Our Story

It all started with a podcast (dgutspodcast.com). I wanted to create a leadership development resource for junior Sailors and based it on a crazy monologue my former COB (Chief of the Boat) would do over the 1MC just before field day. He used the story of James Lawrence’s last words designed to inspire his crew to “fight the ship until it sank” to create a sense of ownership. Every day, every inch, every bolt, every dust bunny was OUR SHIP. DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.

Separately, I’ve always been disappointed at the void that exists in Naval pride gear. When I walk through the Navy Exchange or scroll through some of the brands I see on social media, I cringe. It’s not for me and I’m not wearing that in public. So this is my effort to fix that problem. We’re proud people, Sailors. Submariners. Airdales. Seabees. We WANT to show that pride, but we don’t want to be a meme with a high and tight, knife handing Sailor’s souls out of their body. We want to be proud and feel comfortable and cool and some semblance of normal outside of uniform. And that’s what I’m going for here. Pride gear that you will actually wear in public.

So, here we go. Thanks for coming along.

“THIS IS OUR SHIP! DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP!”