Enlisted "flat hats" died out before I signed on, bbut those bill-less headgear were memorable in their day because of the unit ID sash around the headpiece (that device was changed when command shoulder ID tabs came into use I know now when, bu are still 'reg' today). It is probably safe to note that flathat sailors can still be found in foreign navies - most of them, for that matter. Baseball caps somehow seem a bit too lacking in the long, deep traditions associated with older headgear.
I think "cracker jack" and "dixie cup" monikers were fostered for PR purposes but, as noted in this thread, are not tracable.
Alas, Management (I won't call them 'leaders' have put co-ed sailors into rigs that look to me (either) to come from Army Overage stores - or were slapped together by designers who wanted to make some statement about khaki at the grades below CPO and commissioned officer. When in enlisted rigs I was proud of my appearance and would have scratched my head when donning Navy "Battle Dress Uniform (whatever)!"
Nobody asked me...or any other retired USN "person" when it came to uniform policy changed. But that's all right. As long as I have a viable set of Service Dress Blues, I'm prepared to totter along on Memorial Day - or to participate in my burial at sea as a silent onlooker.
To the Fleet!
CAPT Steve Myers USN Ret.
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