The Uniforms of the Navy

There are many uniforms when it comes to the United States Navy, including dress, service and working uniforms. All play essential roles in rank and occasions in the daily life of Navy personnel.

Types of service dress

Dress uniforms are categorized into three groups: service dress, the least formal, full dress, and the most formal, dinner dress. Service dress is worn for official functions such as reporting to a command. Officers and chief petty officers are given blue, white and khaki service dress uniforms to wear as appropriate per occasion. Ribbons are worn on the left breast on every variation of the service dress uniform, while display of ranks vary.

Full and dinner dress

Full dress uniforms are similar to service dress, however full-size medals replace the ribbons on the left breast pocket, and also requires a white pistol belt, dress aiguilette and ascott, with white canvas leggings. Full dress uniforms are usually worn for decommissions, retirements, funerals, promotions, etcetera. Dinner dress is the most formal and has the most variations of all the dress uniforms, which are only required for chiefs and officers.

Service uniforms

Service uniforms, worn daily, are available in several variations according to positions that interact with the public and office environments. Service khaki and white uniforms are only worn by commissioned officers, chief warrant officers and chief petty officers. Junior enlisted personnel uniforms consist of khaki shirts, black trousers and optional black skirt for females. This uniform is also worn by JROTC members.

Working uniforms

Navy working uniforms have three variants: woodland, desert and a predominately blue with some gray. All uniforms have pixellated patterns to hide wear and stains and are made of a cotton nylon blend which eliminates the need for starching and pressing the uniform and allows the garment last longer. Coveralls are used for mechanical and engineering jobs to avoid ruining uniforms.

The United States Navy has several guidelines for their uniforms and the many variations of them. It also seems as though unless a person were well acquainted with the navy life or were in the navy, it would likely be difficult to pick out the rank of a Navy personnel.