The United States Navy honors its traditions, and the white “Navy Dixie Cup” hat worn by sailors is among those symbols of continuity that bind together shipmates working under conditions of isolation and stress.

A lot of time and water has moved under the bridge since this 1917 poster was first deployed as a means to recruit sailors during WWI.  At last, it finally seems to have nearly come to fruition. 

Female Navy recruits are now being issued the Dixie Cup, which until now has been a traditional part of the male Navy uniform for Sailors E-6 and below.

This is only the most recent action as the Navy strives to reach gender neutrality in uniform for sailors.

This most likely came about as a result of a media discussion in July 2015 about U.S. considerations of transgender personnel currently in the military.  Some of them were wearing the female versions of military uniforms of several countries.  After seeing this, how could the Navy not take notice and start hatching a plan to conform in its own way while simultaneously maintaining some kind of control?

Of course, other than deeming the issue addressed, this in no way helps the Navy with larger issues, which include a Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship developed by Lockheed Martin, three of which have been plagued by catastrophic failures, some found within weeks of being commissioned (here and here).

On the strategic front, China expands its hold on the shipping lanes in the South China Sea in an astounding military buildup.  China has created several new islands there by dredging up sand to make defendable platforms that are capable of supplying an increasing number of aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates.  The goal of finally laying claim to these islands creates a threat to several countries there that realize they are strategically vulnerable to being taken over by the communist behemoth (here).

Since their conception in 1775, the U.S. Navy and Marines have been keeping shipping lanes open worldwide and began fighting to do so against Muslim pirates on the Barbary Coast in 1801.  Since that time, the Navy has been key to protecting trade routes during peace and times of war when countries sought to deprive allies by attacking shipping lines and was key to overpowering Germany in WWI and both Germany and Japan in WWII, and again in Korea, Viet Nam, Gaddafi’s “Line of Death” in the Gulf of Sidra, and both Iraq’s and Iran’s attempts to close the Persian Gulf by mining the Strait of Hormuz.

Navy vigilance has always ensured that trade routes are open and has met threats to free trade with superior strategy and tactical presence, many times at great cost.

That imposing figure of sea power has been greatly diminished in recent years due to the current administration’s preoccupation with social justice and experimentation, a position our enemies, which include Russia, China, Iran, and a constantly growing number of  Islamic terrorist organizations, openly mock.  See here.

But never fear.  Multiculturalism, diversity, and gender neutrality will save the day.