New Navy Uniforms Arrive
Five years after canvassing the fleet for suggestions on new and more practical uniforms for the 21st century, the Navy has started rolling out a year-round service uniform for Sailors E-6 and below and a Battle Dress Uniform, or BDU-style, working uniform for all ranks, according to the Navy News Service.
With a digital print pattern incorporating Navy blue, deck gray, haze gray and black, the NWU is a wash-and-wear 50/50 nylon and cotton blend. The majority of Sailors surveyed preferred a BDU-style uniform, one that doesn't show spots, stains or heavy wear like a solid color uniform and allows mending of small tears in fabric, saving money in replacement costs. Due to contracting, production and manufacturing challenges, introduction and distribution of the new uniforms will happen by region over a designated period of time rather than by simultaneous multiple-site deliveries. (Official Navy Photo)
Comments
What does the Navy need any kind of BDU on board ship and why is it campflauged in a pattern completely useless? Whatever happened to the traditional and workable uniforms of dungaree and bell-bottoms? Sheesh, next thing you know, the Navy will want its sailors to have infantry tactics and carry M4s at sling arms walking the flight decks in full battle gear.
The BDU is a more versitile uniform for working purposes. I was quite tired of having to iron my utility uniforms to appear “Squared Away” even though I was just heading to a cleaning crew or working party. Having spent some time TAD with the Security divisions and ASF units I have a great deal of respect for the BDU style uniforms. They are authorized to wear off base, unlike utilities / coveralls. They are easy to maintain, all but the most horrid stains will blend away and not be a big issue. Of course everyone should have their “Inspection” set, but for the most part these are very easy to maintain. They are stronger than the utilities or coveralls. They can be “relaxed” by removing the top when authorized while still providing a military and professional appearance. They are safer, providing protection from heat, exposure, abrasive contact etc… I can’t really see any advantage that the old dungarees or the current utilities have over a BDU style uniform. Also, they are using the camo pattern “to maintain historical navy colors, in keeping with tradition”. Not so we blend into the water.
Also, what’s wrong with learning basic infantry tactics, and why wouldn’t you be in battle gear standing an armed watch onboard a flight deck. If you are patrolling the flight deck then flight opps are not happening, meaning you are what stands between an enemy approach and your ships safty. I would like to have as much help / training / and equipment as they will throw at me. Yeah it’s heavy, and hot, and I’ll gripe & complaine on the mess decks, but I’ll be safe and at the end of the day alive.
IF I WANTED TO WEAR A RUSSIAN OR MARINE UNIFORM I WOULD HAVE GONE TO RUSSIA OR JOINED THE CORPS! THE NEW UNIFORMS ARE A DISGRACE. BUT I GUESS WITH THE CURRENT MORON’S RUNNING THE NAVY WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!!!!!!!
New uniforms again??? I served 50 years ago (1958 -1978) and went from “zipper fly” dress whites and blues and shiny shoes,w/dungarees for “work”, then came the “chief type” dress blues and cover, thru the V neck T shirt squabble,then the “over the head” blouse, and ball cap for everyday wear. I personally can’t recall that any uniform style change ever affected a man’s work, only the contents of his wallet! Having said that, I firmly believe that a uniformed, well groomed military force is an essential part of this country’s presence in the world.
Forgive the obvious, but HMC(FMF)? You did volunteer to wear the Marines uniform.
Honestly, I have to say the new pattern looks sharp, especially in comparison to the ACUPAT. I also have to disagree with both Mark’s and Red’s comments. If you go back and re-read the article, you’ll see that they were preferred by sailors because they both hide the normal everyday soil that comes with shipboard work and because small tears are able to be mended. This would drastically reduce the frequency that uniforms would have to be replaced, thus saving the average sailor money (and hassle) rather than incurring needless cost.
ET2 definitely has the right attitude, especially when we’re fighting on multiple fronts and are needed more than ever to be as flexible as possible to meet the ever-increasing demands being put on uniformed shoulders.
I myself, and looking forward to wearing these uniforms. Growing up an army brat I was always used to the BDU/ACU’s. Don’t get me wrong I love my navy uniforms as well, but it is entirely too many. And ET2 is right, putting all that money out for a small stain or a small tear is a pain. I for one can’t wait to get my hands on one.
Some people like to complain just because its easy to do. I look forward to the new BDU (Basic Deck Uniform)
To Tom HMC:
Hey Chief, Get over it….4.5 years of my 6 in the great USN was spent @ sea…I wish we had those uniforms in the Artic where it was zero degrees, instead of dungarees and a used winter green jacket….I do agree with you on the running of the Navy, but we can’t bring Ronald Reagan back…Try surving in the civilian world today!! Get out or shut up!