Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi (Ret), chief executive officer, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) announced that the rollout of the Type III uniform began ahead of schedule in Navy Region Southeast.

The Type III uniform became available for purchase by all Sailors ashore and afloat in the region Monday, Nov. 6.

"At NEXCOM we are proud to support our deserving Sailors and families," said Bianchi. "A key part of our mission is to provide the Navy's newest uniforms to Sailors, and so we're excited to roll out the Type III in Navy Region Southeast earlier than originally planned."

Christina Giordano Mid-South District Vice President explained that "NEX associates throughout the stores in Pensacola have been answering Sailors' questions and assisting with any issue regarding sizing and manner of wear. We will continue to support our Sailors with all uniform regulation matters."

"Throughout the region we were prepared and continue to be fully stocked and ready with the Type III uniform," said Kevin Comer, NEXCOM Southeast District vice president located in Jacksonville.

Katie, a Navy Reservist based out of Jacksonville picked up her Type III uniform on Monday. She said, "NEX Mayport was fully stocked and the NEX uniform associates were incredibly helpful and pulled a variety of sizes to ensure a correct fit."

In accordance with NAVADMIN214/17, individual commanding officers will determine certain items for wear at their commands, such as the color/type of boot and ballcap. On Oct. 1, Recruit Training Command Great Lakes began issuing the Type III uniform with black boots to all new recruits and, by Oct. 1, 2019, the Type III uniform will be a mandatory seabag item for all Navy Sailors.

As the NEX rolls out the Type III within each region, the legacy Type I "blue camouflage" uniforms will be removed from the NEX shelves to make room for the Type III NWUs. However, Sailors will still be able to purchase Type I components by calling the NEX Uniform Support Call Center.

Type III uniforms are also currently available in Navy Regions Hawaii and Southwest.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Navy Exchange Service Command, visit www.navy.mil/.