1971 was a year of change that implemented new policies and saw first-time events that we take for granted today.

In 1971:

• Admiral Zumwalt was the Chief of Naval Operations.

• MCPON Del Black retired and was relieved by MCPON John Whittet.

• The Navy’s role in Vietnam was changing to an advisory role.

• Race relations were strained within the Fleet.

• New ships were being commissioned and old World War II vessels were being decommissioned.

• The Navy was beginning to prepare for an all volunteer force in 1973.

• New policies aimed at creating a better quality of life for Sailors and their families were implemented.

• The Command Master Chief program was established.

• Radical changes to uniform regulations were introduced.

Extra Liberty for Many

The CNO’s efforts to eliminate irritating and demeaning aspects of Navy life began getting a lot of attention in 1971. Less well publicized were attempts to enable Navymen to spend less time at sea and more time at home. One example was the decision to eliminate the 16-knot speed limit for ships returning from overseas deployment or local operations

Another example was the new carrier deployment schedule that Atlantic Fleet planners came up with. It reduced Atlantic carrier deployments to a minimum of six months and resulted in two or three extra months at home for Sailors aboard Atlantic Fleet carriers. All Hands JAN71

Two Exams This Year for the Last Time for MCPO, SCPO

Navywide qualifying exams for senior and master chief petty officer were held twice (February and November) for the last time in 1971. Beginning in 1972, the exam would take place in November and the selection board would convene the following March. Advancements were to be authorized throughout the year. All Hands JAN71

Captain Robin L. Quigley Eighth Director of WAVES

Captain Robin L. Quigley, USN, was appointed as the eighth Director of Waves and Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women. Captain Quigley, at age 41, was the youngest of all eight directors since the establishment of WAVES in 1942. Captain Quigley relieved Captain Rita Lenihan, USN who served as director since 1966. Captain Lenihan assumed a new position with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Operations and Readiness.

Captain Quigley entered the Navy as an Ensign in 1954. All Hands JAN71

SECNAV Demands New Effort to Solve Race Problems

In an ALNAV, the Secretary of the Navy demanded that “…the Navy family must work together constructively and openly to solve our racial problems in a rational manner.

Navy Secretary John H. Chaffee said that he was “not satisfied” with the Navy’s or Marine Corps’ record in that area. He said, “Our objectives have been honorable, but our accomplishments leave much to be desired.”

“Certain actions can be taken now.” He said, “without further delay…the Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps will shortly be issuing further directives outlining specific changes and improvements.” Specifically, he called for the establishment of more NROTC units at predominantly black colleges to correct a situation where only a little

more than one-half of one per cent of the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ officers were black. All Hands JAN71

BUPERS Team Established to Improve Human Relations

In 1971, a personal response and human relations study team in BUPERS was working on a program to improve communications and understanding between people in the Navy. The was established to address bettering relations between Navy personnel and the public, at home and overseas, but also to resolve internal problems due to racial and cultural differences between Sailors. The team was also tasked to look at ways of improving communications between juniors and seniors in the military ranks. All Hands JAN71

CPO Advisory Board to the CNO Established

Seven master and senior chief petty officers from the Fleet were selected to join the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on the newly established CPO Advisory Board to the Chief of Naval Operations. The group was established to make recommendations and act as a sounding board on ideas and proposals of interest to enlisted personnel. The seven chiefs were chosen from a field 150 volunteers. All Hands JAN71

Zero Draft By 1973

The Department of Defense set a target date for achieving an all-volunteer military force of 1 July 1973. Although the Navy wasn’t taking draftees there was concern that the all-volunteer force would affect Navy manpower. It was estimated that one-third of those who joined the Navy did so because of the draft. Proposals for Fiscal Year 1972 included a 20 per cent increase in pay for service members with less than two years of service as well as improving programs aimed at making the military more appealing to prospective enlistees. All Hands FEB71

Civilian Clothes Authorized For Shipboard Petty Officers

The CNO authorized first class petty officers to keep civilian clothing aboard ship for wearing ashore on leave and liberty. NavOP Z-63 extended the privilege to all petty officers on all ships. NavOP Z-63 defined appropriate civilian attire to include: coats and trousers, turtlenecks, shirts with ties, ascots or open collars, sports shirts including button-downs, trousers in various colors and materials and well kept shoes and boots of various colors, materials and styles. Ruled out as inappropriate were:

• Clothing with is excessively worn, frayed, soiled or unpresssed.

