source GAIA package: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6200810812190316_5675.zip Origin key: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6200810812190316 imported at Fri Jan 8 18:18:02 2016
Days after sailors began reacting angrily to new restrictions on rules for wear for the new Navy Working Uniform, a spokeswoman for the chief of naval operations says those tough rules won’t stay in place forever.
After announcing the rollout schedule for the blue-and-gray camouflage uniform, Navy leadership said sailors will not be able to get out of their cars while traveling off base while wearing the uniform, unless it’s for a road or medical emergency. The rules for the uniforms being replaced — utilities for enlisted and wash khakis for chiefs and officers — do allow for short stops, such as picking up children from day care and going to the convenience store on the way home.
Whether those harsh rules will be changed will be up to top enlisted leaders, said Cmdr. Pamela Kunze, spokeswoman for Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead.
“CNO has directed [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/SW) Rick] West to work with the chief’s leadership mess to ensure success of the roll out to the Fleet,” she said. “When the chief’s mess is confident proper standards of wear are understood and practiced, MCPON will provide their recommendations to the Uniform Board and CNO for modifications to the occasion of wear policy.”
Kunze noted Roughead is taking a conservative approach to the uniform’s fleet debut.
“This uniform roll out is the largest we have ever had of a uniform that is significantly different from our previous and current working uniforms,” she said. “It is the first Battle Dress Utility type uniform to be worn by all sailors (E1 to O10).”
As a result, she said, Roughead wanted to take a conservative approach at first and then later revisit the issue once West says the chief’s in the fleet are satisfied.
