Fun fact: What ultimately led to Nixon's resignation, the hours and hours of footage and recordings used against him, helped show the usage of the uniforms through his term in office. Music by: Kevin MacLeod
Honestly I don’t think these uniform are bad, they looked better with the typical American style police cap but I think people looking back on them fail to realize that the uniforms were supposed to be flashy, Nixon for all his issues that people may have with him tried very hard to rebrand the public image of the government, during his presidency. His time in office was when we started seeing the iconic “worm” NASA logo and other similar “groovy” logos for other agencies. A lot of the branding that we associate with 1970s comes from the redesigns Nixon pushed for to help to make the government look more modern to attract younger people into politics. Certainly can’t hate him for trying to fix a problem we are still facing in 2023 that being old out of touch politicians.
I think it's the tunic. One thing to have a center row of buttons with a standing collar like the early police had but I think the double breast design with buttons across the chest and the aiguillette was too much. Now I think of it, it looks similar to Soviet military uniforms. Heck, it would have made more sense to make the Keystone Cops style uniforms complete with bowler hats was the ceremonial uniform.
It's the tunic. It looks like it came straight from a May Day Parade in Moscow. The US stopped doing military parades in the 1950's due to being a little too similar to the Soviet May Day parades...
@@theotherohlourdespadua1131 while I heard the “bad look” reason for no military parades, I heard it’s more logistics. American streets don’t really accommodate tanks. And I really wouldn’t say we don’t do military parades any more; it’s just been downscaled to the local Guard or Reserve unit showing up for a Veterans Day parade.
Once they replaced the marching bad cap with a more modern white police visor cap, I think it looked great. Double breasted tunics have been a part of American culture since potentially its conception.
Yes, but modern dress uniforms are largely single breasted, with a lapel collar (not a mandarin collar), and no cordage and especially no gold piping. Nixon's uniforms look more like cadet uniforms. The only thing missing is the scarlet sash.
@newdefsys Back in the Civil War Era, officer uniforms were double breasted while, enlisted uniforms were single. I think it'd be cool to bring that back
@@jeffbenton6183 Yes, but the White House Police is a law enforcement unit, not a military unit. Police have their own uniform history and customs and the trend has been single breasted with lapel collars and a necktie for a long time now, even back in the Nixon era.
@@newdefsys That's fair. When I was posting that reply, I was really only thinking about military uniforms (even though the video that I just watched was about a police uniform - weird how my mind works sometimes)
I think a special outfit for public appearances would be cool. It'd be cool if they were designed around the revolutionary war uniforms, a longer coat could be useful to hide smgs and ballistic vests. And in my humble opinion it isn't necessary to conceal those in the presidents "main" guard as everyone already knows whos protecting him.
Sure a ceremonial uniform for the WH police makes sense but I'm not sure about that get up. As for the Revolutionary War getups, I believe there is an Army band unit in DC that wear Revolutionary War uniforms. It also wouldn't be necessary to modify for modern weapons or armor; there's usually a tactical unit in the shadows for that.
I like the idea of a uniform for formal events, nothing wrong with putting on a little show for visiting dignitaries/government officials. The uniforms actually look pretty decent, just change the holsters to a modern design and maybe change some colors. Maybe a dark blue tunic with white pants? Just an idea.
It was something different. White uniforms were never too common in the U.S., so it definitely gave them a unique look that I think is suiting for White House guards.
The criticism is unwarranted imo, the uniforms are objectively not more ridiculous than the Swiss Guard or the Grenadier Guards, which we've come to recognize and respect for their tradition. The US with its relatively short history is light on real historical traditions, but if they hadn't pulled the plug on these uniforms they'd have had a history of over a half a century by now. A pretty solid foundation for a tradition where there is none in our timeline.
A sensible critique of the critique, though I can think of a potential counterpoint: These uniform traditions are usually associated not only with the raw passage of time, but with moments of pride in national history and the evolution from the practical to the ceremonial. The Swiss Guard uniforms, for example, evolved from real combat equipment of the 16th century. Further, the American uniform tradition, in keeping with national themes of citizenship and equality, have long been simpler and more narrowly practical, even at the highest level of dress, when compared with their European counterparts. This uniform looked 'silly' to Americans who have been socially trained to disdain overly elaborate or 'European-style' dress. I could be wrong, maybe people would have come around to this.
