The cause of the problem was retired senior officers showing up in current mess dress without obtaining permission. While it is my understanding that the officer commission is for life, still, once you are out, you are out. Perhaps the senior officers might invest in a legion jacket to display their hardware.
It would seem like the protagonists are saying that the rule could be applied to navy personal from decades gone by, with obsolete vintage uniforms. That would not appear to be the intent nor aim of the directive.
I will occasionally wear period uniform with some of the WW2 vehicles when on parade. It adds to the event. So to that end I am somewhat biased towards the veterans with their obsolete uniforms and badges.
As to the wearing of surplus current uniforms from the local army surplus, the criminal code has an offense for those trying to impersonate a commissioned officer. I have seen instances where this was used, and you usually had to wonder what the offender was thinking.
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