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fanningp
Seaman Apprentice
Joined: 25 Aug 2004
Posts: 89
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 Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject: Navy Testing New Uniforms |
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'Bout time....I like.....course I've been out for 12 years.....
Photo of working uniform is here.....
| Quote: | New Navy Uniforms Announced
Associated Press
October 18, 2004
WASHINGTON - The Navy introduced a set of concept working uniforms for Sailors E-1 through O-10 Oct. 18, in response to the fleet’s feedback on current uniforms. The new uniforms, which will begin wear-testing this winter, were unveiled aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) at an All Hands call with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/AW) Terry D. Scott.
The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) concepts offer four variations to be tested in the fleet. Each variation offers a combination of different patterns, dominant colors, fabric finishes and designs.
Scott said these concepts are only the initial version of what the working uniform may ultimately look like. To assist in deciding exactly what uniforms Sailors will be wearing, Task Force Uniform (TFU) developed a set of concept uniforms.
"The concept uniforms are much like a concept car at an auto show," Scott said. "It’s only a preliminary design of the final model, and judging from the fleet’s response, we can make modifications to the final design."
The Task Force Uniform initiative began after Sailors in the fleet expressed their concerns about the current status of Navy uniforms. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark determined there should be an evaluation of the uniform requirements.
Upon completion of a Navywide survey last year, TFU went to work on interpreting more than 40,000 surveys with the help of an organizational psychologist to determine what changes Sailors desired. Some of the concerns expressed were that there are too many uniforms, they wear out quickly and are difficult to maintain. They also commented on the need for a working uniform that would be practical in different working environments and climates. The majority of respondents said they preferred a Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) style working uniform.
The Navy Working Uniform is being designed to take the place of utilities, wash khaki, coveralls, woodland green, aviation green, winter working blue and tropical working uniforms. The normal wear life is designed to last up to 18 months, compared to the current wear life of six months for the working uniform.
The working uniform design is not intended to camouflage Sailors against the background of a ship. Instead, the multiple colors on the uniform - navy blue, deck gray, haze gray and black - are common in the maritime working environment, making them a more practical choice.
"What we have heard from Sailors aboard ship is if they get a small spot of paint or grease on a pair of solid-color utilities or coveralls, it’s easily visible and detracts from the uniform’s appearance," Scott said. "With the Navy Working Uniform’s multicolor pattern, a small spot or stain may be almost entirely unnoticeable."
Another positive aspect of a multicolor pattern is that wrinkles caused by daily wear would be less visible, and the new uniforms will be wash and wear with no ironing required.
"Why should we need to iron a working uniform? The NWU fabric treatment will be a considerable improvement over the previous working uniforms," said Scott. The proposed plan is for the NWU to be the primary working uniform used in all Navy communities and duties, including watchstanding. The NWU is also being designed for wear outside the gate. Sailors will be able to go off base without having to change from the working uniform into their service uniform or civilian clothes.
With the CNO’s approval for a wear test, the Navy is working to provide as many possible options for Sailors to choose from during the wear-test period.
Among the options will be:
- Woodland versus digital pattern
- Blue versus gray as the uniform’s predominant color
- Tapered blouse versus standard-style blouse
- Rounded versus pointed collar
- Performance T-shirt versus cotton undershirt
- Pleated versus non-pleated trousers
- Elastic versus adjustable waistband
- Button versus zipper trousers
- No-polish suede versus polished leather boots
- 8-point versus round top cover
- Pocket locations and design
The Navy also plans to wear test a blue parka that will ultimately match the design pattern of the final working uniform. The parka will be designed for wear in various weather conditions, including sub-freezing temperatures, wind, and heavy rain.
Although the NWU was designed to address the concerns of the fleet, Scott said a test of how the uniforms will truly respond to the needs of Sailors can only be determined by a fleetwide wear test and evaluation before being mass produced.
The fleetwide wear test scheduled to begin this winter, will be conducted at commands around the world, and across the spectrum of different platforms. Approximately 60 participants, both male and female, officer and enlisted, will wear-test these concept uniforms at each of the following commands/locations:
USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CVN 71), Norfolk, Va.
USS Tarawa, (LHA 1), San Diego
USS Germantown, (LSD 42), San Diego, Calif.
USS Chung-Hoon, (DDG 93), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
USS Iwo Jima, (LHD 7), Norfolk, Va.
