This is nothing new... In the Navy in the early to mid sixties, we stood quarterdeck watches with a 45 on our hip. But no ammunition. This was true for both Westpac and the Med.
Hummmm, don't know about the Navy you were in but on U.S. Submarines in the '70s our top side watches, didn't have a loaded weapon, but certainly did have a live clip on the belt and available for use if necessary.