Navy Tests a New Look for Working Uniform; Women’s Uniforms Also Revamped

Citing concerns by sailors that its current uniform program was impractical for today’s work environment, the United States Navy last month officially launched the test phase of Task Force Uniform (TFU) for the fleet. The outfits, said to be more durable and easier to maintain, could replace six current work uniforms. The test phase will last six months and is slated to begin this winter.

The Navy Working Uniform (NWU), as it is called, is being designed to take the place of utilities, wash khaki, coveralls, woodland green, aviation green, winter working blue and tropical working uniforms. The Navy is working to provide as many possible options for sailors during the wear test.

In a related move, the Navy has for the first time implemented a dress code that makes skirts optional for its more than 54,000 female sailors since women entered the service in 1908.

At a press event aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry D. Scott introduced a set of concept uniforms for sailors E-1 through 0-10 designed to be more sensible, professional and cost-effective. The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) concepts offer four variations to be tested in the fleet. Each has a different combination of patterns, colors and finishes. They are also the initial version of what the working uniform may ultimately look like.

The new uniforms reflect the changing needs of a modern navy. “The Navy of the 21 st century dictates our sailors have uniforms that are going to provide versatility, the durability and even the interchangeability they need,” said Scott. “We need to make sure we are addressing those concerns. Our sailors are going to be prepared for whatever lies ahead for the future.”

The impetus for the change comes from a survey of approximately 40,000 sailors in 2003, the results of which were unequivocal. Sailors complained that the current uniform was too impractical, hard to maintain, and expensive to replace. They further commented that there were too many different uniforms and limited space to store them aboard ships.

The concept uniforms are similar in styling to the working uniforms of the Army and Marine Corps. Colored in haze gray, deck gray, black and navy blue, the uniforms aren’t meant to hide sailors from the enemy, but to hide stains and wrinkles from view. The uniforms are also ready-to-wear, eliminating the need for dry cleaning, ironing and starching. A soil-release treatment has been added to the fabric of the new uniforms, making them easier to clean. Two of the uniforms were made of woodland camouflage material while the others were made from digital camouflage material. And while the existing uniforms are designed to last six months, the new ones, made of heavier fabric, are projected to last up to 18 months.

There are other differences as well. These include a tapered blouse versus a standard-style blouse; pleated versus non-pleated trousers; rounded versus pointed collar; and an elastic waist versus a waistband that requires a belt. A new type of boot, made of suede that doesn’t need to be polished, will also be tested. A wear test is also in the works for 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.

About 60 sailors at various locations will begin wearing the trial uniforms this winter for about 60 days and then the Navy will get feedback on how they wear and look. The uniform program, however, will not immediately be replaced. The TFU is not projected to replace current working uniforms until after a two to three year phase-in period.

And what of the Navy’s signature outfit – its service dress blue uniform? Master Chief Petty Officer Scott says there are no plans to replace the garment. “It is the most widely recognized uniform in the world,” said Scott. There is no mistaking a United States sailor. We don’t want to mess with that.”

The navy, has, however, implemented a change for its female personnel. Before issuing its optional skirt regulation in October, women had to maintain skirts in their sea bags and could be ordered to wear them for special events such as change-of-command and retirement ceremonies. The new rule was also a result of the survey conducted in 2003 that brought about the wear test for work uniforms.

Female respondents had questioned the practical nature of requiring sailors to pack skirts and maintain them aboard ships when they weren’t wearing them there. They also noted that the skirts didn’t compliment many women’s shapes, a common lament among women in all professions. “They gave an individual a pouch even if you didn’t have one,” said Master Chief Robert Carroll, director of the uniform task force. And one of the skirts didn’t have a kick pleat, a design flaw that the navy plans to correct in its upcoming redesign of women’s skirts.

The new regulations also allow women to purchase more stylish bags from mainstream department stores, giving them the freedom to stop using the widely unpopular military purses. And like their male counterparts, female sailors can now wear cell phones, personal digital assistants and pagers on a belt if they are on official business. Navy men and women in uniform can now also place bag straps over their shoulders, eliminating the need to hold gym bags and suitcases in their hands.

While skirts might seem impractical in today’s armed services, don’t expect them to vanish completely from the Navy or other branches of the military. The Marine Corps and Air Force still require skirts for formal occasions, and the Army says that women must still maintain them when on assignment.

Other areas of the uniform program are also under review. Task Force Uniform also plans to announce the year round service uniform concepts in the coming weeks. Wear testing dates for this program should be available in the coming weeks.