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NWU Mandatory Wear Date Approaches
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- With the mandatory wear date of Dec. 31 approaching, the chief of naval personnel (CNP) reminded commanding officers and Sailors in NAVADMIN 299/10 of the importance for all hands to maintain a full complement of Navy Working Uniforms (NWU) in their sea bags.
"The NWU facilitates Navy leadership's intent to standardize the professional appearance of Sailors when wearing a working uniform ashore," said CNP Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson.
Pointing to current NWU inventory levels showing Sailors own an average of 1.3 sets, Ferguson went on to explain that the fleet has not purchased enough uniforms to meet this goal.
Whether through initial gear issue at recruit training or the uniform allowances provided during the past two fiscal years, the vast majority of the fleet has received allowances to purchase and maintain four sets of the NWU by Dec. 31. Sailors who started recruit training between Oct. 1, 2007, and April 26, 2009, did not receive their full issue of uniforms or the allotted clothing replacement allowances, which means they will not be expected to meet the four uniform standard until June 30, 2013.
CNP is stressing the importance for leadership to re-engage with Sailors now to ensure they comply with uniform requirements by the mandatory wear date. With the majority of Sailors having already received the required allowances or uniform issue, commanding officers should verify their personnel have all required uniform components in their sea bag. For commands with Sailors who fall within the previously mentioned timeframe, leadership will need to allow for a reduced number of uniforms.
A complete sea bag will include the following items:
-Four NWU blouses and trousers
-One pair of NWU boots
-Two eight-point utility caps
-Five pairs of blue, 100 percent cotton T-shirts
-Five pairs of boot socks
-One mock turtleneck sweater
-One fleece liner
-One Gore-Tex parka
Navy Exchanges have sales associates available to help with proper sizing and fit, as well as ample supplies of the NWU to meet demand. If a local exchange does not have a particular item, or if a Sailor is not stationed near an exchange, uniform items can be ordered by calling the Uniform Support Center's toll-free number, 1-800-368-4088, or by going to https://www.navy-nex.com/command/about_us/p-uniformsupport.html.
For more information on Navy uniforms visit http://www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/USNavyUniforms/.
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
BUTTONS-BUTTONS-BUTTONS!!! I lost count on the number of times I returned the blouses due to the buttons falling off, even after getting them back from being reinforced at the sew shops for free. I'm mainly wasting time going back, and money on gas from the trips. They need to use something beside thread, like upholstery thread or deep-sea fishing line.
I think that getting rid of the wash Khaki's, the uniform that Admiral's Halsey and Nimitz were frequently seen in, and replacing them with this ridiculous looking thing is silly. I mean, come on!! The only reason we have this type of uniform in the first place is because the other services had a digital type uniform and we didn't. Add a few surveys from some first term sailors who probably don't even know who Admiral Nimitz is, and Walla!!! NWU on a platter!!
Change is good, These NWU's are practicle and comfortable. I enjoy wearing them. Even in 113 degeree weather. There has been ample time to purchase and to have the required sets of uniforms. Please refer to the NAVADMINS for rules and regulations. I don't care for the tan and black but thats life. Get on board and do your best to support the program, at the ned of your enlistment if you don't like it you can always get out. But until then I suggest you get a grip and abide by the regulations.
I don't see why every one is wanking. Your given an order you follow it to the letter. How hard is that. I just got off IA duty and had to buy 4 sets of uniforms. So what is the crying all about? Adapt and over come atleast we look like where in the military now vise someone working at Union 76. I like the new uniform and I hope it stays.
Large groups of Sailors in different warfare communities aren't purchasing NWU. They are being told by their COC not to purchase them. The Navy must factor that into the misleading 1.3sets per Sailor. Our requirement at my command has been to show up everyday in the required unifom, ensure it is squared away and ready for the mission at hand that day. No seabag inspection is needed unless the Sailor can't do that. Force communities that refuse to buy it to do so to bring that 1.3 average up.