@@masahige2344no I think your response track's it would be no different to if the prime minister's of Canada, Australia or New Zealand implemented similar honour guard style uniforms. While sure none may have the same day to day prominence in the diplomatic circles we all share similar historical backgrounds been European origin but known for a general disdain for pageantry, European flair and trend's in fashion especially flamboyant ones. Plus ofcourse we all have a similar national 'age' I.E. period from first European mass mitigations and formations of a countries unique identifing characteristics. The uniforms just don't track with the social norms especially outside of military force.
@@DanielVisOneCade And even then, the Commonwealth nations retain some British uniform traditions (some diplomatic uniforms, Guards Regiments, etc.) whereas the U.S. has almost always had simple dress uniforms by contemporary standards.
But were not Swiss, were not Brittish, were American, we don't have traditions to up hold like they do. Hell if anything lets give them the Minuteman uniform, and the tri-horn hat and all if you want to bring up those two.
@@anthonyhayes1267 I think a kepi can get away with having a colour that matches the tunic. I think the bigger thing here is that the mandarin collar works better with the shako, whereas a peaked cap would be more appropriate with a turned-down collar
They shouldn't have referred to the new caps has "peaked'. The caps weren't replaced by a white 'peaked cap' (which is round) - but rather a white '8 point police cap' (which is octagonal).
I personally think that the uniform actually looks pretty good when they wear the White Peaked Hat. It’s just that they look kinda tacky when wearing the Black Leather Hat.
I'm actually old enough to remember these, dang it. The general reaction to these was *much* worse than Julian knows about. Nixon-not a popular man with the left leaning liberal press-was ridiculed as a comic-opera wanna be dictator in numerous newspaper editorials nationwide. Most people considered the US Marine guard at the White house to be the bit of color and the "household ceremonial troops", if you will. The Capitol Police uniform change had certain people speculating about Nixon wanting his own "Praetorian Guard".
cammobunker, do some research. Nixon was not forced from office by the "left leaning liberal press". His own Republican Party turned against him because he was a crook.
Interesting you mention the marine guard. While watching the video I was thinking - the US military already has quite fashionable ceremonial dress, so why not just use a military honor guard like almost everyone else does?
Effectively those uniforms had a certain...."South American/Bananas" republic feeling, they were out of place in the USA, where military uniforms in politics weren't so popular. Fun fact about the shakos in US Army service, this kind of hat was issued in early 1850 to replace the classical service cap mod. 1839 , but was wholesome hated by servicemen and officers, that often replaced it with felt hats, until the new Hardee ones were issued in 1855.
The Hardeethe Hardee hats were also quite popular. It's kind of funny to me that one of the distinguishing features of the "Black Hat Brigade" (Also known as the Iron Brigade) was that they were actually wearing the official uniform hat. Everyone else was using a kepi or something else entirely.
I was unaware of these uniforms Thanks for making this video Though my favorite videos are always of different navies "drown me" blue uniforms or like the paratrooper "shoot me when I land" camos
It might have worked a white uniform for summer dress. Back then all US military services had white summer uniforms unlike today where only the Navy and Marines do.
I remember seeing Gen Colin Powell US Army wearing a all white Army class A uniform but as AR670.1 says 📂 Generals by rank can alter, wear or change any uniform, carry weapons, have insignia as required.
@@DavidLLambertmobile It was regulation. The US Army phased out it’s white dress uniform in 2007. The Marines in 00 and the USAF in 1990 under Adm… I mean General McPeak (if you don’t get the joke just Google the McPeak uniform.) it used to be that you had two summer and two winter service and Dress uniforms.
The Marines no longer do. Been gone for over a decade. And before that, it was for officers only. Enlisted Marines have never worn a white dress uniform of any kind.
I can see why the red uniform did not take off consider might feel a bit red coat and I dont think a British colonial uniform that was worn when fighting the American would ring well whit many.
