Service dress khaki wear tests underway

[CommunityEditor]

Wear tests of a throwback service dress khaki uniform have begun at six Navy locations and will continue through the summer.

“Sailors should be aware the service dress khaki [tests] for E-7 and above are underway and they will soon see this uniform out and about,” said Rob Carroll, head of the Navy Uniform Matters office.

The khaki tests are part of a number of wear tests currently underway around the Navy. Other wear tests include attempts to improve the current enlisted service dress white and blue “crackerjacks.”

Chiefs and officers will test the khaki uniform in Washington, D.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Millington, Tenn.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Newport R.I.; and Yokosuka, Japan. Carroll said testers are expected to wear the uniform as a travel uniform, too.

The uniform, popular during World War II, was worn through the Vietnam War. It was done away with in sweeping changes by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt.

The tests will run through Aug. 25.

Wear testers will fill out online surveys and participate in focus groups about the uniform, Carroll said, and sailors who had frequent contact with those wearing the uniforms also will take part in focus groups.


Article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/navy_khakiweartest_043008w/

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

Wear tests of a throwback service dress khaki uniform have begun at six Navy locations and will continue through the summer.Would you think it rude of me to suggest that this story falls into the same category as designing a new reflective belt for wear with PT gear does?

Possibly if the entire staff of the project that resulted in this "new" uniform being produced had been assigned to standards assurance there wouldn't have been two USN ships found to be unfit to deploy to a combat zone.

On the other hand, I suppose that providing employment for the less than brilliant can be seen as socially beneficial.

Would anyone like to take a guess at now many new "non-combat related" uniforms have been introduced since "Mission Accomplished"?

My count is eight, but I could well be wrong.

[snipe_cpo]

And so the bad idea's continue to recurculate. The Navy actually asked the Chiefs back in the 90's if we would like that uniform again, We said NO. Now its being tested again, the question is What function does this uniform serve? none,

[Unregistered]

I absolutely love the appearance of this uniform. I think it presents a sharp, professional image as well as a functional uniform. Chiefs, have always been the epitome of the Navy professional Sailor and I think this uniform helps to portay that image. It is clean cut, and has a variety of options which allow the Chief to walk the deckplates in the performance of their duties and within seconds be able change into a more formal uniform with the addition of the tie and jacket.

[snipe_cpo]

I absolutely love the appearance of this uniform. I think it presents a sharp, professional image as well as a functional uniform. Chiefs, have always been the epitome of the Navy professional Sailor and I think this uniform helps to portay that image. It is clean cut, and has a variety of options which allow the Chief to walk the deckplates in the performance of their duties and within seconds be able change into a more formal uniform with the addition of the tie and jacket.

The cloths make the man.

I can not disagree more.

Leadership, and professionalism do not emanate from your clothing. It does not radiate from the khaki or the anchors on your collar. The Chief is the Chief, if even standing in ski vies. Its the dedication, the knowledge and leadership you display each and every day. Its knowing your Job, your ship, and your crew. its teaching your JO, and making them leaders of men, It training your subordinates to replace you. It sharing your knowledge willingly. Being a Chief Petty Officer, and Leader in the most powerful Navy the world has ever seen is professional enough. Dressing to Impress Officers, is silly, They know how professional a CPO is, Those that don't will never be impressed, or give there respect, no matter what uniform you wear. Dressing to Impress the Junior enlisted again is not required, They aspire to be as professional.

[CDE]

I have a very important question, "WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!????" Is there an actual need for this? Will this be yet another uniform I have to have? I think my current inventory is quite sufficient. Unless this is going to replace 2 other uniforms can we please say, "enough!" with the uniform changes for now? I think we need to take a time-out and reassess what it is we are doing with our uniforms - sort of like a safety standdown. Forgive me for being cynical, but somehow I think the process will be "gamed" and this uniform will be forced on us. STOP THE MADNESS!

[Smeghead]

Now that this has been out being tested for a while, what's the current opinion? I've seen MCPON Campa and Adm Mullen all over AFN wearing theirs. I'm AF and quite like the throwback blues we're going to, we needed something to replace the blue Walmart suit. But I didn't see a need for a new uniform for you guys, what you had said Navy perfectly to me.

[JustUhGrrl]

Yuck. Forget getting any poon when your on liberty wearing that thing. Instead of beggin my man to put on his uniforms I'll be begging him to take that thing off. Haha... but thats just the impractical ladies side. Haha

[FITZPATRICKRN]

One clear indicator for me that this uniform is a bad idea is that my dad (who retired from the Navy in the 70's) loves it. You guys are off course here: lets ditch it now, while we still can!

[CDE]

I was almost embarrassed to see ADM Mullen on national TV wearing this thing. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ME WEAR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm waiting for a version with shorts where we have knee high black socks and instead of a sword we can opt for a ceremonial metal detector.