Oh my.Sins this is going to be Mandatory soon,i say give some sort of percentage off.This is still a very expensive Uniform.We need to even this out for both enlisted and officers soon and fast.
Reality is, these are the regulations and we as leaders need to follow and support our C.O.C.. If it's a seabag requirement, than why aren't you complaining of having 2 sets of Dress whites while at sea, or 2 sets of working white/blues, 4 sets of utilities and 2 sets of coveralls. When all we use out at sea is coveralls or cammie pants and color shirt that represents your department. I have been in for 9 years and never even used my Working whites or blues. but still had to have them.
NWU talk about a waste. The cries from the junior fleet sailors was that they love the new uniform. Stand aside at the uniform shop for the big rush, what rush? The uniform is too expensive, not practical and is too darn hot in the summer! At least our enlisted sailors did recieve some monetary compensation. still trying to figure out why the wardroom has to pay outta of poacket. One team one fight right? Oh that's right double standard, enlisted get the extra money, officers suck it up!!
I don't even own one pair of NWU. And to be quite honest, I will not purchase any anytime soon because of the location where I work, I am not authorize to wear this type of uniform and of course I am ashore. I do not appreciate the fact that the navy is trying transform into other arm forces. We have had so many uniform changes to the point I don't know where to start. STOP THE UNIFORM CHANGE MADNESS. Let's be identified as the U.S. Navy!
What is a "pair" of t-shirts?
As a mobilized reservist on ADSW orders and being a drilling reservist for the last 10 years, to this day all uniforms have not been issued to us and we have not been told if we are allowed a uniform allowance. Some of us regardless of rank have fixed incomes and to be forced to pay for these uniforms out of pocket is unsat. I say forget allowances and uniforms should be issued and tailored.
I personally am quite torqued that I am required to spend my uniform allowance on 4 full sets of a uniform I CAN NOT WEAR. I am stationed at NPC Millington, and we are only authorized to wear this EXPENSIVE UNIFORM on "casual friday's. Gimme a BREAK! These uniforms are quite expensive to sit in a seabag for 4 years. I am required to wear the SU every other day, and let me tell you the women's shirts DO NOT LAST LONGER THAN A FEW MONTHS. CNPC and the uniform panel needs to re-look at this policy
Truth of the matter is that the June 30, 2013 date is not adhered by all commands. In my current command junior sailors had to switch over to the new uniform, by March 18, 2010. So we made purchases of 4 sets of these. Calculating costs for each item 37.35 - 1 blouse 39.15 - 1 trouser, and 73.10 - Steel toe boots. A total of $149.60 guess what that number closely resembles? Our uniform allowance of $158.40. Is this fair, I think not!
This uniform will not be the primary uniform where I work, so there is no incentive to purchase 4 sets of NWU. Quite frankly, I'm not enamored of this uniform and will resist buying it, let alone 4 sets, until I am dragged, kicking and screaming, to the uniform shop and my debit card is forcefully pried from my fingers.
A deadline of DEC 31, 2010 is completely unrealistic. Saying that, "...during the past two fiscal years, the vast majority of the fleet has received allowances to purchase... 4 sets of the NWU..." is FALSE. (Male) Sailors have received $780.80 for uniforms over the last 2 years. The NWU set costs roughly $680.00 (+ extras). On top of the NWUs, sailors must buy the other uniform (SU) which cost $341.00, equaling $1021. CNP needs a new calculator. Money doesn't add up. Someone needs to speak up.
Ugly, Ugly, Ugly!!!
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I husband and I are both active duty and our uniform allowence was about 150.00 last year and about 250.00 this year having to buy two sets of NSU and four sets of NWUs is outragous. I like that we dont have to until 2013 but that isn't being followed by all commands yesterday my husbnd was told he has two weeks to have everything on this list. Only buying the jacket liner and 1 additional set of NWU was over $300.00. Someone should think about this hard thats a ton of money out of pocket.