'Uniformity' in the Military
a point of pride. The uniform designed by the captain of the HMS Blazer became extremely popular, even in the civilian world, and is the forerunner of the modern day blazer jacket. Some of these gig uniforms eventually evolved into a standard enlisted uniform.
An excellent description of the U.S. Navy's uniform development, unfortunately not illustrated, can be found at http://prigger.com/detailer/detailers_co...
Most navy ships and other major units have designed some type of embroidered patch to wear, usually on the work uniform, that illustrate some trait of the unit. These are not equivalent to the unit patches worn by soldiers, which are designed by the Army Heraldry Institute, and are officially designated for each unit. The Navy patches are unofficial, but are officially sanctioned. Many sailors wear not only the patch of their current unit, but those of all the units they've served with in the past. Their jackets become a personal service history. Sailors are also famous for adding 'liberty cuffs' and other non approved decorations to their dress uniforms for liberty.
In the Coast Guard, even aviation detachments of 15 men and two helicopters, that existed for about 90 days, designed our own patches. Again, not official, but tolerated.
Air forces came into force structures early in this century, after national armies were well entrenched and standardized. Because of their late arrival on the military scene, they may be the most 'uniform' of the uniformed services. There are no separate regiments to squabble over precedence, and their uniforms were those of their parent services when they were formed. They tend to be somewhat drab these days.
The most obvious indication of individuality in the Air forces is nose art. World War II was the high water mark for this art form, which was officially tolerated then, but has waned since. Air National Guard units in the United States usually have some type of State oriented artwork on the aircraft, but there is only one pattern per state. Uniformity has hit the Air Force so hard these days, that even the patterns of camouflage are applied so as to be identical from one aircraft to another.
Uniformity is a major goal in any military, but as long as soldiers are people, they will find some way to express the uniqueness of themselves and their units.
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