• Athletic clothing, except when proceeding to and from sports activities.

• Distinctive parts of the uniform worn with civilian clothing. All Hands FEB71

New Rating--Electronic Warfare Technician

The Secretary of the Navy approved a new general rating, Electronic Warfare Technician (EW). The plan called for establishing the rating in the pay grades of E-4 through E9, in September 1971. EW conversion would come primarily from the Radarmen and Electronic Technician ratings by Sailors having experience in electronic warfare. All Hands FEB71

Drill Required for Most 2X6 Reserves

Faced with a serious shortage of petty officers in the Selected Reserve, the Navy changed the policy on drills for enlisted Reservists who completed their active duty. The change required that most 2X6 Reservists were required to perform monthly drills and to participate in two weeks of annual active duty for training. Naval Reservists exempt from the new policy were:

• Those not recommended for reenlistment.

• Have a place of residence not with reasonable commuting distance (50 miles or 1 ½ hours of driving time) of a Naval Reserve training activity.

• Failed to advance to pay grade E-3

• Served on active duty in a combat zone and received hostile fire pay, or who were wounded in a combat zone. All Hands FEB71

Schools for Outstanding Seamen

The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt, in NavOP 01 (2 JAN 71), encouraged assignments to Class “A” schools on a returnable basis and has urged leading petty officers and division officers to request quotas for their best non-rated Sailors. A recent enlisted retention study group had indicated that there was a reluctance to request quotas because the Sailors did not return to the command upon graduation. The policy was changed make allow the return of Sailors after completion of Class “A” school. All Hands FEB71

New Regulations on Hair and Uniforms

The CNO announced in NavOp Z-70 (21 Jan 1971) “The Navy does not prescribe nor distinguish among styles of haircuts, … a wide variety of hair styles, if maintained in a neat manner, is acceptable. The determination of hair styles, within the criteria detailed below is an individual decision.”

Changes to Navy Uniform Regulations, announced in BuPers Notice 1020 (28 Jan 71) included:

“Hair will be neat, clean, trimmed and present a groomed appearance. Hair will not touch the collar except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck and that will present a tapered appearance. Hair in the front will be groomed so that it does not fall below the eyebrows when a person is uncovered and it will not bush out below the band of properly worn headgear. In no case shall the bulk or length of hair interfere with the proper wearing of any military headgear; the exact maximum length of the hair is no longer specified.

If an individual choose to wear sideburns, they will be neatly trimmed. Sideburns will not extend below the bottom of the ear lobe, will be of even width (not flared), and will end with a clean-shaven horizontal line.

If a beard or mustache is worn, it shall be well groomed and neatly trimmed in order not to contribute to a ragged appearance. This policy authorizes and includes van dykes and goatees.”

NavOP Z-70 also authorized the wearing of the blue working jacket, raincoats, and peacoats with the dungaree working uniform but ruled out foul weather or flight jackets. Flight jackets were still authorized for wear with flight suits. The CNO emphasized that dungarees were not a liberty uniform and should only be worn off-base for travel to and from work and local residences, and for “very brief stops for personal necessities.” All Hands MAR71

MCPON Black Relieved by MCPON Whittet

In March 1971, MCPON Delbert Black retired after 30 years of service and was relieved by Master Chief John Whittet who became the second MCPON. All Hands MAR71

Check Out on Leave by Telephone Authorized

BuPers Notice 1050 (18 Jan 71) authorized commanding officers to permit Navy personnel to check in and out on leave by telephone. Prior to the change, Sailors had to be present aboard ship to pick up or turn in leave papers. All Hands MAR71

New Working Uniform issued to recruits and 1st Class Petty Officers and below

Starting in April 1971, the Navy began issuing the new enlisted working blue uniform to recruits. On 1 July, as stocks became available, three sets of the new uniform was provided, at no individual cost, to all 1st class petty officers and below, with more than one year of obligated service remaining. All Hands APR71