F*ck practicality. If I were president, I'd make the White House guards wear Continental Army uniforms, muskets and all. Nixon's uniforms didn't look too bad. Probably should've just went with the peaked cap from get-go to avoid all the marching band comparisons. Almost like Imperial Russian Cossacks, who also wore white. I'm surprised nobody made a comment on that.
Yea, I’ve been doing marching band throughout high school and college, and I personally thought they looked really good. I guess band nerds are built different
I saw the thumbnail and thought those uniforms were the DRIP. Obviously people's tastes back then were different but it was probably the public's negative opinion of Nixon that did them in.
---- REALLY!? . . . Do you know U.S. history about monarchical abuse from a King? That was THE SUBJECT, not the uniforms, not the garments per se; Americans rejected the anti-democratic meaning of the uniform.
@@stoutyyyy --- REALLY!? | Back in the day, most every ADULT recognised the anti-democratic personality of King Richard the Nixon. Those uniforms were very much in the tradition of monarchy, y'know: The Rule of One Man. Personally, as an ex-soldier, I like the uniforms, but they are exaggeratedly Praetorian.
@@marianotorrespico2975 Nixon himself was certainly undemocratic, but plenty of democracies have guards in ceremonial uniforms. Don't let your (justified) hatred of the man cloud your judgement.
The biggest irony by far is that the country with the biggest military budget and militarization also has the shitiest uniforms for non-combat duties. You would think that they could spend more of that money on fancy pomp and circumstances uniforms and activities at home than spending it all to bomb other countries. The British has a tiny military, but a giant arsenal of uniforms for all kinds of different ceremonies. That would be a much more noble pursuit of your military than just using it for purely killing others
I remember the nickname for them being "The Imperial Guard Uniform." They suggested Mr. Nixon's empire building notions. (I missed the great unveiling, as I was wearing only jungle fatigues in one of Mr. Nixon's "Peace with Honor" delays in LBJ's American War in Vietnam.)
I think I saw some articles talking about this shortly after the Space Force's proposed designs for uniforms were shown off. Fortunately the worst of them were only proposals and the final thing is at least nowhere near as OTT as these.
The only thing that got me about the proposed Space Force dress uniform was that they had a standing collar that opened to showed a collared shirt with necktie. It's almost like they couldn't settle on either a standing collar or suit and tie and combined them.
You don't need to look to far back into recorded history to see backhanded comment's and snide remarks should have been included in Maslow's hierarchy of needs because there not hard to find. People have been throwing mud back up hill at their >insert authority figures here< basically as long as they could form fist. 😂
The greatest flaw of these garments is that they did not fit any then-current meaning or use within the United States. The White House has long had small, ceremonial detachments of soldiers and sailors stationed there, each with their existing dress uniforms. Even in the archival footage used here, one can easily spot the Marines in their distinct (and splendid) uniforms. For the White House Police to suddenly have a new flashy outfit that looked both archaic and foreign, its just a little weird: the comparisons with marching band uniforms was spot-on (even before the Iowans showed up). Adding to the strangeness, these uniforms were rarely used, usually only for state visits.
Good think you said "then-current," I was just about to conclude that the 1970s garments had a 2020s meaning in the 1970s. You really dodged that then-bullet.
There's nothing wrong with being a little "flashy." Obviously, ceremonial uniforms are exactly that, CERMONIAL and meant to display a little pride in your organization and the history it represents. The Marine Corps dress uniform is a good example of this, or the new Army "greens and pinks". Sometimes we Americans are overly obsessed with being "functional and plain" as if that were some kind of virtue. It's like we're latter day Puritans all dressed in black and afraid to express any distinctiveness. Maybe these weren't great uniforms, but I applaud the effort to bring a little "esprit de corps" to an organization that might otherwise fade in the background.
Because while the British were lining up for Volly Shots in their red mass produced uniforms, THE AMERICANS, were digging through the mud and tree lines defying conventional warfare. We didn't have the textile industry the British Empire had, we didn't have the amount of Arms, ships, equipment, hell a lot of Minutemen died due to freezing at Valley Forge due to a lack of shoes. We made due with what we had. Functional and Plain created out country! Look at the civil war era Uniforms, there gray or blue coats. Theres nothing fancy about them. Now Mustaches those were fancy.... Need to bring back beads into the US military.
