Ship's Store Adds Lapel Pin

Following on the footsteps of our fabulous USS Galveston Command Coin, we have just added a new item to help you show your pride of being a Galveston shipmate. The USS Galveston Lapel Pin is pictured above and available now at the ship's store for only $6, including mailing costs. This was a project taken on by Stan Shock and he did a great job.

Hand Salute Authorized for Veterans

Iraq War Veteran Brian Fontaine salutes the flag

Veterans and service members not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October.

"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag.

"The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem.

Last year's provision also applied to service members while not in uniform. Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations (like the VFW) have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform service members during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008. (reprinted from VA News 10/31/2008)

Thanks to shipmate Mike Michalski for notifying us of this news.

New Navy Service Uniform

The new E1-E6 Service Uniform (SU) became available for purchase in Great Lakes and California Navy Exchanges starting July 31, 2008.

The SU is for year-round wear and replaces the summer white and winter blue uniforms. Sailors will have up to 24 months to purchase the new uniform, depending on their duty station location.

The mandatory wear date for all E1-E6 personnel is July 2010. Clothing replacement allowances for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 were increased to cover the purchasing of two sets of new uniforms by July 2010.

Basic SU components include a short-sleeved khaki shirt for males and a short sleeved khaki overblouse for females; black trousers with black belt and silver buckle for males and black beltless slacks for females. Collar insignia consists of miniature silver anodized metal rank insignia for E2-E6. Petty officers will wear large silver anodized metal rank insignia on their garrison cap. Males must wear a white undershirt.

Optional components include a black, Eisenhower-style jacket with epaulets, black pullover v-neck sweater and black skirt, beret and handbag for females Existing E1-E6 summer white and winter blue uniforms will continue to be authorized for wear until the July 2010 mandatory wear date.

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