CHAPTER 10
UNIFORMS AND FORMATIONS
Today’s Navy has narrowed the gap between men’s
and women’s career paths. Women now perform many
of the same tasks and have the same specialties as their
male counterparts. These changes caused Navy uniform
policy to change, bringing the uniforms of both men and
women more closely in line with each other. Navy
uniforms are distinctive visual evidence of the authority
and responsibility vested in their wearer by the United
States.
Because Navy ways are new to you, many questions
probably have crossed your mind, such as, “What is that
officer’s rank”? “What does that petty officer’s insignia
mean”? “What does that pin stand for”? This chapter
explains officer grades; precedence; authority; the
enlisted rating structure; and how to wear, mark, and
exchange uniforms.
The United States Navy has had a basic uniform
policy for many years. The purpose of the uniform
policy is to ensure that naval personnel have attractive,
distinctive, and practical uniforms. U.S. Navy Uniform
Regulations, NAVPERS 15665, provides the basic
naval uniform policy. You can download the U.S. Navy
Uniform Regulations from the BUPERS homepage at
www.bupers.navy.mil. When you get to this page, select
the “services” button and look under “uniform matters.”
WEARING THE UNIFORM
Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you
will be able to—
Recognize uniform components.
Identify the proper procedures for wearing
uniforms.
Your dress and conduct should always reflect credit
upon yourself, the Navy, and the United States. It should
be a matter of personal pride to present the best possible
appearance in your manner of dress and grooming.
You are given a complete issue of regulation
clothing when you enter the Navy. The maintenance of
your uniform and the replacement of articles of clothing
are your responsibility. You cannot use the excuse, “I
have nothing fit to wear,” or “I’m out of clean uniforms.”
ENLISTED MEN
Look at figures 10-1 and 10-2. Here, most enlisted
(E-6 and below) men’s uniforms are shown. Uniforms
must be tailored according to the specifications in the
following paragraphs:
The dress blue and dress white jumpers must hang
straight and be the same length. The sleeves of the dress
white jumper are cut square at the cuff openings.
The dress white trousers have a zipper front and
are the same length as the blue trousers. A white belt
with a regulation buckle is worn with the white uniform.
The belt should be of the same fabric as the uniform.
The neckerchief is 36 inches square and made of
black silk, acetate, or other suitable material. It is folded
diagonally to form a triangle, then rolled (fig.10-3) and
placed around the neck under the collar. It is tied (fig.
10-4) in a square knot with both ends of equal length and
falling naturally. The upper edge of the knot must be
even with the lowermost point of the collar opening.
Neckerchiefs are worn with both the dress blue and the
dress white uniforms. (NOTE: For enlisted women
neckerchiefs are worn with dress white uniform only.)
Dress blue and dress white jumpers. The dress
10-1
You shall wear your uniforms properly as described in these regulations. Naval
personnel must present a proud and professional appearance that will reflect
positively on the individual, the Navy, and the United States. The uniforms of the
United States Navy and the indications of rank and specialty displayed thereon,
are but outward symbols of naval organization and military rank or rating. As
such, the Navy uniform is a visibly important element in the morale, pride,
discipline and effectiveness of the organization.
—U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, NAVPERS 15665
