Should Our Navy Officers Wear The Executive Curl?
If you're wondering what I'm talking about, back in the days when the Navy was Royal, officers had, on their uniform jackets, a braided curl on their top stripe. That went away in 1968, when everyone adapted the green uniform; when the DEUs were reintroduced in the 1980s, the officers kept the stripes, but the braided curl never returned.
It's called the "executive curl," and it's still part of a naval officer's formal "mess dress." And if you're wondering what this has to do with politics, well, last week Parliament debated bringing the curl back onto the naval uniform.
I'm not joking. You can find the motion under Private Member's Business, here. The motion was introduced by Tory MP Guy Lauzon.
There were of course a number of Opposition members who wondered a bit about timing and relevancy, and how this thing came in out of the blue, and how there were better ways to show support for the Navy. But no one actually voted against the motion. Even the Bloc Québécois spoke in favour of it:
And in the end, the motion carried unanimously. Note that this is a motion and not actual legislation, so tailors aren't going to see a boom in business from navy officers just yet.
However, given what percentage of the population is actually affected by this, I think it's time for a poll:
It's called the "executive curl," and it's still part of a naval officer's formal "mess dress." And if you're wondering what this has to do with politics, well, last week Parliament debated bringing the curl back onto the naval uniform.
I'm not joking. You can find the motion under Private Member's Business, here. The motion was introduced by Tory MP Guy Lauzon.
I believe the timing of the motion is significant and important as well. With the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy, what better time to right this wrong and reincorporate the executive curl into the uniform of the navy? That is why I am here today to ask the House to support my efforts. This motion is aimed to give the navy back part of its identity lost in 1968 and to support the men and women of the Canadian Forces.
There were of course a number of Opposition members who wondered a bit about timing and relevancy, and how this thing came in out of the blue, and how there were better ways to show support for the Navy. But no one actually voted against the motion. Even the Bloc Québécois spoke in favour of it:
Mr. Mario Laframboise (Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, BQ): The Bloc Québécois has always defended the men and women, Quebeckers and Canadians, who wear a military uniform, whether they are in the army, the air force or the navy.
In the case before us, we have no objection to supporting a motion to reinstate the Navy executive curl, if that is the wish of the officers of the Canadian Navy. It is easy to understand that the reinstatement of the executive curl would be a source of pride and dignity for the officers of the Canadian Navy. Again, this is not a small measure to us.
And in the end, the motion carried unanimously. Note that this is a motion and not actual legislation, so tailors aren't going to see a boom in business from navy officers just yet.
However, given what percentage of the population is actually affected by this, I think it's time for a poll:
Labels: Canadian Navy, Guy Lauzon
posted by VW at 10:08 a.m.
4 Comments:
It's coming for sure sometime this year. Some logistics are being worked out.
One thing though, because of the speed all this is happening. I wonder if it was already in the works, and the mention in Parliament was just for show. In the Nov 09 minutes of the Navy Dress Committee, it was mentioned that the Commander MARCOM said the curl wasn't coming back.
I think he had a nudge to change his mind.
I certainly applaude the return of the curl, however, I have to wonder how they will address the way flag officers will wear it - will they all just continue to wear the one wide ring with the curl, or will the CF return to the single wide ring for commodore and additional rings for each admiral's rank topped with the curl?
Also, it is a shame that they did not have the forward vision to also consider changing the sailor's badges of rank from the present army style chevrons to the traditional badges of the navy. I think that single and crossed anchors with chevrons and chief's buttons are a lot more appropriate than the stuff we wear now.
As a serving officer this is great news; we never should have lost it in the first place- thank you Paul Hellyer.
It would also be perfectly fitting to restore the traditional NCM rank insignia and I am surprised this was not added to the bill. Anyone have any idea if that could be done at this late stage?
BZ! As a serving naval aviator I too support this decision. Perhaps there could be discussions in Ottawa about bringing back some RCAF traditions as well for us zoomies. (ie. the return of the blue rank bars for officers)
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