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Uniform rules wear thin

More and more I’m convinced that the Navy is scraping the bottom of the barrel when choosing people to make decisions about uniforms. The new physical training uniform was the first indication [“Coming up short,” Frontlines, Dec. 21]. Under Armour already makes PT gear with the Navy logo on it. Why not just commission them to supply PT gear? Their products work, are comfortable and are reasonably priced.

Now for the Navy Working Uniform: The heavyweight material is great for winter when it’s usually a little cooler on board while in port. I haven’t heard anything about a summer-weight material for the NWU. Lots of us are going to be stinking with sweat by the end of the day. The parka is almost perfect. It needs mesh or netting to keep the underarm vents from going wide open. With the liner in, it is warm even in extreme cold.

Today, our chief of the boat told us the only gloves allowed are the Navy-issue all-leather gloves, and the only boots allowed are Navy-issue, as well. I’m sure it’s no secret that the Navy gloves are worthless for keeping your hands warm. The COB even said, “If your hands are warm, you’re probably not wearing the right gloves.” Excuse me?

At my command, we’re not allowed to wear the coveralls anymore unless we’re underway. They would rather have the crew wear a uniform that costs about $100 to replace instead of the uniform that costs about $50 to replace. As an E-6, that’s not a huge hit to the budget, but for E-4 and below, it’s substantial.

Their argument is that if we’re going to be doing a dirty job, simply put a set of green coveralls on over the NWUs. That sure is a nice, canned answer from people who are high-ranking enough not to have to get their hands dirty. In the real world, you sometimes don’t know how nasty a job is going to be until you’re in the middle of it. Imagine the delays when a sailor has to stop in the middle of something and say, “Be right back, I have to change.”

— MM1 (SS) Mike Clement, Groton, Conn.

No ‘morning-after pill’

I am writing in regard to the article titled, “Bill would require access to emergency birth control” [Jan. 11]. This article [describes] legislation in the Senate in which the “morning-after pill” would be made available at all military hospitals and clinics. I am speaking out against this piece of legislation.

In American society these days, there is much controversy as to whether the government should provide funds to provide abortions. My question is, if the government does not fund abortions directly, then how can the military provide to its female members a pill that is known to cause abortions?

I suggest that the military utilize opportunities to educate sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines on sexual responsibility. I understand the idea behind getting pregnant to get out of being away from home, but if service members are repeatedly educated on the responsibility involved in their decision to get pregnant, the occurrence of this event would be less frequent.

This education can be done during such times as command indoctrination and safe-sex standdowns.

As a sailor on active duty, I know firsthand how frequently driving safety [information] is presented to us. Frequent sexual safety presentations would be a viable resolution to the problem of unplanned pregnancies in the military.

— PS3 Steven Bove, Norfolk, Va.

‘No’ to old boys network

I was appalled to read the Nov. 30 report [“Military, industry pay high ranking ‘mentors’”]. First, the Defense Department’s actions represent the unbridled arrogance of the “old boys network” run amok, resulting in the loss of trust of the American taxpayer and the respect of the troops they have sworn to serve.

This war profiteering is made even more offensive by the Army spokesman’s justification that the arrangements were perfectly legal and “do not create any ... clever loopholes.” Values-based institutions do not base their decisions on legal technicalities and loopholes.

Furthermore, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said the services are looking to guard against “conflicts of interest, or the perception of conflicts of interest.” By its nature, the mentoring program invites the perception of conflicts of interest at best and actual conflict at worst.

The way to eliminate the conflict is to terminate the mentoring program immediately because the Defense Department cannot keep retired generals and flag officers off the payroll of defense contractors.

Second, the hiring of retired generals and flag officers as mentors represents the outsourcing of one of the most basic leadership obligations of the military profession: developing one’s subordinates.

Any active officer who would be mentored under the program has a rater and a senior rater whose job it is to mentor and develop that subordinate. If the rater and/or senior rater is either unable or unwilling to discharge this obligation to the subordinate, he should be relieved.

— Army Maj. Gen. Dennis Laich (ret.), Powell, Ohio

To blog or not to blog

The military wants its leadership to understand and embrace the technology age, but it reprimands soldiers who want to voice their opinion. [“Taking heat,” OFFduty, Dec. 14]

In any organization, there are problems. Voicing your concerns is the only way to bring those problems to the forefront. The backlash to voicing your opinion could be career-ending.

— Army Maj. Janene Marshall, Leavenworth, Kan.

Unhealthy exchange

Hungry during lunch on Jan. 5, I popped into the Navy Exchange Anacostia Mini-Mart in search of some fresh produce. Scanning the aisles, I found beer, cigarettes and an impressive selection of pornography. The quantity and variety of junk food was enough to make a diabetic cry ... and eventually go blind.

One could purchase banana-flavored candy, but there was nary an actual banana, apple or orange to be had.

Commanding officers and fitness leaders take note: The Navy will perpetually struggle with fat sailors when the only melons in the NEX are in the pages of Playboy. Demand that your local NEX carry better food options.

— Lt. C. Randolph Whipps, Washington, D.C.