But can I still call my favorite small boat helm "Boats?" Sigh.
The little things that made the sea services quirky and unique are being dissolved. No doubt I echo naval officers of a century ago, or any time in history, bemoaning change, perhaps complaining about my big gold fringed epaulets being replaced by shoulder boards, or some other tradition going away, such as Rocks and Shoals.
I enjoyed being able to look at a Sailor's sleeve, instantly recognize his/her rating badge and name tag, and courteously call them "YN1 Finarkle," as a mark of appreciation and respect for their skill set and rank. Not just a generic "Petty Officer Bilgewater." When a team became tight through hours of watch standing and operations, and I became, with respect, "Loo, ma'am, can we bring you anything from the mess decks?" - it was all part of our particular dialect that made us part of the club.
Various ratings have been retired, renamed, merged. There has certainly been a move afoot in recent years to blandify (I just made that up) the distinctive elements of various service traditions.
One thing does not change: the inevitability of change in the armed forces. And vets like me mumbling, "well, in MY day...."
Semper Gumby.