Military Relaxing its Dress Code

[The Dad Fisherman]

Gotta Admit...it takes balls to make this fashion Statement.....




U.S. defense chief lauds soldier in pink boxers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday praised an Army soldier in eastern Afghanistan who drew media attention this month after rushing to defend his post from attack while wearing pink boxer shorts and flip-flops.

In fact, Gates said he wants to meet the soldier and shake his hand the next time he visits Afghanistan.

"Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Gates said in remarks prepared for a speech in New York.

"I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare," he said.

Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas, rushed from his sleeping quarters on May 11 to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions.

A news photographer was on hand to record the image of Boyd standing at a makeshift rampart in helmet, body armor, red T-shirt and boxers emblazoned with the message: "I love NY."

When the image wound up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he might lose his job if President Barack Obama saw him out of uniform.

"I can assure you that Specialist Boyd's job is very safe indeed," Gates said in the speech.

The U.S. defense chief was scheduled to deliver the speech at New York's annual Salute to Freedom dinner in Manhattan.

[The Iceman 6]

Real Men were Pink (and are you from NY)

[JohnnyD]

That's pretty funny... yet quite honorable at the same time.

[striperman36]

Anybody who's been in a fire base, when the call comes, knows that the 1st priority is to get your weapon pointed in the right direction and your helmet on.
I'll be the dude was sleep with his flak jacket on.

[Cool Beans]

More power to him!!!!

Yep, when the sh*t hits the fan, you better be ready!

I remember right after Iraq took Kuwait, I was over there on a FFG and, as I was in the shower, we get a F-4 going "feet wet" and inbound. The ships calls General Quarters, and in 45 seconds, I am. soaking wet, in my coveralls and flip flops sitting on the weapons control officers console, tracking with a "bird on the rail" waiting for the CO to give the order. Been many a time, that we go into harms way wearing a towel and flip flops...

[HESH2]

he answered the call to get to the line with his fellow soldiers as quick as he could,god bless our military.

[Saltheart]

No problem with responding in boxers but I think if I were there I might choose some other color but pink to wear to bed ...just in case . Good Job joining the firing line though.

[Raven]

thats Army strong -lol

he is famous now ...

[JohnR]

Yes, his job is safe, but I wonder what nickname his rifle toting bubbas have given him.

Either way Stand up job!

Originally Posted by Cool Beans

I remember right after Iraq took Kuwait, I was over there on a FFG and, as I was in the shower, we get a F-4 going "feet wet" and inbound. The ships calls General Quarters, and in 45 seconds, I am. soaking wet, in my coveralls and flip flops sitting on the weapons control officers console, tracking with a "bird on the rail" waiting for the CO to give the order. Been many a time, that we go into harms way wearing a towel and flip flops...

You know that is old because "FFG" and "Bird on the Rail" are no longer found in same sentence.

[Cool Beans]

Originally Posted by JohnR

You know that is old because "FFG" and "Bird on the Rail" are no longer found in same sentence.

Yep, that was back in '90 or '91 on the USS Thach.

Stationed on 3 FFGs during my 20 yrs in.

I was onboard the USS Crommelin FFG37 around 5 or 6 years ago, when the FFG divestment team came around and removed the ol' one arm MK13 missile launcher we had.

After the FFGs got neutered, FC's were pretty bored, only the CAS radar, that lil 76mm gun and CIWS.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Cool Beans

Yep, that was back in '90 or '91 on the USS Thach.

Stationed on 3 FFGs during my 20 yrs in.

I was onboard the USS Crommelin FFG37 around 5 or 6 years ago, when the FFG divestment team came around and removed the ol' one arm MK13 missile launcher we had.

After the FFGs got neutered, FC's were pretty bored, only the CAS radar, that lil 76mm gun and CIWS.

Too many acronyms.

[Cool Beans]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Too many acronyms.

Well, obviously if he knows the birds are gone from the FFG he knows most of the acronyms I used. Acronyms make the navy go round, I think we actually have guys assigned to do nothing but make new ones