THE TENSION: Photo Essay: US Navy Uniforms, New and Old

Sailors wear the Navy working uniform (NWU) at Naval Air Station Oceana, November 7. The NWU is intended for year-round wear and will be the standard working uniform ashore by October 2010. The NWU will replace working utilities, tropical working uniforms, wash khakis, winter working blue, aviation working green, and non-tactical/environmental usage of camouflage utility uniforms. Unless otherwise prescribed by the regional commander, the NWU is authorized to be worn at all facilities on base. (U.S. Navy Photo.)

A Chief Petty Officer wears the Navy working uniform (NWU) while shopping at the Naval Air Station Oceana Navy Exchange, November 7. The NWU is intended for year-round wear and will be the standard working uniform ashore by October 2010. The NWU will replace working utilities, tropical working uniforms, wash khakis, winter working blue, aviation working green, and non-tactical/environmental usage of camouflage utility uniforms. Unless otherwise prescribed by the regional commander, the NWU is authorized to be worn at all facilities on base. (U.S. Navy Photo.)

Chief petty officers pose for an "old-school" style photo in arresting gear engine room three aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), December 2. Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are on deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Suits.)

Sailors wear the Navy working uniform (NWU) while shopping at the Naval Air Station Oceana Navy Exchange. The NWU is intended for year-round wear and will be the standard working uniform ashore by October 2010. The NWU will replace working utilities, tropical working uniforms, wash khakis, winter working blue, aviation working green, and non-tactical/environmental usage of camouflage utility uniforms. Unless otherwise prescribed by the regional commander, the NWU is authorized to be worn at all facilities on base. (U.S. Navy Photo.)

Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Charles Clay, assigned to Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, shops for the new service uniform at the Navy Exchange, December 1. The service uniform is intended for year-round wear and will replace the summer white and winter blue uniforms. The mandatory wear date for all E1-E6 personnel is July 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terry Spain.)

Yeoman 1st Class Dru Maclin models the new E-6 and below service uniform. The uniform is for year-round wear and replaces summer white and winter blue uniforms and will be available as follows: July, Great Lakes and California; Oct., Northwest and Hawaii; Jan. 2009, Gulf Region and Millington, Tenn.; April 2009, Naval District Washington; July 2009, Tidewater; Oct 2009 Southeast; Jan. 2010, Northeast; April 2010, Europe, Japan and Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jhi L. Scott.)

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Howard Williams models the new E-6 and below Service Uniform. The uniform is for year-round wear and replaces summer white and winter blue uniforms and will be available as follows: July, Great Lakes and California; Oct., Northwest and Hawaii; Jan. 2009, Gulf Region and Millington, Tenn.; April 2009, Naval District Washington; July 2009, Tidewater; Oct 2009 Southeast; Jan. 2010, Northeast; April 2010, Europe, Japan and Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jhi L. Scott.)

Focus on Defense:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2008 -- The Chief of Naval Personnel released detailed information about the delivery schedule, manner of wear and occasion for wear for the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Dec. 2 in NAVADMIN 343/08.

An instructional video was also posted on the NPC Web site and on NKO.

According to the message, the NWU is intended for year-round wear and shall be the standard working uniform ashore. The NWU will replace working utilities, tropical working uniforms, wash khakis, winter working blue, aviation working green, and non-tactical/environmental usage of camouflage utility uniforms.

The NWU is designed to be worn in sea and ashore environments that do not require special clothing (e.g., flight, flight deck, engine room, etc.). Unless otherwise prescribed by the regional commander, the NWU is authorized to be worn at all facilities on base, while commuting to/from work and home via POV, public transportation, and on government/military flights to/from OCONUS locations.

Routine stops while commuting are not authorized with an exception for genuine emergencies, such as medical emergencies and vehicle breakdowns.

For environmental extremes the following modifications are authorized when granted by appropriate authority:

(1) The NWU shirt may be removed on job sites or in work spaces.
(2) NWU trousers may be worn unbloused on job sites or in workspaces.
(3) During the winter or inclement periods, the parka hood is authorized for wear in addition to head gear. Black leather gloves are authorized.

The NWU will be available for purchase via designated Navy Exchange Uniform Centers as follows:

Dec 08 - Navy leadership (flag officers, commanding officers/OICs, (9580/9579/9578) command master/senior chiefs, and chiefs of the boat) via Navy Exchange Uniform Support Center at 800-368-4088 or 757-502-7450.
Jan 09 - Tidewater
Apr 09 - Southeast
Jul 09 - Northeast
Oct 09 - Capital region
Jan 10 - Western/northwest
Apr 10 - Gulf region
Jul 10 - Hawaii
Oct 10 - Europe/Japan/Guam

All existing working uniforms will continue to be authorized for wear until December 2010. Sailors who have not been issued NWU's at recruit training command or purchased NWU's while assigned to an active rollout location must maintain their current working uniforms until the NWU is available in the area assigned. This policy also applies to Sailors wearing the new service uniform announced earlier in 2008.

FY08 and FY09 clothing replacement allowances have been adjusted to facilitate purchasing four sets of NWU shirts and trousers by December 2010. Reserve component Sailors will receive their uniforms via their respective Navy Operational Support Centers.

For more information on uniforms and uniform policy, visit the uniform matters Web site.

(Report from Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs.)