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Task Force Uniform (TFU) to Make Changes to The Navy "Seabag"

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030318-12
Release Date: 3/18/2003 3:24:00 PM

From Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Hendrick L. Dickson, Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Task Force Uniform (TFU) met in Washington March 18 to begin laying the groundwork for an assessement of Navy uniforms and to discuss options for implementing a more professional, sensible, cost-effective set of uniforms for the fleet.

The TFU initiative began after Sailors in the fleet expressed concerns about the current status of Navy uniforms. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark determined there should be an evaluation of the uniform requirments. He tasked Master Chief of the Navy (SW/AW) Terry Scott to review the Navy's "seabag" to help meet the needs of tommorrow's Sailors.

"The rapidly changing Navy of the 21st century dictates our Sailors have uniforms that are going to provide the versatility, the durability and even the interchangeability they need," said Scott. "We need to make sure we are addressing those concerns. Our Sailors are going to be prepared for whatever lies ahead for the future."

For the next five months, representatives from various communities in the Navy, surface forces, naval air forces, submarines, Seabees and others, will be addressing those concerns, and other issues regarding the current status the seabag and uniform regulations. The assessement is expected to end Sept. 30 with a report to be presented to the CNO in October.

The TFU's goal is to evaluate the usefulness of each item against specific factors with an eye towards minimizing the number of uniform items required, and "keep what makes sense."

Some of the issues that will be addressed: developing a working uniform that can be used at sea or ashore and across all communities; establishing a service uniform for E-1 through E-6 that can be worn year-round; streamlining the Navy Uniform Regulations to make it more user-friendly and easy to read; and designing or redesigning uniforms to accomodate various body shapes and sizes.

Although several changes may be made upon the completion of the assessment, the more than 200 year history of the U.S. Navy will not be affected. Tradition, historical acceptance and longevity are factors TFU will consider before making a final decisions about any uniform.

"We are going to have a strong sense of tradition," said Scott. "We want to make sure our Sailors still feel like Sailors. I feel that is really important."

Sailors should not expect a drastic make-over in Navy fashion anytime soon, but what they can expect is a change that to be more convenient to them whether they are ashore or at sea.

"We are going to be taking a look and ensuring we have a set of uniform regulations that are easily understandable, enforcable and realistic to our Sailors," said Scott. "We don't want a complete make-over of uniform regulations. We want to make sense. If it doesn't make sense anymore, let's stop doing it. If it does make sense and should be in the regulations, let's address it and make sure it's there."