Kate Wiltrout
Matthew Jones
Miranda Mulligan
The Virginian-Pilot
©
WHEN THE NAVY changes its look, it’s no mean feat to get nearly 450,000 sailors on board. But after years of study, the service is rolling out its new Working Uniform, and Hampton Roads is first in line.
Click on the interactive presentation below to learn more about some of the Navy's uniforms.
MORE IN THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
See all of the Navy's uniforms and learn more about their history in the Sunday, Feb. 15, Magazine section of the newspaper.
How to get the paper:
Subscribe | View it in ePilot | Pick it up at convenience stores, supermarkets and street boxes
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Camo Pattern or Military Fashion Statement?
The sole purpose of a camouflage pattern on a military uniform is to conceal the American service member from enemy observation. The US Navy camo pattern does a great job in making the sailor look like a piece of ocean but do you really want to look like a piece of ocean if you are a sailor who had the misfortune of falling over board? I'm not saying our Army Combat Uniforms are any better. With our camouflage design consisting of Navy Grey and Battleship Grey, our Army uniforms only serve to camouflage us when we are in combat aboard a US Navy vessel.
Loss of identity
In the dark or at a distance everyone looks the same. The Navy has lost the identity of their E-6 and below and Chief and Officers. Why not E-6 and below blue and Chiefs and Officers the desert camo ? At least then you have immediate recognition. I hate having to stare down a person just so see what rate/rank they are.
YUCK!!!!
Went in to the old navy hospital here for a script refill, and couldn't tell what service the military member was with sitting behind the check in desk. He was wearing a kakaii shirt and dark slacks. Then I noticed a PO3 pin on his collar. And CPOs now wearing shoulder insignias? Makes it harder to tell if it's an officer walking towards you or not.
interactive brings back memories
of how handsome my dad looked in his full dress whites.
NWU's
I hated the way these looked, I didn't want to blouse my pants and I still don't like loosing the navy ball caps. I have bought 2 pairs and the jacket with liner I also purchased the turtleneck that's not shown. They really did a nice job on these the jacket it is very nice no more standing watch in the rain and being soaked all the way thru. The jacket has vents so it wont be to hot in the summer if its raining and you want to keep dry. I'm now glad they changed them and I wont wear utilities anymore. Oh and I discovered that blousing your pants keeps you allot warmer on watch. I am sold.
NWUs
As an underclassman in the NAVY, I love the new working uniforms! I finally feel proud when I walk next to Marines and other branch members on base and can hold my head high. These uniforms are sharp! We no longer look like hot garbage like we did in the utilities. It gives me a greater sense of confidence and self-esteem that the previous uniform did not provide, which is reflected in my stance, verbage, and production. They're conveniently wash-and-wear, not to mention extremely comfortable! I can't wait until we can wear them out in town! I feel like a kick-ass Max Steele action figure!
MAMA Says
Stupid is as Stupid does and that uniform is STUPID
Why not just make 'em black?
Why not just make 'em black? Is the camo so they hide behind shrubbery on a Navy ship? Who comes up with this stuff?
My earlier post
was pulled by the Pilot. Apparently they didn't like my choice of a certain word to describe these new uniforms. It started with an "F" and rhymed with "snugly". If I was still in they wouldn't have to worry about me wearing this embarrassment anywhere off base. I'd gladly take the time to change in and out of civvies to avoid that.
So I guess
the guy I saw eating lunch at Quizno's at Lynnhaven Mall wearing the NWU was in violation, or maybe the emergency was he was hungry!