Hot Sailors Could Finally Strip To Their Undershirts In Proposed Working Uniform

If you Google “In The Navy,” after you scroll through some other stuff, you'll strike a few hits on the Navy’s unlucky history with uniforms. Most recently, in 2010, the Navy forced sailors to wear a short-lived blue camouflage uniform that was derisively dubbed “blueberries” or “aquaflage.” Now, the service is trying to avoid the pitfalls of the past as it tests three new prototypes for a new two-piece working uniform.

• From now until September, roughly 300 sailors from 31 commands will wear-test the three prototype uniforms, which come in light-and-dark blue variants for seamen and petty officers, along with a khaki version for chiefs and officers, said Navy Capt. Mark Runstrom, of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
• “The two-piece prototype complements the coverall as an option to work in,” Runstrom said in an email. “It would be worn in any working environment, similar to when we had wash khaki's and dungarees.”
• Sailors have requested a two-piece working uniform in focus groups and surveys, which would allow the sailors to take off their blouses to work in their undershirts in high temperatures and when safety conditions require doing so, Navy officials said.
• There is not yet a date by which the Navy will make a decision on whether to issue the new working uniforms, said Lt. Jamie Seibel, a spokeswoman for Fleet Forces Command. The service will conduct focus groups and analysis of the results after the wear test is over, she said.
• The Navy has not announced any plans to wear test other uniforms seen in its 1979 “In The Navy” recruiting video, including construction worker gear, Native American-influenced garb, or leather biker attire.

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