San Diego, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2004) - Yeoman 1st Class Erin Morgan stands at attention as she models the khaki option of the year-round concept service uniform for Sailors E-6 and below. Chief of Naval Operations directed Command Master Chief Robert B. Carroll, director of Task Force Uniform, made the presentation of khaki and gray uniform options at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Calif., and says the uniforms were developed from a response to the fleet's feedback on current uniforms. The wear test for service and working uniform concepts is scheduled for this winter. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Brandan W. Schulze.

New Service Uniform available July 31
Washington (NNS) -- The new E1-E6 Service Uniform (SU) will be available for purchase in Great Lakes and California Navy Exchanges starting July 31, according to NAVADMIN 190/08.

The SU is for year-round wear and replaces the summer white and winter blue uniforms. It is authorized to be worn for office work, watchstanding, liberty or business ashore when prescribed as the uniform of the day.

The new uniform is the result of significant research and input from the fleet.

"Over 500 Sailors participated in a six-month wear-test, evaluating four diverse uniform concepts, designs and colors," said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson. Overwhelmingly, the approved SU design was selected above the other three.

Sailors will have up to 24 months to purchase the new uniform, depending on their duty station location. The mandatory wear date for all E1-E6 personnel is July 2010. Clothing replacement allowances for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 were increased to cover the purchasing of two sets of new uniforms by July 2010.

Basic SU components include a short-sleeved khaki shirt for males and a short sleeved khaki overblouse for females; black trousers with black belt and silver buckle for males and black beltless slacks for females.

Collar insignia consists of miniature silver anodized metal rank insignia for E2-E6. Petty officers will wear large silver anodized metal rank insignia on their garrison cap. Males must wear a white undershirt.

Optional components include a black, Eisenhower-style jacket with epaulets, black pullover v-neck sweater and black skirt, beret and handbag for females

The SU will be available for purchase via Navy Exchange uniform centers as follows:

July 08, Great Lakes and California
Oct 08, Northwest and Hawaii
Jan 09, Gulf region and Millington, Tenn.
April 09, Naval District Washington
July 09, Tidewater
Oct 09, Southeast
Jan 10, Northeast
April 10, Europe/Japan/Guam

Existing E1-E6 summer white and winter blue uniforms will continue to be authorized for wear until the July 2010 mandatory wear date.

Reserve component Sailors will receive their uniforms via their respective Navy Operational Support Centers.

For more information on uniforms and uniforms policy, visit the uniform matters Web site at www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/usnavyuniforms/.

Guidelines for wearing new PT uniform announced
Washington (NNS) -- Sailors now have the regulation and manner of wear for the Navy's new Physical Training uniform (PTU) with the release of NAVADMIN 191/08, July 9.

"Commands should be ready to hold group PT in the official PTU on October first, but Sailors should know they can mix and match the shirt and shorts when exercising on their own or when on liberty," said Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, Chief of Naval Personnel.

The PTU, now available in Navy Exchanges, is required for command and unit physical training, and the semi-annual physical fitness assessment (PFA) beginning October 1. The PTU may also be worn on and off base for fitness or leisure, unless determined otherwise by regional coordinators or commanding officers.

During command exercise in port, the PTU shirt must be tucked into the shorts; during individual PT, or on liberty, shirts may be worn in or out of shorts. At sea, the wearing of the PTU will be at the discretion of the commanding officer.

The PTU cannot be worn while in a duty status or when conducting official business on base such as visiting medical treatment, galleys or Personnel Support Detachments.

Ferguson said the Uniform Matters Office has received many useful comments about the PTU design and quality, and that the shirt and shorts will be constantly improved over the next few years.

"We're listening to your feedback. We're already making improvements in the liner for the shorts, and we're working to make the shirt longer and less transparent when it gets wet," he said.