User:KSChief/sandbox

“Liberty cuffs” originated in the United States Navy in the early 1900s*< http://www.navydp.com/navycollector/navy_traditions.htm/> and were imitated by other U.S. armed forces starting in WWI. Liberty cuffs were embroidered patches sewn on the inside cuffs of sailors’ uniform shirts or jackets. The patches could only be seen when the cuffs were rolled up.* As sizing is the only alteration allowed to armed forces’ uniforms, this personalization act has always been illegal. This did not stop enlisted sailors (ranking between E-1 through E-6) from attempting to avoid the watchful eye of the U.S. Navy’s [|Shore Patrol] into the 1980’s when it was finally curtailed. Non-commissioned officers, (E-7 through E-9), and commissioned officers rarely self-identified in this manner. Up until December 1969 enlisted sailors were not allowed to possess or wear civilian clothing (‘civvies’) aboard ship. When on liberty sailors were required to wear jumpers. The jumper, often made of denim or light wool, became the target for liberty cuffs. The jumper design was based on the enlisted personnel’s service [|dress blues uniform] (also known as ‘crackerjacks’). [|Liberty] is the recreational pass given to sailors after months on duty. When out to sea this duty time prevents U.S. sailors from seeing land, drinking alcohol or seeing non-naval personnel for months at a time. (Regulations vary with other countries.) Liberty is granted as R & R (Rest and Recuperation) with the intent of relieving sailors’ stress brought on by the confines of military regulations and social interaction aboard ship. Once in port sailors would visit embroidery shops. Although the shops can be found stateside, the most commonly visited ones are in Asia.* Their individualized patches most commonly bore dragons, mermaids, flags and symbols reflecting the sailors’ and Marines’ company unit or job designation. These included dolphins for submariners and lightning bolts for electricians.* When the Shore Patrol found a sailor displaying the patches the sailor could be sent back to the ship.* He could also be disciplined by being restricted to the ship for the duration of the time in port. Improper wearing of his uniform could also mean [|Mast] for the offending sailor. (Mast is a hearing with the ship’s captain for additional discipline.) The wearing of embroidered liberty cuffs graduated to embroidery inside the flap of the sailors’ pants, waist bands and labels.* Although the embroidering of these locations has been curtailed, it has been replaced by similar embroidery on the civilian clothing of all branches of the U.S. military. The practice is most common among those with Asian duty stations.