[1 - Since once a Marine, always a Marine, the only difference
between "retired" Marines is if they retired before or after the
20 needed to rate the pension....

I usually say, Marines on active duty and Marines no longer on active
duty.

I never had a set of dress blues, either.

Well, you would have, post-Korea. Blues were part of an
Officer's required kit, pilot or otherwise. ;-

Now that you jog my memory, I do remember the day when an order
arrived from Headquarters Marine Corps. Subject: Swagger Sticks.

Para 1 said something like "On and after (date), all officers will
carry swagger sticks."

Para 2 said something like "Swagger Sticks will be 18 inches long,
3/8ths of an inch in diameter, covered with cordovan leather........"

Para 3 said something about not carrying an umbrella or a bag of
groceries while carrying a Swagger Stick.

Whoever started reading it aloud to a group of us in the Squadron
office began to giggle, and eventually we all howled with laughter.

That must have been a bout 1952 or 53. If anyone has a copy of that
order, it would be a service to mankind's merriment if he were to post
it here.

vince norris
P.S. I never owned a swagger stick, either.