USS McFaul, (DDG 74), Norfolk, Va.
USS Philippine Sea, (CG 58 ), Mayport, Fla.
USS San Francisco, (SSN 711) (Guam)
Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 (Whidbey Island, Wash.)
Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ 137), Whidbey Island, Wash.
Patrol Squadron (VP) 26, Brunswick, Maine/Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Dept., Brunswick, Maine
Afloat Training Group, Norfolk, Va.
Afloat Training Group, San Diego
Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Master-at-Arms "A" School, San Antonio
Special Warfare Logistic Support Group, San Diego
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, Port Hueneme, Calif.
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.
Naval Station Rota, Spain
Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron 25, Norfolk, Va.
"We realize that there are Sailors out there who are eager to receive the NWUs, but we are determined to do this the right way and come up with a uniform that our Sailors will appreciate," Scott said.
Shore Sailor of the Year (SSOY) Chief Dental Technician Michele Villagran had a chance to see preliminary designs of the concept uniforms during the SSOY selection process. She said she liked the look and feel of the lightweight, yet sturdy, material.
"Overall, I think they look more professional, and I think the majority of the fleet will be happy with them," Villagran said. "It will definitely be a new and very much needed look for the Navy."
The vision of Task Force Uniform is to give Sailors a cost-effective set of uniforms presenting a professional appearance, recognizing naval heritage, and offering versatility, safety, ease of maintenance and storage, utility and comfort.
Task Force Uniform also plans to announce the year-round service uniform concepts for E-1 through E-6 in the coming weeks and an announcement about specifics of those wear testing dates and areas to follow.
For more information about Task Force Uniform, or to view or download photos, visit www.news.navy.mil.
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Pete Fanning
US Navy, DP1, '84-'92
http://peterepublic.org |
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BuffaloJack
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 1637
Location: Buffalo, New York
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lthrneck
Lieutenant
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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What no beret?
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"Old Breed, New Breed, There's not a DAMM bit of
difference so long as it's the MARINE Breed"
- Lt. Gen Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller
Semper fi
uuurah
Carry On!!
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Ruckerman20002000
Seaman Recruit
Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Location: Racine, WI
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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I frankly don't know why each service wants to adopt a unique camoflage pattern all of a sudden. What's the matter with blue shirts and dungarees?  The Marines wanted their own cammo. Then the Air Force got into the act and they tested a pattern of their own. Then the Army thought woodland pattern was so '80s so they designed a new uniform. What next? The Coasties are gonna demand a new uniform?  Don't we have more pressing places to spend our tax dollars? Like a replacement for the M551 Sheridan? 
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Anker-Klanker
Admiral
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1033
Location: Richardson, TX
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't get a vote, since I left the Navy almost 30 years ago. But I do get an opinion, and this looks just plain silly to me. What? the Navy now wants to play wanna be grunts? |
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tugboatphil
Ensign
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 70
Location: Floyd, Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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Having worked with Beach Group and Seabees, I can understand some Navy folks wearing a field style uniform. But if I fell overboard, I think I'd want something that did NOT camoflauge me!!
Shiver me timbers! What are those Pentagon Sandcrabs thinking?!
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Phil Toth
BMC(SW) ret
Don't Sweat the Mule Goin' Blind,
Just Keep Loadin' the Wagon. |
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zinfella
Rear Admiral
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 708
Location: Mesa, Az
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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Those of us who favor tradition are outraged by the level of leadership that would allow this to happen.
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No whiners! |
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BuffaloJack
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 1637
Location: Buffalo, New York
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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| In my humble opinion SEALS ought to have any kind of camo they need for operational reasons. The guys on a ship, well some of the dayglow colors would be an awful easier to see than anything else. If I fell overboard, I'd want to be seen from 20 miles out. |
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I B Squidly
Vice Admiral
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 879
Location: Cactus Patch
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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"The working uniform design is not intended to camouflage Sailors against the background of a ship. Instead, the multiple colors on the uniform - navy blue, deck gray, haze gray and black - are common in the maritime working environment, making them a more practical choice.
"What we have heard from Sailors aboard ship is if they get a small spot of paint or grease on a pair of solid-color utilities or coveralls, it’s easily visible and detracts from the uniform’s appearance," Scott said. "With the Navy Working Uniform’s multicolor pattern, a small spot or stain may be almost entirely unnoticeable."