@@EnterpriseC14 That's actually a modern myth. Most Continental forced during the Revolution fought using the same line tactics the British were using. And uniformity was sought whenever it could be achieved. Interestingly, during both the American Revolution and the Civil War, there were quite a few militia units made up of well-off men that wore elaborate and "fancy" uniforms.
@@POCKET-SAND Yaaa you know why SOME soldiers in the Civil War era have those fancy uniforms? THEY PAID FOR THEM THEM SELVES. Alot of the time to join the military, you had to pay for your rifle, and uniform out of pocket.
Seems like the comment about the uniforms being “a little stormtrooper” may either be from more recently (Star Wars didn’t come out until 1977) or referring to a different kind of “Stormtrooper” altogether - either Nazis or German WW1 specialist infantry.
Personally, I like them, I think they looked nice the shako was a very good touch to contrast the all white uniforms, and, I just want to add. For all the people who thought they looked ostentatious, yes, they do, they are "Dress Uniforms" "Uniforms for special occasions" they are kind of supposed to look that way. Of course, I happen to like 19th century aesthetics, so some of this is probably just my own personal taste. Loved this video UniformHistory, I had never even heard of these, so thanks for bringing them to my attention.
I only heard a brief blip around 15yr ago, early 2000s how many in the NCR thought Nixon & his staff were 🥜. None of the US Capital Police 083 wanted these "opera costumes"
Flashy uniforms are cool af. Why does everything need 10 billion cargo pockets and tactical bing bongs. They looked cool, and what’s with the “looks too European” bs. The US is a European country and it has been European fashioncentric up until WW2
The criticisms were leveled by EVERYONE, dude... I was there. Servicemen, especially those returning from Vietnam, openly mocked these circus-looking outfits.
I think people are missing the real trouble here which was optics. America revolted against monarchical Europe, so embracing an outwardly palace-like and imperial dress in the White House was simply a bad look for an office that was explicitly not supposed to be a King.
To think that Nixon went through 2 controversies. One that seemingly made him a fool in the eyes of Americans and had a cultural impact long after the event. The other one being Watergate
The fact of the matter is that the WH security force, no matter what it is called, can't be spared anymore for ceremonial functions and needs to be on the job providing security.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I think the uniforms were kinda nice. Based on the comments from the time, I honestly think a lot more of the criticism was to be politically contrarian than anything.
I'm actually shocked that people disliked these. The militaristic and almost 'dictatorial' aesthetic is still really cool. Old traditional and ceremonial uniforms look so much better than the modern & practical ones. A white double breasted tunic, a peaked cap and an old fashioned tunic is much more fitting than the generic & ugly vests and belts that guards wear today.
It was just the biased media wanting to do whatever they could to make the president look bad. Some things never change. My advice is to take whatever "journalists" say and toss it right in the trash.
That makes me mad. Those uniforms look so good, especially with the cap later on. America is too hung up on little things being functional instead of traditional and regal
My buddy was sent to D.C. due to the capital riots a lady in her car tried ramming his checkpoint. The secret service came out of nowhere and took her and the car and in his words “disappeared around the corn” dudes are legit
A buddy of mine was sent, too. Said he slept in a parking garage one night, ate a burger inside the deliberation chamber of the supreme court and slept in a justice's chair the next.
I like that in context the White House Police should be as civilian as possible and practical to reflect the principles of the office of president of the United States - an elected, civilian government that is in touch with the people. A flashy uniform implies a huge separation of between government and people. Plus, being protected by the people rather than a distinct elite guard kind of cements the legitimacy of the president.
Like others, I don’t see an issue with them in a ceremonial capacity like how they were used (especially the second revision, with the officer cap). There are several white uniforms in the military (US Marines, I think) but I know many prefer the sleek black design which serves as a very highlighting background for all the usual military decorations, ornaments and various accouterment. Let me add though… wearing thickish black clothing during summers in the US is very uncomfortable and there’s occasional videos of ceremonial guards passing out while wearing such uniforms (especially as temps go up). I can picture Nixon ranting and raving about all the “uncultured media hawks” when all those uniform dissing articles were coming out. Lol Side note.. I feel sorry for those in Florida that have to stand outside in such dark uniforms during summer. It’s hard enough to stand in a suit under some shade, especially the past couple years. It’s a reminder that just because something is tradition, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider tweaks for comfortability/safety/significantly warmer weather aspects.
