 The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, was enacting radical changes, via his "Z-grams", to long-standing Navy policies and traditions.It fell to MCPON Whittet to solicit input and feedback from the enlisted force to the CNO and Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) regarding these changes, such as the removal of the traditional jumper uniform "crackerjacks" from the junior enlisted seabag, and replacement with the jacket and tie uniform worn by commissioned officers and Chief Petty Officers.Grooming standards were relaxed; sailors were permitted to grow beards, and the maximum hair length was increased.