....unless it's red lead, zinc chromate or yellow striping. I'm sure the 'tiger teams' will love them. |
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Anker-Klanker
Admiral
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1033
Location: Richardson, TX
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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This has obviously gotten much further along than I could have imagined; somebody's serious here. But I'd be shocked if I weren't so amused.
Whoever thought this bright idea up must not have been any time on deck in the tropical sun. First Division will be out of that get-up in no time at all when they hit the warm weather climates.
And what's with the whole camoflauge motif? Is that for being stealthy in the sea weed?
Just put me down for an old fart, who's knee jerk reaction to this is a sudden rememberance of that tune, "Tradition," in "Fiddler on the Roof." |
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USAFE5
PO2
Joined: 23 Aug 2004
Posts: 362
Location: Reno Nevada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately this urge to redo uniforms isn't limited to the Navy. My hubby is with TSA and they just redid those uniformes too. Small changes in the pants and the colors went from AF blue to black with white.
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xsquid
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 25 May 2004
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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| tugboatphil wrote: | Having worked with Beach Group and Seabees, I can understand some Navy folks wearing a field style uniform. But if I fell overboard, I think I'd want something that did NOT camoflauge me!!
Shiver me timbers! What are those Pentagon Sandcrabs thinking?! |
Yea, me too. I was with ACB-1. The uniform would be good for this use, we had the green utilities, but for fleet duty they would be hotter than hell, as someone mentioned. Especially if you have an anal retentive commanding officer like we did on the o'brien that made us stay in full uniform (t-shirt, shirt) working on deck in the blazing indian ocean. Everyone else was in t-shirts.
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11 years US navy.
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Navy_Navy_Navy
Admin
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 5777
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, for Pete's sake! A sailor wears dungarees and utilities when s/he is working. What is with all this camo stuff?
I'm getting set in my ways and have a much bigger appreciation for tradition than I used to, I guess.
What's next? Eliminating crackerjacks? ( The chick-magnet???? )
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Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother |
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Hondo
LCDR
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 423
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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Now folks, I personally think Sir Winston had it right regarding Naval tradition for tradition's sake (grin).
However, this issue absolutely steams me too (and I wasn't ever Navy). It seems that every 5 or 10 years each service just has to fool around with their uniforms. From what I've seen, most of the changes have been cosmetic and fairly meaningless.
The government wastes money and time doing this. However, that doesn't bother me too much; considering the overall DoD budget, the waste on uniforms is peanuts. We waste far more time and $$$ on other questionable things.
What really fries me about this is twofold. First, I would love to see an investigation of post-service employment and finances of those approving the uniform changes. I've come to suspect over the years that someone is getting paid off for approving needless uniform changes so uniform vendors can make more $$$ from the resulting new contracts. If so, I would love to see them BURNED.
Second - and what REALLY steams me - is the effect this has on the young soldier/sailor/airman/marine with a family who has to go out and PURCHASE A NEW SET OF UNIFORMS WHEN HE/SHE ALREADY HAS A PERFECTLY SERVICEABLE SET IN THE CLOSET. The enlisted clothing allowance is for maintenance, NOT TURNKEY REPLACEMENT. At my age and grade, having to buy some new uniforms is a nuisance; I can come up with the money. For the junior guy/gal with a family, it could be a choice between staying out of trouble and rent/food/heat.
Thanks for letting me rant. This IS a personal hot-button issue for me.
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"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse."
-- John Stuart Mill |
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xsquid
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 25 May 2004
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Navy_Navy_Navy wrote: | Oh, for Pete's sake! A sailor wears dungarees and utilities when s/he is working. What is with all this camo stuff?
I'm getting set in my ways and have a much bigger appreciation for tradition than I used to, I guess.
What's next? Eliminating crackerjacks? ( The chick-magnet???? ) |
Check this out 3n:
| Quote: | The Navy is also planning a new service uniform that will replace the summer whites and winter blues. In the next couple of weeks they'll unveil an enlisted uniform with a khaki or grey shirt with black pants that can be worn year round.
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http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=2445393&nav=23iiS7JP
They replaced the crackerjacks in the 70's aned it went over like a lead baloon. A Khaki or grey shirt with black pants????? Sounds fugly to me.
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11 years US navy.
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