http://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/proposed-marines-uniform-change-derided-8220-girly-8221-191000277.htm
Yessir, never let it be said that Americans don't worry about the
truly important things. Trillions of dollars in debt, two wars still
going on (Wait we “won” Iraq right?), A Health Care Rollout that
has quickly become snarled traffic jam and so called leaders who
couldn't agree that crap stinks are bad, but hey lets get mad about a
hat.
Now unless you are the tea drinking pyscho in Wonderland or an Uppper
Crust Social Maven, hats really aren't very important and certainly
not controversial, but apparently to the New York Post, they strike a
chord because the Post is making the ludicrous claim that Obama is
trying to ruin the Marine Corp by making them wear “girly” caps
or Covers to use the vernacular. Really, with all the messed up crap
going on in the country, we got people griping about hats?
The saddest part of this, of course, is yet another claim that the
POTUS is somehow trying to destroy/ruin America. The USMC is taking
a survey of all its personel to determine if a change is needed to
the current two sex style of Covers. This survey has absolutely
nothing to do with the White House unless you count the fact that the
POTUS is Commander in Chief. It is simply an internal questioning
for possible changes to uniform style.
A few notes here before we move on. I actually like both styles
although I lean a little more towards the modified Male Cover than
the Modified Female cover just because I have always liked the
classic Marine look. And anyone who thinks the modified female cover
looks girly or sissified should really speak to members of the French
Foreign Legion because it looks a lot like theirs and no one in their
right mind would call them girly or sissies.
As Women enter more and more into combat areas traditionally reserved
for Men, I see a solid need for a universal Cover. (Universal
uniforms are still kind of iffy since Men have different body type
parts than women.) If nothing else, it might save a few bucks here
and there since with a universal Cover, you'd only have to worry
about the size and shape of the head instead of “Okay how many men
hats and how many girl hats?”
Of course, what this boils down to is the deep seated fear that so
many men have of looking effeminate or girly. It is the same
irrational fear that drives men to panic when their 8 year son likes
pink and wants to play Barbie instead of GI Joe. Gods protect men
from being anything less than testostorone driven machines of pure
masculinity. There is also the creeping fear of women moving more
and more into another “Boys Club” and the boys being forced to
conform. Being “forced” (Keeping in mind that the people serving
and who have served are being directly asked their input on this
planned change.) to give up what many perceive of being a symbol of
their manhood has got to sting.
The differences in uniform styles is a hold out to the age of Male
Rule where women might have been allowed to serve in some limited way
(WACS, WAVES and SPARS) but they still had to dress like women and
had to let all of Guys do all the hard and dangerous work. Women
have become more and more integral to our Armed Forces, but the Guys
Club air and the oftentimes dramatic differences in uniform styles
stay the same.
It is high time we stop fretting about who serves in what way and
what they wear while doing. All that matters is that these brave men
and women are willing to serve to protect us and keep us safe...r.
My hat's off to them all. (Sorry couldn't resist.)
End of Rant
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