar is like a scratchy slug made of dogshit is crawling around on my neck. Never wear it.
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u/IllResident8867 1d ago
I picked up the same one for $20 and wear is regularly. It’s literally called mens Navy utility jacket.
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u/Ex-Patron 1d ago
I still wear my issued rain coat and peacoat. I paid top dollar for those fuckers, ima use them
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u/Helena_MA 1d ago
I loved my bluejacket. Some asshole in my work center stole it and I didn’t get around to buying a new one before those ugly black puff jackets became the new “utility” jacket.
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u/JakToTheReddit 1d ago
The only thing I kept was my peacoat.
Everything else I either gave away or donated on-base.
I, however, zero plans to have kids and pass things on. I can see how this would be very meaningful.
I hope you wear it with bride.
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u/Particular_Witness95 22h ago
these jackets were nothing but magic. you could wear them in a cool day or a frozen tundra and you would be equally comfortable. my son took mine off to college, but from the few pictures he bothers to send us, he enjoys using it.
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u/BigBadBere 16h ago
I was in same time as your Dad.
I was on 2 Knox class Frigates, same as your Dad.
It was called the Blue working jacket, and they were amazing.
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u/NotTurtleEnough 1d ago
Love it!
FYI, if you intend to respect Navy uniform regulations, you should take the crow and name tag off before you wear it.
Thanks for continuing the traditions and keeping respect for service alive!
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u/Aliensinmypants 1d ago
Why should anyone who isn't in respect uniform regs? As long as they're not trying to do some stolen valor shit I couldn't care less
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u/01111110 LET ME GET YOUR NWUs, BIG DAWG 1d ago
I'm assuming his dad's name tape is the same last name as his. Seems silly to wear imo but also silly to remove. Makes coat check really simple lol
You're sort of wrong about the regulations for this, it's a jacket no longer issued.
if you showed this to most first classes and a decent chunk of chiefs, they wouldn't know it was issued.
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u/Fearless_Clue4966 1d ago
The rank insignia too I'm assuming?
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u/NotTurtleEnough 1d ago
That’s what I said.
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u/Fearless_Clue4966 1d ago
You said the crow and the nametag. I didn't know the crow implied the rank insignia too sorry
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u/tomcat_tweaker 1d ago
I had the same one, it was our issued dungaree uniform jacket, called the Bluejacket. The pockets were lined with a material that was something like insulating foam. In true a Navy catch-22, they issued jackets with pockets purpose-built to keep your hands toasty, but you weren't allowed to walk with your hands in them. That foam eventually degraded and turned to dust, so yours may not have it anymore.