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What are some of the regulations about what uniforms to wear when? How do you know when to wear khakis instead of whites? Dress whites instead of blues? Can you wear any of your uniforms when you are not on duty? Does anyone do that? I don't live in a military town, so I don't get to see anyone walking around in uniform to know if it is done. Are the uniforms seasonal? Blues in the fall winter? Whites in the spring summer? A long question, but I have ALWAYS wondered but just forgot to ask. Also, how much can it cost to get a full dress blue uniform with all the regalia? I assume it is not given to you. How about chevrons (enlisted) or shoulder boards or stripes. How much does all that jazz cost?
Not exactly a question relating to aviation, but something I have been wanting to know.
And lastly, when do you learn all this. Read a book? Or do they tell you how it is done in OCS?
-----OracleMSU--------
Oracle, for some reason, the forum won't let me post a reply to your topic, will debug later... anyways, here is an answer to it:
Those are some pretty good questions. Let's see, you generally switch between whites and blues in October, but that is really dependent on where you are stationed, and the temperature and weather. Up north, they would be switching to the blues alot sooner than down south. Blues aren't the most comfortable clothing in the heat. In some places like Hawaii, they never change to blues, and you wear whites year round. My peacoat sat in the back of my closet for 3 whole years, then I had to go to Submarine School in Roton Groton, Connecticut, boy was it appreciated then. So yes, the uniforms are seasonal, blues fall, whites spring as you said, the Navy sets a switch over date as a whole, but the base commanders will modify the date based on their location.
Yes you can wear your uniform off duty (though technically you are ALWAYS on duty 24/7), but there are limitations on what uniforms you are allowed to wear in public. Mostly this affect the enlisted, they are not allowed to wear their dungarees off base, you can drive to and from work in them, stop and get gas, etc. but no shopping in the mall with them so to speak. Also, concerning the flight suits, each base has different rules on whether or not you can wear them off base.
I think you are talking about our Service Dress Blues, which is basically like a suit and a tie, with the rank on the cuff of the sleeves. The next uniform higher than that is the Dinner Dress Blues (I don't have a set of those, used for special, once in a blue moon occassions). I think it cost me around $300 for the whole SDBs, shirt, pants and coat, maybe a little less. The jazz as you put it doesn't cost that much, but ribbons can become a pain in the butt to maintain, I recommend scotch guarding them so they don't get stained (oil from your hands) from repeatedly taking them on and off your uniforms and handling them. I have 3 sets of ribbons ready, though honestly I haven't worn my khakis in 4 months, and all my uniforms are sitting in closet in the cleaning bags.
You learn most of this in OCS, when they teach you the proper care, maintenance, and most importantly the tricks on how to wear a uniform correctly. Ribbon, nametag, collar device placement, etc. Plus tricks to make the uniform fit and wear correctly. Not to mention the joy of shining shoes.
Hope that answers your questions.
For more information on what to wear and when, and the standards required, visit the Navy Uniform Regulations online:
http://www.persnet.navy.mil/cdrom/dev/cd/unireg/CHAPTER1.PDF
The JAG TV series aside, usually when you transfer (and check into a command) you wear your Service Dress Blues. With schools commands you usually just check in in your khakis. Some people actually wear their uniforms when traveling (on orders), though when you go overseas, in some cases it is prohibited for safety reasons.
When on leave, no you aren't required to wear your uniform. But on MAC flights you are required to wear your uniform (last I heard, though they tend to change their rules).
Khakis are your day to day work clothes, and is the usual uniform of the day when not wearing the bag. Summer whites are usually required during formal occassions....
Hope that helps.