NavyDEP - The Navy Recruiting Video's 1979, 1989

Just to give you guys the background on Navy Recruiting Video's....

In 1979, the Navy wanted to drum up recruits for the Navy. So, the Navy decided to promoted the 1st Navy Music Video aboard the USS Reasoner FF 1063.
The video was a great promotion, until, they found out the group of singers were gay.... Here is that video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

So, years later, the Navy wanted to re-establish it's image. So when Cher wanted to do a music video aboard a US Navy warship, USS Missouri, they saw no harm. What they forgot about was Cher.

Well on July 4th 1989, the music video "If I Could Turn Back Time" was filmed on board the USS Missouri while it was stationed at the former Long Beach Naval Shipyard at Pier D.

They monitored all parts of her making the video to ensure it promoted the Navy in a good light. What they failed to do is monitor Cher. At the last minute, prior to filming, Cher did a last minute wardrobe change. The Navy wasn't expecting it. This was right during the era of "Sexual Harassment", and this really ticked off the senior levels. All of us sailors thought it was outstanding!!! Cher barley clothed (even for Cher) and frolicking around an USS Missouri, straddling gun turret and such. Tame for today, but she was almost nude. The crew damm near went wild !!

I remember sitting on watch, reading the message traffic this caused. And how the Navy said "Never Again". Man, I could imagine what would happen to the CO if this happen in todays Navy. If it happened today, the CO would be releive of his command.

This is what was suppose to happen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zsfVloX-4A

This is what happened (Click on link)
http://www.spike.com/video/cher-if-i-could-turn/2788455

Cher's son, Elijah Blue Allman, only twelve at the time, makes an appearance in the video, playing a guitar (he wears dark glasses and a Jimi Hendrix T-shirt). Elijah is the son of Cher and Greg Allman, of "The Allman Brothers Band" fame.