[bodemp]

Khaki knee socks, people, khaki!
Except for whites, in which you wore white knee socks.
Those of us who had duty in WESTPAC remember how comfortable and sharp they were.
As for SDKs, yeh, a throwback to when military folks looked like . . . military folks, and didn't go with every opsie-popsie fad. (some of us remember flaired polyester uniform trousers)
The SDK were a great-looking summer uniform, and were more practical than whites for looking good at work.
They were sacrificed on the alter of Salt-and-peppers, which didn't last long, and began the slippery slope of "fashionable" uniform changes.
The uniform may not make the man, but the first time you put on a set of SDKs, you feel goooooood!
As for some ladies wanting their men out of the SDKs this old salt says . . . "Yeee-Hah!" go for it guys.
What is truly needed is a warm summer office dress uniform for White Hats.
Dungarees were too rough-looking.
Dress and Undress Whites were nice, but were still whites.
The Coasties have a nice blue outfit that is comfortable, yet dressy in summer.
C'mon Navy, put your heads into this.

[MPLisa]

That is a cool uniform and too bad I'm retired. My Dad wore it proudly during his 23 year career, and I would have liked to do so as well. Better than the salt n peppers, the gestapo "blacks", the dixie cup good humors. Yeah, the Navy is best off sticking to something like tradition. Let's just hope they don't bring back beards, or long side burns, etc.

[Chris_Stew]

The cloths make the man.

I can not disagree more.

Leadership, and professionalism do not emanate from your clothing. It does not radiate from the khaki or the anchors on your collar. The Chief is the Chief, if even standing in ski vies. Its the dedication, the knowledge and leadership you display each and every day. Its knowing your Job, your ship, and your crew. its teaching your JO, and making them leaders of men, It training your subordinates to replace you. It sharing your knowledge willingly. Being a Chief Petty Officer, and Leader in the most powerful Navy the world has ever seen is professional enough. Dressing to Impress Officers, is silly, They know how professional a CPO is, Those that don't will never be impressed, or give there respect, no matter what uniform you wear. Dressing to Impress the Junior enlisted again is not required, They aspire to be as professional.


I have to agree with some of this. Leadership and profesionalism does not eminate from your clothing. But the problem with this is unit cohesion. It is not there. Hence the phrases "Kahki's" and "Blueshirts". When do we go back to being "Sailors". One uniform design for all. Also the person makes the uniform not the other way around. That part I can fully agree upon. Unfortunately, upon my retirement, I seen that my leadership was in a square box called a computer. There are a few good Chiefs out there that will stick up for there people, train them and even turn wrenches with them. But you can't know your subordinates thru the emails that you get on your computer. I miss my sailors that I had working for me and hope that this gets someone to realize that the Chiefs that we are developing today are starting to become a dissappointment for the subordinates. They are the knowledge and the backbone of the Navy. I hope that all sailors can look at their chiefs and say " Thats my chief" and say it proudly. And to all the chiefs that read this. I mean no disrespect to you. But would like you to take some thought into this.

[BoxKicker]

what happened to looking towards the future? It seems like we are all going to be looking like early 1900's sailors.

[Maj RS Rayfield Jr. USMC]

Service Dress Khaki has been a traditional uniform for decades; it was a mistake to get rid of it. There is no summer equivalant to the dress blues encompassing a tie to wear in the summer. This uniform is badly needed, otherwise, a winter uniform is employed as a year-round uniform. In the past, traditionally, dark colors (blues/greens) were worn in the winter; light shades were worn in the summer (whites/khakis). This adds balance to the array of uniforms and hopefully this will have a positive affect on the other services to bring their summer khaki uniforms back.

[Smeghead]

This adds balance to the array of uniforms and hopefully this will have a positive affect on the other services to bring their summer khaki uniforms back.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Air Force silver-tan come back

[ty5486]

My issue is the statement that says we can walk the deckplates, then in the blink of an eye put on the jacket (and the tie???) and go to a formal function...I think not. I was always getting paint, grease, dirt etc on my working khakis on the ship. Not to mention wrinkled pants, boots vs. shoes, shipboard and body odors...this isn't something that is feasible, and while I don't hate the way it looks, I also don't plan to lay down what I'm sure will approach $200 for the jacket unless they tell me I have to. Unlike the CPOs I don't get a uniform allowance...

[lswartz]

The main reason I have heard for reviving SDKs is that it will be much better for ships going on deployment--rather than have to bring along whites/blues, you just bring the coat and tie, making the seabag lighter. I for one would have loved not having to bring whites (a whole uniform, plus an extra pair of shoes and a big combination cover) when going out to sea.

Does anyone know if this uniform is approved yet (or what the timeline is for it getting approved)? I see the CNO/CJCS in it all the time, it would be nice for them to at least give us a schedule...

[WARCRIMINAL]

Why not bring back the Aviation Greens too? It seems when it comes to Navy uniforms, the only thing we're consistant at is being inconsistant!

