10 Things You Need To Know:
Navy uniform update
04 August 2016
The Navy will transition to two working uniforms, which will eliminate the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type I (blue) and make the NWU Type III the shore working uniform. NWU Type II will still be issued by authorized organizations when needed. The change will reduce Navy's costs for organizational clothing and streamline Navy's uniform requirements. The NAVADMIN also announces several other items.
Here are 10 things you need to know:
1. Beginning Oct. 1, 2016, the NWU Type III will be authorized for wear as the Navy's primary shore working uniform and will be issued to new accessions and recruits beginning Oct. 1, 2017. While the NWU Type I will be phased out over the next three years, Sailors may wear the NWU Type I or III, but effective Oct. 1, 2019, all Sailors will be expected to wear the NWU Type III as their primary working uniform when ashore or in port.
2. This change is the first step in a multiphased process that will streamline the Navy's uniform requirements. In the end, we expect this will achieve cost savings by consolidating the number of uniforms the Navy manages and Sailors wear. Savings will also be achieved through a reduction in organizational clothing and management money required.
3. Sailors may wear the NWU Type III issued by their command, but are required to return them prior to transfer or prior to the mandatory wear date of Oct. 1, 2019, whichever comes first. Sailors will be expected to procure NWU Type IIIs upon availability in their assigned area.
4. Sailors will be able to buy NWU Type III components for personal wear through Navy Exchange uniform stores and call centers once NEXCOM has sufficient inventory on hand, expected during 2017.
5. Enlisted clothing replacement allowance will be adjusted to cover costs of these uniform changes and requirements. However, by law, commissioned officers are currently entitled to a one-time uniform stipend ($400), paid at the beginning of their careers. An additional stipend cannot be granted without a change in law.
6. NWU Type II will continue to be issued by authorized organizations when needed.
7. Effective immediately, Don't Tread on Me and Reverse U.S. Flag patches are authorized for optional wear on NWU Type II and Type III at the discretion of unit commanding officer as described in NAVADMIN 174/16.
8. Women, E7 and above, are now authorized to wear men's uniform khaki pants without belt and buckle with the khaki overblouse. Wear with the tuck-in shirt is not authorized due to the visible gig-line issue.
9. Navy sweatshirt and pant logo is replaced with a silver reflective lettering "NAVY" to align with the logo on the Navy Physical Training Uniform shirt and shorts.
10. Uniforms that are no longer authorized for wear must have insignia, accessories or features removed that identify the item as a military uniform component prior to being able to be worn as civilian clothing or giving it away/selling them.