---
title: "Why the Navy wears ‘rainbow jerseys’ on flight decks and what each color means"
description: "Why does the Navy wear rainbow shirts on their flight decks? Do the colors matter? What does each one mean? We have the answers for you."
date: "2022-03-11"
modified: "2022-03-11"
authors:
  - name: "Rebecca Rosen"
    job_title: "Video Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/rebecca-rosen/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-flight-deck-shirt-colors/"
categories:
  - "Military Branches"
  - "Navy"
  - "News"
---

# Why the Navy wears ‘rainbow jerseys’ on flight decks and what each color means

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/11/cover-scaled-e1647028176991.jpg>)
*Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Malcolm Grandison, from Charlotte, North Carolina, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) air department, operates the jaws-of-life on Ford’s flight deck during a flight deck olympics, June 15, 2021. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST). The U.S. Navy conducts shock trials of new ship designs using live explosives to confirm that our warships can continue to meet demanding mission requirements under harsh conditions they might encounter in battle. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brett Walker)*

If you've ever seen a video or photo of Navy sailors on a flight deck at sea, you've probably noticed their distinctive colored shirts. I mean, it's kind of hard not to. They're very bright.

What you probably don't know, however, is *why* they wear them. We did the research for you, and have helpfully compiled it into this one video, so you never have to wonder again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmj_7coywtA

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## Author
Rebecca Rosen is Task and Purpose’s only dedicated Video Editor. She has been working with the brand since 2019. Rebecca creates video content for the Task & Purpose website and social channels, and has also assisted with video for The Drive.Â