Stricter rules for blue cammies - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Stricter rules for blue cammies

Navy officials have made the wear rules for the Navy Working Uniform stricter than those in effect for the current utility, wash khaki, woodland cammies and flight suits. Sailors will not be allowed to make routine stops off base, such as going to the bank, picking up children at day care or getting gas. Now, only genuine emergencies such as medical or vehicle breakdowns will be permitted.

Navy Times wants to hear from sailors about the stringent new policy. Do you support it, or do you think it’s not practical? How will this impact your life?

Send your comments to mfaram@navytimes.com.

Frequently asked questions

The Navy has released rules on how, when and where you’ll be sporting the Navy’s new blue-and-gray camouflage ensemble — and there’s a lot to take in. So to help you make sense of it all, we took questions to the experts, and here’s what they told us:

When will people start wearing the uniform?

On Dec. 15, flag officers, commanding officers, officers in charge and command master chiefs anywhere in the Navy will be able to purchase the uniform online or by phone, though the rank and file must wait until next October to order online. Sailors in the Norfolk, Va., area will be able to find the uniforms on exchange shelves exactly one month later, the first wave in the two-year rollout.

When will everybody be required to have the uniforms?

Dec. 31, 2010, will mark the end of the two-year rollout for E-1 through O-10.

What does the Navy Working Uniform replace?

Utilities for E-6s and below and wash khakis worn by chiefs and officers. It also will replace the little-used tropical versions of those uniforms — the ones with shorts.

Also gone will be the “winter working blue” uniform, which is the less-dressy version of the “Johnny Cash” black shirt and black pants worn without ribbons and tie.

Coveralls were headed for the scrap heap, but sailors made it loud and clear in 2004 that the popular uniforms needed to stay.

Will women have to buy separate items?

No. The Navy has made the NWU a “unisex” uniform, meaning both men and women wear the identical items in the same way.

Can I wear my command ball cap with the NWU?

Yes, if your CO allows it. Officially, the only authorized headgear are the eight-point cover and the watch cap during cold weather. But your CO can authorize the ball cap onboard ship, and that authority usually extends to the pier area around your ship. When you’re away from your command (commuting or on another part of the base), only the eight-point can be worn — unless your regional commander has authorized the watch cap.

When can I wear coveralls?

The NWU is the primary working uniform ashore and an authorized working uniform while underway. If you wear coveralls aboard ship, you will continue to do so unless otherwise directed by your CO or OIC. If you wear a working uniform off the ship, it will now be the NWU.

In what circumstances will I wear the NWU?

It’s required in any situation that previously called for dungarees for E-6 and below or wash khakis for chiefs and officers.

When can’t I wear the NWU?

Navy officials have tightened the rules for off-base and commuting wear of working uniforms. So for now, you’ll be only able to wear it only when commuting to and from work, either in a private vehicle or public transportation.

But unlike the wear rules for the current wash khakis, utilities, current woodland cammies and flight suits, don’t get out of your car to get gas off base or pick up groceries or your kids wearing the NWU. Now, only genuine emergency stops such as vehicle breakdowns and medical emergencies will be allowed.

Why can’t sailors wear the NWU off base?

The Navy Working Uniform is just that — a working uniform, just like the utilities and wash khakis it’s replacing. Navy officials say working uniforms aren’t appropriate for off-base wear.

OK, so why is it not appropriate to wear a working uniform off base?

Navy officials said only that they and the Marine Corps have “traditionally” not allowed the wearing of working uniforms off base. No other reason was given.

What will happen if the chief sees me off base wearing the NWU?

Technically you are violating a regulation and could be written up for disobeying a lawful order. However, since the rules allow for emergency stops, officials say in some circumstances getting gas could be construed as an emergency. You just might have to explain yourself to a chief who happens by.

What about sailors who work on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan, are assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, work on a flight deck or are in any other unit that requires woodland or desert cammies?

Sailors involved in tactical situations or special work environments — the war zones, flight decks, expeditionary units, etc. — will wear what they always wear.