Maximum Sea Tour Set At Six Years

NavOP Z-75 and 35 announced the elimination of sea tours over six years, reducing the time at sea for Sailors in over 122 rates and NECs. Additionally, PO2s and above with tours of four to six years were eligible to request reassignment to preferred sea duty when within two years of completing their sea tours. All Hands APR71

New Reenlistment Standards Announced

Effective 1 Jul 1971, PO1s and below with less than eight years of continuous service were required to have 3.0 averages in each performance trait in order to be eligible for reenlistment. For those with more than eight years of continuous service, the effective date of the new standards was set for 1 Jul 1972. All Hands APR71

TCD’s Become PRDs

Effective 1 May 1971, the term “Tour Completion Date (TCD)” was replaced by another called “Projected Rotation Date (PRD)”. The change was announced in BuPers Notice 1306 (29 Jan 71). The change was made to promote better understanding, since many Sailors interpreted TCD as the precise month of transfer. The PRD was adopted to connote a tentative month and year of projected rotation from any activity. All Hands APR71

U.S. Brown-Water Navy Completes Small Boat Turnover to Vietnam

By 1 January 1971, the Navy completed transfer of about 125 small combat boats to the Vietnamese Navy. Most of the U.S. Navy Sailors who manned the boats were relieved and transferred out of the Republic of Vietnam. Those remaining became advisors. Prior to transfer, hundreds of Vietnamese sailors were trained at the Small

Boat School at Treasure Island Naval Station. All Hands MAY71

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Pacific Fleet Position Established

The position of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Fleet (MCPOF) was established, in 1971, on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Selection of the first MCPOF was made from over 800 master chiefs assigned to Pacific Fleet ships, aircraft squadrons and shore stations. All Hands MAY71

MCPOs on E-8/E-9 Selection Boards

Beginning in June 1971, the membership of senior and master chief selection boards was modified to include both officers and master chief petty officers as fully participating members. The change was expected to benefit the Navy by providing top-notch enlisted experience to the selection process. All Hands MAY71

Social Security Numbers Required On All Forms

Effective in May 1971, service numbers and Social Security numbers were required on all forms and reports involving Navy personnel. The use of both identification numbers was intended to lessen difficulties involved in conversion of personnel records from service numbers to Social Security numbers. All Hands MAY71

Uniform Changes Affect Officers and CPOs

Officers and Chief Petty Officers experienced changes to their uniform requirements. It was announced that on 1 July 1973, service dress khaki would become optional for all officers and chiefs and would be abolished on 1 July 1975. However, all working and tropical khaki uniforms would be retained. The service dress white uniform for CPOs would also be phased out and abolished on the same timetable as the service dress khaki uniform. All Hands JUN71

Shepard and Gravely Among 49 New Admirals Selected

Among the 49 captains selected for promotion to rear admiral in April 1971 were two firsts. America’s first man in space, Captain Alan B. Sheppard, became the first astronaut to become an admiral. Captain Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., became the Navy’s first African American admiral. All Hands JUN71

Tropical Khaki Long, With Ribbons Approved for Officers and Chiefs

The CNO approved the wearing of Tropical Khaki Long, with ribbons, and worsted trousers for officers and chief petty officers. In the past, tropical Khaki Long was considered a working uniform and ribbons were not worn. Under the change, Tropical Khaki Long became equivalent to Tropical White Long. All Hands JUN71

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command (MCPOC) Announced by MCPON

MCPON Whittet announced that twenty-three master chief petty officers would be assuming the position of Master Chief Petty Officers of the Command --MCPOC as it was called at the time. The men selected were to become the Senior Enlisted Advisors for the fleet, type and force commands throughout the Navy. They were to be addressed as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command (MCPOC). It was also announced that the MCPOCs and the MCPON would drop their rating designation begin wearing a new specialty mark (a five point star) on their rating badges.