Why was that uniform hated,it's very reminiscent of the imperial russian uniforms(the US's traditional ally)?.(i remembered the old colored photos of tsar nicky)
You've answered your own question in the first sentence. They *are* very reminiscent of Imperial palace uniforms, which in a democracy and a republic is what we call a red flag.
Could you make a video about the uniforms of the polar bear expedition of WWI I read that there one of rarest WWI uniforms you can find not sure if that’s true
I still have the issue of Newsweek that had an entertaining article on this topic. The photo of the Secret Service Guards in their unusual uniform was captioned, "Shades of Ruritania?" !
Did Spiro Agnew have something to do with the new White House Guard uniforms? Or I may just be remembering cartoons of that time which for some reason showed him in an elaborate white dress uniform.
As an idea for another video, i think it would be wise for you to look at specifically the uniforms, gear and camouflage used by the Ganado militia from the original Resident Evil 4. I've myself been wondering whether those were actual former Spanish military troops now brainwashed, or just that the island they were on was full of ex-Spanish military equipment that they all took for themselves. Either way, i quite favored their gear.
The idea of a specific Presidential or US government ceremonial guard with a uniquely Anerican uniform is a good idea. I personally favor the idea of a Revolutionary War era Continental Army uniform, along the lines of the Old Guard fife and drum corps, which in the tradition of the period wears reversed colors. A dark blue coat, faced in red, with white breeches and vest and black boots ( or stockinged and buckled shoes) with gold buttons and trim for officers, brass for NCOs and pewter for enlisted. Topped with a tricorn cocked hat, with a red, white, and blue cockade, white trim for enlisted, silver for NCOs, and gold for Officers. Soldiers carry a reproduction French Charleville flintlock musket with bayonet, NCOs carry the traditional pike or sponson, and officers period sword. I think it would nicely represent our nation and pay homage to the brave soldiers who fought and suffered so much so that The United States of America could be born. Just a thought
I think a lot of the hate comes from hate of Nixon, not hate of the uniforms because really there is nothing wrong with them. Nearly all of the negative comments you listed were shots at Nixon and not the uniform itself. If Carter or Ford had implemented these, they would likely still be in use today.
Great video, I had never heard of these. These are impressively anti-republican (note the lower-case R). What the hell were they thinking, putting those up around the president? Of course he was compared to a dictator!
They should have kept them, my guess is the vast majority of criticism was just because it happened under Nixon. If they introduced them under Kennedy the press would have loved them.
What an embarrassing uniform, downright silly compared to the Army and Air Force officers you see in the photos alongside the prez. A point of correction: that high school band-looking shako really looks nothing like what German police ever wore... I'm amazed the narrator kept trying to make that a connection. It comes closest to the Hungarian honor guard caps.
Viva El Presidente! Very Banana Republic. I love the tailor's idea of putting the White House Police in red tunics. He really didn't know much history did he? If they really wanted to look historical, why not something based on the uniforms of the Revolutionary War? Britain's Guards Division combine Ceremonial Dress with modern weapons.
5:33 3rd reich?!?! Prussia and German Stormtroopers are NOT the 3rd reich. Prussia is the name of the German Empire, and Storntrooper were the elite German ground forces
That's...still not correct. The German Empire formed _under_ Prussia but was not Prussia. The _Sturmtruppen_ were the Imperial German military's elite forces who, as their name implied, specialized in storming enemy trenches. Their name was later coopted by the _Sturmabteilung_ of the Nazi Party-literally, "storm troops" or "storm division."
Most fashion, designs, buildings of the late 1960s and early 70s were big mistakes. Just like asbestos was a building material used back then and even today is still an issue when renovations of buildings are done.
I am glad those got axed long before my time there. We even eventually lost the gold stripe. The current Class A uniform is much better, resembling what Tom Hanks wore in The Green Mile.
