NWU regulations

[navytrooper]

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/1..._rules_121608/

Sailors everywhere are complaining about the new regulations that come with the NWU:
Can only be worn in public when transiting between base and home (same as the current utilities), and you cannot step out of your car unless it's an absolute emergency (new, strict rule).

What do you guys think? I think this is a little overdoing it. I mean, sure it's a working uniform, but is it really worth all this trouble to hide the uniform from the public? Everyone else (besides the USMC) allows working uniforms in public. It's not as if Sailors will prance around in our working uniforms. I think the old rule about being able to get out for routine stops is way more...

Realistic.

[Drill for life]

I like it because it shows the great image of the Navy, People don't want to see a Sailor in Camo they want to see a Sailor in Crackerjacks. Same as the Marine Corps Dress BLues present a better impression than MCCU's.

[SlightlyCatholic]

What I don't get is why the NWU is being worn at all. What is blue, grey, and black supposed to camouflage a Sailor against? A ship?

[navytrooper]

Originally Posted by Seminarian_Tim

What I don't get is why the NWU is being worn at all. What is blue, grey, and black supposed to camouflage a Sailor against? A ship?

Well they say there are four reasons:

1) The colors trace back to Navy heritage or something like that.

2) Hides dirt and other nasty stuff.

3) Apparently, this will camoflauge them in some strange way that will make them harder targets when they are in a hostile port. In other words, if a warship pulls into a port full of enemy snipers, the NWU should in theory make the Sailors on deck a harder target...

4) It replaces the dungarees! Sailors everywhere complain about it. It doesn't keep you very warm. If you get it dirty, it shows (assuming you aren't wearing coveralls instead). There isn't enough pockets. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah. I mean, if I had a choice between NWU's and the current utilities, I'd choose NWU's any day.

The strange thing is that this will be the least useful "new" uniform made.

ACU's are strange but actually used in combat.
MARPAT's are effective camoflauge.
BDU's are still used by Navy SeaBees and SEALs in the field(MAA's are switching to NWU)
ABU is used by Airmen on deployment (effective in the field).

If a Sailor is an IA or something, they will still use BDU/ACU/MARPAT.

Returning to the original topic, how do you guys feel about all these strict regulations on wearing them?

[armysc_25b]

Originally Posted by Drill for life

I like it because it shows the great image of the Navy, People don't want to see a Sailor in Camo they want to see a Sailor in Crackerjacks. Same as the Marine Corps Dress BLues present a better impression than MCCU's.

Fact check here. Aside from, say, the Pentagon, where do you see service personnel whose duty uniform on a CONSTANT basis is a dress uniform? Recruiters don't count here either. The ONLY time I put on my dress uniform is for a formal occasion, inspection, or a board. My duty uniform since the day I entered the service has been the ACU's, which replaced the BDU's.

[PDudkowski]

God, what have they done to my Navy! When the work day is over, throw your work clothes in the laundry, throw on a set of civvies and hit the beach. Those that have admin jobs, live off base should be in anything but blue "camo" and hence an appropriate uniform for going off base. Personnel assigned and living aboard a ship have no business wearing the new NWU anywhere other than the ship, pier or base.

I hope the answer is simple enough. No utilies, dungarees or anything else that constitutes a "working uniform" should be let off base. The one exception is while on military transportation going from on base to another Naval facility to continue the work day.

"Hide dirt" is a ridicules reason for the new work uniform. You couldn't tell a snipe or deck ape from the superstructure gang if it wasn't for the tell tale signs of grease, paint and general filth that proudly proclaimed your status as a part of the hands on working crew.

[Drill for life]

I think the Navy is just doing it to get in on the New Utility uniform Craze/Fad. It looks great but it does not have a purpose.

[TheDude]

You all have lost focus of the original question. I believe that the restrictions put on this uniform are ridiculous. As a father I'm being told that I can't take my child to school, daycare, stop to get gas or other things on teh way to or from home. I live off base and don't have the convenience of changing into the uniform once I get to work. I see other service members wearig their uniforms with pride in public but the Navy is still hiding this new one. This uniform is supossed to replace so many uniforms to make it better on teh servicemember but I belive it only hinders us even more.

On another note, this uniform will be worn by E-1 through O-10 personnel and it will only be a matter of time before all khaki's have a problem with this.

[Drill for life]

Well The Army and The Air Force are the only service authorized to wear there new utilities outside of base, The Marine Corps has restrictions but not that strict.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Drill, where'd you get that information from? Some sort of uniform guidance policy?