Fantasy Uniforms

[Tretov]

Here are som clips from a known TV series about naval lawyers. In this episode they are dispatched to a naval excercise in the Black Sea involving Russian and US naval forces.

Take a look at the "russian" uniforms.

On this pic, take a look at the visor caps. The two guys are supposed to be lieutnants in the Russian navy. However, they have very impressive marshals and generals caps.

The man in front with ribbons + medals are the ships captain (has captain shoulderboards). However, the man behind to the left is his XO, but he has Lt. Col. rank...

The medals: Veteran of Labor and Medal for Labor Distinction.

Note the impressive rank on his arm. Nearly as much gold as Admiral Flota SSSR.

Finally. The "XO".

Maybe not necessary to mention, but the russians were the bad guys in this one, and the US the heroes.

The clips are taken from JAG, broadcasted October 31st on Swedish television, TV3.

[skipper1939]

Sorry that I'm late picking up on this. It is truly amazing how that program gets their U.S. uniforms so accurately portrayed and even to how they should be worn, and fails so dismally as soon as a foreign officer enters. Of course, they have a U.S. navy/marine advisor present at all times (for P.R purposes, once supposes - in exchange for access to the ships and planes).

They had one episode where a post-Soviet senior naval officer arrived on a U.S. ship in the Adriatic to complain about a U.S. aircraft that had shot up a column of Russian peacekeepers in the former Yugoslavia. To visit the U.S. carrier to protest he was wearing a Soviet white parade uniform with a brocade belt on!

Well, nothing much has changed in Hollywood. Foreign uniforms just have to look foreign and that seems to make everyone happy, including the U.S. navy advisor.

Dr. Bob

[HuliganRS]

The officer in the 4th pic is not XO.
He's a friend of Cmdr. Harmon Rabb. In this episode Rabb was invited to a Russian Akula class submarine for a demonstration of a new Shkval torpedo to the western degnitaries. While Lt. Col. Sarah McKenzie is on a Los Angeles class submarine following the Russian sub to monitor them because the last time this torpedo was tested it turned and destroyed the Russian sub it came from...

In this episode the Russian unofrms are totally wrong, even the enlisted men are wearing US style caps and overalls.
There are other episodes where the uniforms are right on the money. I believe the outside consultant might have been changed.

About the show:

JAG (military-speak for Judge Advocate General) is an adventure drama about this elite legal wing of officers trained as lawyers who investigate, prosecute and defend those accused of crimes in the military, including murder, treason and terrorism. Navy Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb (David James Elliott), an ace pilot turned lawyer, and Marine Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie (Catherine Bell), a beautiful by-the-book officer, are colleagues who hold the same high standards but find themselves clashing when they choose different routes to get to the same place. The unmistakable chemistry between them must be held at bay for professional reasons as they traverse the globe together with a single mission: to search for and discover the truth.
Helping them with their mission is Navy Lt. Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux), a lawyer who often surprises his superiors with the breadth of his knowledge. Running the show is their boss, no-nonsense Admiral Chegwidden (John M. Jackson), a former Navy Seal who has the utmost confidence in Harm, Mac and Bud.

Rusty.

[yolkin]

Ok, Ok,

I admit it....

I am a JAGhead like Rusty...

This is a great show, and I did not realize that it is in a world wide syndication.

Nice.

Eric

[skipper1939]

Two of my primary reference points for any military show or movie is how they salute and how their hair is cut. I spent my first nine months at a military university doing little more than having my hair cut and learning how to salute in the crispest possible manner.

Although some JAG shows have been a little far fetched, they never fail to give proper salutes an keep their hair cut (rather to the disadvantage of Catherine Bell). And they are always worth watching.

It is a great show and probably holds or will hold the duration record for a serious service-related show. I think it gets the essence of the American armed forces just right.

My daughter (former USAF O-3, now a professor of psychology) does not watch it (probably because of Catherine Bell) my son (USAF O-5, U.S. Embassy, Cairo) would not miss it (probably because of Catherine Bell).