[Bruce]

I don't mind going back to the old look khakis. It seems that all of the services are getting a bit nostalgic these days. But, perhaps the Navy should also retain the Aviation Greens for pilots.

[Bruce]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Air Force silver-tan come back

The AF is coming out with a belted uniform that looks more like the old RAF uniform, but not as nice. Personally, I'd like to see the AF bring back the WWII-era "pinks" (khaki pants with olive, belted jackets). The Army is shelving its Green Class A uniform in favor of the classic blues, however, they are adding so many pins that majors and above will soon look like Soviet field marshalls. The Marines still have the sharpest uniform, having never bothered to mess with success, and our Navy is adopting their style for our enlisted.

[CUSEFAN21]

I don;t see a problem with this uniform for E-7 and up at all i think it's a smart looking uniform that should have never went to the wayside many years back. Being a retired E-6 i don't mind seeing the difference between the "Khaki's" and the "Blues" it;s what makes the many and associates the differences during liberty

[GunneyChief]

Of all the uniform changes you could complain about the Service Dress Kahki should be the last one. You are being changed to wear a uniform taken directly from the Marine Corps Manual including the blocked cap. All you change is the color of the pants and yet you complain about the one uniform that personified the Navy for many years. As for being a professional yes a chief is expected to be a professional in and out of uniform but all of you know that a man who does not project a uniform, neat, professional appearence is taken as a joke and nothing more. First impressions are based on appearence more so than knowledge. With luck if you are good you can over come a poor first impression. This uniform if taken seriously can replace two and quit possibly more uniforms in you seabag. No jacket and tie and you are ready to get down to work. Have a meeting that will take you off base put on the tie and jacket and you are once again ready to master the fleet. Having suffered through the age of Zummies and some of you remember what those are, I changed my uniform requirements more often then most of you changed skivies. This is a good change and while it may seem expensive up front you will appreciate the change. If I were you I would concentrate more on developing new methods of search and recovery for when someone is lost at sea wearing the new digi-blue camies. We may have to bring back the carbon arc seach lights.

[Yggdrasil]

Bringing back the dress khaki is a stupid idea, IMHO. From my readings, the reason it was gotten rid of in the first place was because CPOs and officers had to wear this thing in the middle of the summer, and it was hot and uncomfortable as hell.

So people want to bring this uniform back in a lame attempt to look and/or feel "old school".

I mean, making the the E6 and below dress whites with piping, I understand, because at least this uniform would actually be replacing the dress whites that's in the E6 and below seabag now.

So if this service dress khaki gets approved, CPO's and officers will be required to have THREE dress uniforms? I'd bet my very life that the SDK is NOT going to replace the current dress blues and dress whites. Those two uniforms aren't going anywhere.

And anyone who thinks that the SDK is going to provide the "convenience" of being able to go from a working uniform to a dress uniform by simply adding a khaki dress coat obviously hasn't been paying attention to the uniform changes.

Afterall, what working uniform are you going to add this khaki dress coat to? Your wash khakis? HELLO??? The wash khakis are going away! By the time the SDK comes out, there will be no such thing as wash khakis - the NWU is your working uniform! If you need to go formal from your NWU, you have to change into a completely different uniform - and I'm no Einstein or physicist, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it would take about the same amount of time to put on an SDK as it would an SDB, from taking off your NWU.

Even IF the wash khakis were being kept (which they are not), do people honestly think that E6 and below don't find themselves in situations where they have to go from a working uniform to something more formal, with little notice? How many times have you been told, with less than ten minutes notice, that you have the next quarterdeck watch? When you were a Seaman, how many times have you been stuck with colors, because the person who had it on the watchbill was nowhere to be found? Yet I don't see any blue shirts asking for an E6 and below equivalent to the SDK. What gives?

[SMC(SW)Ret.]

Sometimes "throwback" uniforms are great like when I first came in the Navy and we got our "Cracker-Jacks" back. And while the "new" uniform looks ok (I do have a picture of my grandfather in his (PhMC (what is now now HMC)) I am glad I am retired and not wearing that mess. Yeah more stuff to try and keep pressed in your locker...Are they going to buy the first set for you or will they raise the uniform allowance? I mean service dress khakis? Come on....

[ScottyJF03]

The Marines, Army, and Air Force each have only one dress uniform (incidentally of a dark color), why not just make SDB’s the standard uniform, it’s already authorized year round and it results in one less thing to carry and spend funds on.

The other thing I hate about the SDK, is now shoes will think they are entitled to wear khaki leathers.

[jeffersj]

...

The other thing I hate about the SDK, is now shoes will think they are entitled to wear khaki leathers.

What makes you say that?

Obviously I don't speak for all Black Shoe Sailors, but I never felt entitled to wear brown shoes just because I happened to be a Chief and they're an optional item for us.

Saw no sense in owning and maintaining an optional pair of shoes with matching hosiery. Had enough to keep track of without that.