Navy Leadership Encourages Task Force Uniform By Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Rebekah Caruso Navy News Service February 28, 2005 WASHINGTON - Sailors in the Pentagon and nearby Navy Annex have been testing new service uniforms as part of Task Force Uniform (TFU). Now three months into the test, these Sailors have started to form opinions on what they like and don't like, and are realizing the important role they play in TFU. "What we think about these uniforms could affect other Sailors and the Navy for years to come," said Yeoman 1st Class (SW) Dru Prevost, leading petty officer for the Chief of Naval Operations Administrative Office. Navy's top leadership has been strongly endorsing Sailor participation and input in the test. They hope to end the test period with a uniform choice that truly fits the needs of today's Sailors. "Our Sailors deserve to have a uniform that looks sharp, is comfortable, practical and that they are proud to wear," said Secretary of the Navy Gordon England. "Task Force Uniform offers every Sailor an opportunity to make an input into what your new uniform will be like. This is your opportunity to make a difference and have a say in the Navy's new uniforms." Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/AW) Terry D. Scott said that this test period is unique from previous uniform tests through the Navy's history, in the way test uniforms are being issued. "In the past, the Navy has taken a single uniform and given it to a single platform while giving other choices to those aboard other platforms," said Scott. "We've never given the individual Sailor the opportunity to test-wear each uniform option. Giving the individual the chance to test how each uniform performs and judge which components they like and dislike, gives them the most input and gives those constructing the uniforms the concrete feedback they can use to make a uniform the fleet wants." The Sailors involved in the test rotate the four different versions of the service uniform in order, according to a calendar. This ensures Sailors all over the Navy, at sea and ashore, will be testing the same uniform on the same day. There are 50 Sailors in various rates and positions in both the Pentagon and the Annex who are testing out the service uniform, intended to take the place of the working blues, working whites and the Certified Navy Twill. All the Sailors involved have been hearing opinions from their superiors and peers, as well as civilians and members of the other military branches. According to Chief Navy Counselor (SW/AW/FMF) Maurice Fitz, the Task Force Uniform point of contact for the Pentagon area, the testers also bear the responsibility to take note of, and weigh in their final opinions, the comments other Sailors make. "I advise these Sailors to keep track of the different opinions they encounter during their daily wear by writing them down," said Fitz. Every Sailor participating in the test received with the uniforms a notebook with directions for wear, the scheduling calendar, and room to take a lot of notes. So far, a lot of the comments have been positive, and they're not just coming from the Navy, either. "I've gotten a lot of feedback from other branches of the military," said Smith. "People seem to like it, some think it's a sharper look. It's definitely a change." "The CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) has asked me about it several times," said Prevost. "He wants to know how comfortable it is, how it's holding up for maintenance purposes, and which color I like best. He sincerely cares about what we think," she said. That interest from the CNO is reflected throughout the top leadership of the Navy, as they encourage Sailors to put thought into their feedback, and play an active role in getting their opinions heard. "Under the MCPON's leadership, Task Force Uniform is on the right course," said England. "I urge Sailors to provide their inputs and comments to the task force. The Navy wants to get this right, and your input is vital to identifying the best uniform for our Sailors." According to MCPON, it is just that type of input that has led the Navy in the direction it has taken so far. The test uniforms are a reflection of what the fleet surveys reflected a need for. "Before we started," said Scott, "the Sailors who participated in the fleetwide survey wanted affordable and durable uniforms that are practical for the environment they work in, while maintaining a professional military appearance, and decreasing the number of uniforms in the individual's sea bag. The uniforms now being tested in the fleet are the concepts that Task Force Uniform came up with, and the next Navywide survey will help TFU incorporate Sailors' suggestions for recommended improvements." While the Service Uniform is being tested in the Pentagon and Navy Annex, Task Force Uniform is also conducting testing out in the fleet for the concept Navy Working Uniform; the blue, black and gray camouflage uniform. There are two versions of the camouflage being tested by Sailors ranking E-1 through O-10. The styles, like those of the Service Uniform, also differ according to cut and pattern, though the coloration is consistent. Everyone is encouraged to discuss the uniforms with those Sailors participating in the test, so comments can be consolidated in the feedback forms the test-wearers will be submitting at the end of the test period.

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