The twenty-three commands affected were: Pacific Fleet, Atlantic Fleet, Naval Forces Europe, Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet, Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, Naval Air Training Command, Amphibious Force Pacific Fleet, Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet, Submarine force Pacific Fleet, Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet, Naval Communications Command, Cruiser/Destroyer Force Pacific Fleet, Cruiser/Destroyer Force Atlantic Fleet, Mine Force, Service Force Atlantic Fleet, Service Force Pacific Fleet, Naval Security Group Command, Supply Corps, Medical Corps, Civil Engineering Corps, Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Naval Training Center San Diego, and Naval Training Center Orlando. All Hands JUL71

Craftmaster Insignia Approved

A new insignia was approved to recognize the skill and responsibilities of Navymen who served as craftmasters of small, independent units. The insignia was authorized for Navymen on active duty that were serving as boat captain of certain small, self-propelled craft and held on to the following NECs: BM-0161, BM-0162, BM-0163, BM-0165, QM-2015 or QM-0216. In addition U.S. Navy advisors who served in “in charge” positions, and officers and men whose units were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy before they acquired six months eligibility as officer in charge, boat captain, etc., were also authorized to wear the small craft insignia. All Hands AUG71

Convenience Stores for Navy Families

The Navy Supply Systems Command announced that Navy Exchanges would soon be opening “convenience stores “stocked with a basic line of foodstuffs, and remain open during evening and weekend hours. All Hands AUG71

COs Authorized to Grant 96-Hour Liberty

Commanding Officers were authorized to grant liberty of up to 96 hours for special occasions or in special circumstances. Ninety-Six hour liberty was to include two consecutive non-working days. Ninety-Six hour liberty was authorized to be granted under the following circumstances:

• As a reward for exceptional performance.

• As compensation for extensive or unusual working hours.

• As compensation for long or arduous deployments.

• As compensation for men on ships undergoing overhaul away from home ports.

• Where normal liberty is inadequate due to isolated location.

• As a traffic safety consideration for long weekends or avoidance of peak traffic periods. All Hands OCT71

“PNA” Points for Advancement Multiple under Study

The Naval Examining Center, Great Lakes, Il., began studying the possibility of granting advancement multiple credit to Sailors who passed an advancement test but were not advanced due to quota limitations (PNA). All Hands OCT71

PO3s May Use Petty Officers’ Messes and Clubs

The CNO announced in NAVOP 152 the plans were being drawn up that would authorize 3rd class petty officers to patronize PO1&2 Messes. Admiral Zumwalt that “as a means of underscoring the responsible status of PO3s, and to provide them with an additional privilege in recognition of their position within the naval organization, PO1&2 and SPO open messes will be redesignated as petty officers’ messes open, such sections of EM clubs will become petty officer sections.” All Hands NOV71

USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) Decommissioned

USS Shangri-La CVS 38 was decommissioned for the third time in 27 years at the Boston Navy Yard and towed to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. All Hands NOV71

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-s/cv38.htm

USS Shangri-La (CV-38, later CVA-38 and CVS-38), 1944-1988 USS Shangri-La, a 27,100-ton Ticonderoga class aircraft carrier, was built at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia. Commissioned in September 1944, she went to the Pacific early in 1945 to join the war against Japan. Her combat operations began in late April, with an attack on Okino Daito Jima, followed by strikes on Okinawa and the Japanese home islands over the next four months. During much of that time, she served as flagship of Task Forces 38 and 58. After Japan's surrender, Shangri-La remained in the western Pacific until October 1945. The carrier was active in 1946 and into 1947, participating in the Operation "Crossroads" atomic bomb tests and making a cruise to Australia. She was decommissioned in November 1947 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Recommissioned in May 1951, Shangri-La served with the Atlantic Fleet until November 1952, when she decommissioned to receive a combined SCB-27C and SCB-125 modernization. She had been reclassified CVA-38 in October 1952, and, when the upgrade work was completed and she recommissioned in January 1955, the carrier featured a greatly changed appearance, with angled flight deck, enclosed bow, new island, steam catapults and many other improvements. Shangri-La spent the next five years with the Pacific Fleet, making several cruises with the Seventh Fleet in the Far East.

Shangri-La transferred to the Atlantic in March 1960, and began a series of deployments to the Mediterranean Sea early in the next year, alternating with Second Fleet service nearer to the U.S. She was reclassified CVS-38 in June 1969, in preparation a new anti-submarine warfare support role, but continued to carry an attack air group for her final overseas cruise. This voyage, beginning in March 1970, took Shangri-La through the south Atlantic and Indian Ocean to take part in Vietnam combat operations. Upon return to the U.S. east coast in December 1970, she began inactivation preparations, leading to a final decommissioning in July 1971 and lay up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. USS Shangri-La was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in July 1982 and sold for scrapping in August 1988.