Had North Korean submariners on tonight. Sorry, I don't do North Korean navy.

Dr. Bob

[Tretov]

Originally posted by HuliganRS
The officer in the 4th pic is not XO.
He's a friend of Cmdr. Harmon Rabb. In this episode Rabb was invited to a Russian Akula class submarine for a demonstration of a new Shkval torpedo to the western degnitaries.
Rusty.

Actually, in this specific program, he (the guy on 4th pic) was XO on the russian ship.

/Patrik

[kameli]

What means "XO" ?



Jussi-Pekka

[HuliganRS]

Here's some more information...

Iron Coffin, February 20, 2001

As Reviewed by Rosepetal

As Reviewed by Michele Blackburn

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By Rosepetal

In this episode, Captain Alex Volkonav comes to the US to investigate the destruction of a Russian ship and he enlists Harm's help in doing so. When he comes to JAG, he brings Mac a rose and jokes around with both. We have seen Alex in three other previous episodes and I personally really enjoy seeing him.





Congresswoman Bobbi Latham is again back in this episode and she enlists Mac's help with another submarine. Mac will be investigating whether it is a smart move or not to put female officers aboard a submarine. When Mac and Harm get ready to deploy, you can see how much Mic and Renee hate this idea of them leaving but it doesn't really make sense seeing how they are not going on assignment together but on two different submarines.

The Russian ship that Alex and Harm are on figure out that there missile is the cause of the previous ships destruction and Mac somehow manages to save the day without giving away any US secrets to the Russians. Harm, Mac and Alex come back unscathed to find Mic and Renee there waiting for them to arrive. I loved the look of surprise on Harms and Mac's faces when they come back.


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By Michele Blackburn

This is the third JAG episode that has taken place on a submarine. The first being the first season episode Shadow, the second being the very popular fourth season episode Silent Service and now tonight's episode Iron Coffin.

Captain Volkonov makes his second appearance to investigate the destruction of the USS Vladivostok. He shows his charming self by bringing Mac a rose and Harm news on his brother. Harm is put on the USS Minsk to check out the Russians while Bobbi Latham puts Mac on the USS Watertown (Submarine from Silent Service) to report on how moral would be for women to be put on board. This is similar to the first season episode Cowboy & Cossacks. The only thing that is different is that Mac is on a Russian ship and Harm is on the American in that episode.

This whole thing seems to bother Renée and Mic. Renée especially. Since both of them are gone, Mic has tickets to a Symphony and he takes Renée. That was sweet of him wasn't. After the show is over, on the way back to their car they talk about Mac and Harm. Both of them are afraid to know if Harm and Mac had a thing before they came along.

Which brings me back to Harm and Mac. Mac saved Harm's life and the lives of the Russian submariners by repeating what she overheard said by the American submariners. This proved that the Russian ships were bugged and that what the Americans were saying about the Russian torpedo being faulty was true. Mac saved the day and everyone's life. The Admiral greeted them as they got off the elevator. They talked as they walked into the bull pen and one of the things said was from Harm. He said, "I always know where you are." This says a lot about the Mac/Harm relationship. It says that they both care enough about each other to know what's going on in each other's lives.

Mic and Renée met them when they got into the bull pen like families waiting for their loved ones who are coming home from war. Harm and Mac both seem very surprised that they are there and they both stare at each other as Mic and Renée are hugging them

SHIPPER ALERT: Next week's episode is going to be a really good Harm/Mac episode, but will be postponed in most places because of basketball. Please check your local listings and find it.

Guest star: Anne-Marie Johnson (In the Heat of the Night)

[skipper1939]

Hey, why don't you navy types explain what an Executive Officer (XO) does on a submarine?

My naval experience is limited to a two-week exchange cruise on the Hornet in 1960! What I remember best is the marine guards screaming at the prisoners on board like they had finally cracked up. Never been on an active submarine.

Dr. Bob

[Tretov]

The XO (executive officer) is usually the 2nd highest on the ship (with the ship captain as superior officer).

/Patrik