However, sources say some sailors, such as masters-at-arms guarding gates and patrolling installations, will have to wear the NWU. The Navy has not published a list of such situations. Officials from NECC have said they will continue to wear legacy cammies at all their commands and will not wear the NWU when they are not deployed. But, sailors and officers still have to have an NWU in their sea bags by Dec. 31, 2010, just like everyone else. That’s because woodland or desert cammies remain organizational clothing, issued by commands, and not an official Navy uniform.

Can I still wear my flight suit?

It’s up to your CO. Flight suits are organizational clothing and as such are issued by commands for specific jobs, just like the woodland and desert cammies. Chances are if you wear them now, you will continue to wear them.

I work in an engineering space on my ship. Will I wear the NWU while on duty?

That, too, is up to your CO. Officials say the uniform can work in engineering spaces, and in those environments you can remove the outer shirt and un-blouse the pants. However, if you wear coveralls, chances are you will be able to continue to do so.

Can I wash it in ship’s laundry?

Yes, officials say it can stand up to standard shipboard laundry.

Will my enlisted clothing allowance cover the cost of the entire uniform?

Yes. The uniform allowances were increased over a two-year period to cover the initial purchase of the uniforms. Half was paid in fiscal 2008, and half is coming this fiscal year. If you spent that money on something else when you got it, the cost of the NWU is coming out of your pocket.

Starting in 2010, the uniform allowance will again be adjusted to cover the cost of maintaining and periodically replacing NWU items, though officials estimate sailors will have to replace each NWU every 18 months. That’s compared with every six months for the utilities. Sailors entering the Navy starting in April will be issued the new uniforms in boot camp.

Can I buy the NWU online?

Yes, you will be able to order them from the Navy Exchange Uniform Support Center starting in October. Go to https://www.nexnet.nexweb.org/pls/nexauth/nexauth.wg_shop_online.

If my region has not begun selling the NWU in exchanges, can I buy one at another region’s exchange and wear it at my command?

Though it’s not encouraged, it’s also not forbidden. This also goes for sailors who are stationed in one region, buy their uniform there and transfer to a region that is not yet selling the NWU. Once the rollout has started, sailors are authorized to wear either the NWU or the utilities until January 2011. However, sailors who were not issued NWUs at boot camp or who purchased them while not assigned to a rollout location must maintain their current working uniforms until the NWU is available where they are assigned. When in doubt, go with what your command is doing.

Can warfare devices be worn on the uniform?

Yes, but the rules for NWU are slightly different compared with other uniforms. You can wear a maximum of two warfare or qualification devices, one over the U.S. Navy tape over the left pocket and the second on the pocket flap.

But for command master and senior chiefs — as well as force and fleet master chiefs — command career counselors, recruit division commanders and security or law enforcement sailors such as master-at-arms, the rules are different. These sailors, if they have dual warfare quals, will wear them stacked above the name tape, while the identification badge is worn on the pocket flap.

The command at sea or shore insignia can be metal or embroidered on a strip of NWU fabric and is worn above the right pocket, centered above the nametape.

Should I buy my uniform right away to avoid shortages?

By rolling the uniforms out by region, uniform officials expect to have enough uniforms on hand.

How do I know I’m not buying a knockoff uniform?

Buy your uniform at the exchange. If you get it somewhere else, you run the risk of buying a cheap imitation. The Navy has trademarked the NWU design to protect it from unauthorized manufacturing.

What do I do with my old uniforms?

You can do whatever you want with your old uniform, as long as it does not discredit the Navy.

I’m an aviator. Can I wear my brown aviation boots with the NWU?

No, only the two authorized boots. Brown aviation boots are organizational clothing issued by your command and not an official uniform item.

Can I wear any kind of sock?

It depends. The rules say that socks must be black and extend above the top of the boot. However, as is allowed now, sweat socks can be worn underneath the black socks if sailors choose.

Can I wear my command-issued foul-weather jacket, peacoat or raincoat with the NWU?

No. The only jacket authorized for wear with the NWU is the Gore-Tex jacket. The jacket’s removable fleece liner will not be authorized for wear by itself as an outer garment. Also, nothing is allowed to be sewn or glued to the uniform as it will destroy its weather-resistant properties.

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