Uniform Information
The following information was provided by the Navy Uniform Matters Office. If you have any uniform questions, please ask your supply office. The uniform regulations are posted on the BUPERS WEB page.
1. Effective 1 Jun 98, the Navy Uniform Matters Office/Navy Uniform Board will realign from the Bureau of Naval Personnel to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. The realignment will assure that maximum coordination and communication of uniform matters remain collocated with policy makers in the Washington DC area.
2. The proposed FY-99 Initial Clothing Allowances for CPO Selectees: These figures are not official until the President signs the budget, and applies to those CPO's advanced for pay purposes after 1 Oct 98. Those who are advanced for pay purposes in Sep 98 will receive the FY-98 amounts published in bulletin #7 in the Uniform Matters section on BUPERS Access. Males - $811.10; Females - $859.25. CPO Selectees mayuse the Navy Exchange "Deferred Payment Program" (DPP) to purchase CPO clothing requirements. Selectees can also purchase books from the Naval Heritage Reading List on DPP.
3. General -
Retirees - If a retiree wants to put on he/her uniform for a special occasion/function, they are required to conform to current grooming standards.
Garrison Cap - There are no plans to authorize the wear of the men's or women's garrison cap with Summer Whites or Service Dress Whites.
Black V-Neck Sweaters - The black V-neck sweater is authorized for wear with Summer Whites, but is not authorized for wear with Service Dress White Jumpers. The sweater may be worn optionally with the collar out. A leather name tag is required.
All-weather coat - The London Fog-style coat with zip-out fur liner has been required since 1 October 1997. All other raincoats are unauthorized.
A new utility uniform will replace the Navy dungaree uniform. Replacing the bell-bottomed dungaree pants, for E6 and below, will be a 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton-blend uniform consisting of dark blue straight-leg trousers and a chambray shirt. Names, warfare insignia and rating badges will be embroidered tapes sewn to the shirt and trousers. The new uniform will be tailored like the current chief petty officers' khaki uniform, with straight-leg trousers. The new-style utility uniform transition period will begin 1 January 1999.
Embroidered name tags for dungaree shirts, pants and the blue working jacket becomes mandatory 1 October 98. The name tapes are sold through the Uniform Shops. The "package deal" (5 denim, 5 chambray and one black name tape) cost less than $14.00.
New Working Jacket - There is a new working jacket for E-6 and below. The old style working jackets may be worn until 1 October 2000.
"Wooley-pulley" - The blue "crew-neck" sweater, aka the "wooley-pulley," has not been authorized for wear since 1 October 1995. A ship's CO can authorize the blue "wooley-pulley" for shipboard wear only.
Sunglasses - Sunglasses worn with Navy uniforms should be neat and conversative.
4. Female Specific -
Earrings - The CNO has expanded the female earring regulations (6mm ball brushed/dull) to include optional shiny metal ball earrings and 4mm to 6mm size ball earrings (gold for officers/CPOs and silver for E-6 and below).
Peacoat - E-6 and below women who entered the Navy service after 1 Oct 1988 are required to have a peacoat; all others are required to have a peacoat or overcoat. However, the E-6 and below women's overcoat can only be worn until 1 Oct 1998.
Pants - 1) Summer White CNT slacks and jumper slacks will have a modesty liner which extends to the bottom of the pockets. 2) Service Dress White slacks will have a full hanging lining. 3) There will no longer be back hip pockets on dress slacks.
Berets are optional items which may not be worn for inspections unless the command permits wear. The required women's head gear for Summer White or Service Dress White is the combination cover.
5. Male Specific -
The men's vest with Service Dress Blue will not be authorized for wear after 1 October 2000.