Finally, a new uniform I like: Navy
So, in general, I like tradition, and don't care much for lots of change in uniforms. I don't like chrome helmets, I don't like the camouflage, I don't like lots of what Oregon has done. I didn't like the busy bee Michigan uniforms.
However, I just saw something I did like: the new Navy uniform. (I suppose I can be excused for having just a wee bit of interest since my daughter is in the Navy.)
Under Armour has come out with what they call the "summer whites." These uniforms are modeled after the actual dress uniform worn by students at the Naval Academy. They are basic white, with black shoulder boards, a helmet that mirrors their covers (hats,) a gold belt buckle, white shoes and white gloves. One really cool touch is that each uniform has the "rank" of that player, with only the anchor for freshmen, one stripe for sophomores, two for juniors, three parallel stripes for seniors, and three stripes with a star for the team captains.
The uniform isn't garish, has a clear link to the Navy, and yet is fresh and different. If Michigan is insistent in doing something new, I hope that Adidas can do better in coming up with a clean modern look for Michigan that isn't kitschy, busy, or bizarre.
And what would be best of all would be for Navy to knock off Ohio State while breaking in these uniforms this Saturday.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:52 PM ^
This is a lot of great information, and is much appreciated (by a Dad.) My daughter is pretty far from school now. She made it to E-4 in 15mo, but her total training time (Basic Training, Apprentice Technical Training, A School, & C School) total almost 22 months straight. That's about the same as 6 semesters of school. So, if you spent 6 mo in Pensacola, I'm not sure that's the same program. She had more than half a year with A School at Great Lakes, and is in more than 9 mo of C School in Dahlgren, VA.
I'm just extremely thankful that the Navy has given her great training and schooling, and has opened many doors to her. She opted in to the post 9-11 GI Bill, and was able to see how beneficial it would be. However, I don't think she is aware of all the details. Because she is not a Michigan resident, U of M probably isn't in the cards: the difference between in-state and out of state tuition at Michigan is about $27,000. I don't even know if the yellow ribbon program will take care of that much of a difference. It also is helpful to understand about the clock ticking once she finishes active duty, and particularly that children can't use it unless she has 10 years of active duty.
Again, thank you for your service, and for this information. It helps put parent's minds a bit more at ease.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:47 PM ^
I know I'm splitting hair here, but:
Unless you go to school 12 months out of the year (most go for 9 months not including summer school), you will still have 18 months (or two years) left after finishing your undergraduate as a transfer student.
Also, you have 15 years to use your Post 9/11 GI Bill after you seperate.
August 28th, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^
They must've modified the original Post-9/11 GI Bill. Im glad that they changed it from 10 to 15 years because it'd allow me to transfer the GI Bill to my children. 10 years wouldve been cutting it close.
I think it's also important to note that you can divide it up as well. For example, I can get out and use 12 months of my GI Bill for graduate school and then transfer the remaining 24 months to my wife. OR I can take those remaining 24 months and give 12 months of it to my daughter and the other 12 months to my son. You just have to meet the requirements (6 AD years to transfer to a spouse, and 10 AD years to transfer to children).
They also modified the GI Bill a couple years ago to save $3 billion per year. You will receive all of your BAH if you are in school for that entire month; however, if you end your fall semester on December 15th and are officially on winter break, then you only get BAH for half that month. So as a UM student you may get $1578 for Sept, Oct, and Nov but be prepared to only receive $789 for Dec. It kinda stinks for students who are still expected to pay a full month's rent, but thats the way the cookie crumbles.
August 28th, 2014 at 5:06 PM ^
I believe the kicker was for the Montgomery GI Bill, I don't believe the Post 9/11 GI bill has it. Unless it is part of a Navy specific program.
August 28th, 2014 at 5:09 PM ^
I can never keep them straight...
August 28th, 2014 at 2:48 PM ^
The GI bill will be a huge help as well, if she decides to use it. Or if she wants, she could look into the OC route and be part of the U of M NROTC unit. Lots of great options for her after she gets out though. Good luck to her on getting the ship/base she wants.
August 28th, 2014 at 3:21 PM ^
Thanks for your kind words. Really, she almost can't go wrong. For her training, she will end up in Norfolk, Jacksonville, Seattle, San Diego, or Honolulu on one of 15 ships. The only place she really wants to avoid is Norfolk: all the other ports would be fine. There's a slim chance she ends up in Romania, Poland, or Spain, but that is pretty unlikely, although it wouldn't be bad either.
August 28th, 2014 at 3:44 PM ^
Least I can do. Norfolk isn't too bad, but if you get stationed anywhere in the U.S. it has to be San Diego. Rota is a very good spot to be stationed if you are in Europe. One of the best IMHO.
August 28th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
She actually wants Seattle. But like I said, you can't go wrong with any of them. Myself, I would choose Rota in a heartbeat. However, if orders are to Spain, I think she will be elsewhere: she would be responsible to maintain, calibrate, fix, observe, operate an inland Aegis Computer system. I don't know that exact location, and suppose it would be classified anyway.
And thanks for your service to our country with the Marines. While I'm very glad she is in the Navy, I think the physical danger is much greater in both the Army and Marines.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^
I agree with UofM Marine. San Diego is a great place to be stationed. You've got the San Deigo Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld, LegoLand, Disneyland, Six Flags, Universal Studios, beaches, etc. There's just so much to do when you're not working.
You cant beat the weather either. If my in-laws didnt live in Southern California I'd consider staying here when I get out.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
I vote for San Diego. Love southern California. My wife votes for Jacksonville, Florida. Close enough to drive from Chicago in one long day. My daughter votes for Seattle. Has always wanted to go to the Pacific Northwest. But I really think all of them have their own advantages, and are great places to end up, so it doesn't matter that much.
At the end of the day, that's her attitude too. She realizes it doesn't make sense to get your hopes up for something: it always will be about "the needs of the Navy," and so don't worry too much if said needs are different from your own desires.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:36 PM ^
My parents love coming out to San Diego to visit. They live in southwest Michigan so it gets them away from the cold every winter. Now that we have kids and everything, my Mom tries to fly out every 4 months or so to see her grandkids.
My parents always wanted me to get orders to the East coast so they could drive and see us more often, but I think I'll pass on 'trying' to get orders to the East coast. If the Marine Corps decides to send me to Virginia then I'll spend three years visiting memorials, museums, monuments, and other historic sites with my wife and kids. We'd be close to Maryland, Rutgers and Penn State for Michigan games too.
Like you said, there's advantages to all of them. As long as your daughter understands that, she'll enjoy her time in the service. Too many young servicemen and women throw themselves a pity party when they dont get the duty station they want and really waste some of the best years of their lives moping around the barracks.
August 28th, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
Well hellooo.
August 28th, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^
Agreed. Those are pretty cool
August 28th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^
Those look sharp, and the fact that the helmets remind one of Daft Punk is also a plus.
Go Middies!
August 28th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
I cam to mgoblog just to comment on a thread about these. I love these uniforms. Down to the changes for what class you are in. Fantastic.
Honored the history of the school.... looks sick.
August 28th, 2014 at 4:06 PM ^
Beat the Buckeyes!!!!!
August 28th, 2014 at 5:50 PM ^
August 28th, 2014 at 5:59 PM ^
Being from Maryland I like both under armour and navy so this all good and it will be pretty easy to root for navy over ohio this saturday.
August 28th, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^
The individualized shoulder pads work out really well. Not sure something like that would work for schools that aren't the navy (army or air force maybe?) but in this case they look great.
August 28th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^
August 28th, 2014 at 10:57 PM ^