Sweeping uniform changes emphasize gender neutrality, do you support this?

2015-10-09T12:17:44-04:00

NAVY Secretary Ray Mabus introduces the gender neutral uniforms for Navy women. It will now be. The same "Crackerjack" whites, and eventually blues, as the men, plus "Dixie Cups" and combination covers. Women will eventually have a "choker" dress white uniform for formal wear. No mention of the Marines or if their uniforms will also become "unisex." Whose on board with these historic changes, pun intended???

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 9 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-10-09T12:20:02-04:00

Always changing the uniform. The Navy changes uniforms like babies change diapers! When will this end?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-10-09T12:20:24-04:00

I think they just make sense. There are some uniforms (Khakis come to mind) that make sense to have different uniforms for, but the different covers just never made sense to me.

Overall this will save the military money and drive the cost of uniforms down due to reduced variations.

They did a very elaborate wear test for female sailors and they were generally happier with the male uniforms anyways.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-10-09T12:23:07-04:00

I guess that will save on money .... or not ...

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Oct 9 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-10-09T13:27:15-04:00

I'm not against these changes, with the exception of retaining those godawful NWU Type I rags. Perhaps, just perhaps, mind you, Big Navy could see fit to allow those poor souls at China Lake and El Centro the benefit of wearing lightweight aqua-flauge. That aside, I hope they ditch that thing soon. It's not worth the time or the effort, which has now stretched to over a decade and millions of dollars.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 9 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-10-09T14:53:55-04:00

I for one honestly don't care one way or the other (mostly because I'm retired and don't have to worry about these things anymore, LOL) but I would like to hear the opinions of those still on active duty.

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member already gave a very educated opinion and I would also like to hear from PO1 Andrew Gardiner and maybe a few of our active duty female Sailors out there.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 7:45 PM

2015-10-09T19:45:46-04:00

Way overdue!
The female dress blues were way too different for any sense of uniformity.
I never discussed them with a woman that liked them; although they weren't in favor of this concept either, and on a non-integrated ship I didn't talk to many.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 11:15 PM

2015-10-09T23:15:16-04:00

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-10-10T20:36:35-04:00

I can't lie I'm pretty excited not to have to wear the current dress blues or our cover anymore! The covers they outfit us with are not only kind of strange looking but pretty expensive and really easy to smash or mess up. I'm stoked to have the same uniforms the men do for financial reasons alone.

Response by CPO Jerry Smith made Oct 13 at 2015 12:47 PM

2015-10-13T12:47:16-04:00

I'm retired so it doesn't affect me either way, but have one question what's the need in all these changes. Don't the Navy have other things to worry about? The Marines have it right don't change.

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Oct 13 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-10-13T13:38:01-04:00

Sheer idiocy and waste of money! More PC crap.

Response by MCPO Tom Miller made Oct 13 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-10-13T13:55:49-04:00

Being old Navy, I hated any changes that destroyed traditional appearances. I remember how much we liked the flat hat, but because hitch hiking was a great way to go home and with a pea coat your appearance was hard to see at night and a few sailors were killed. Chambray shirts and dungaree pants were the work uniform and a cheap recognizable traditional hard working look with easy storage. Your uniform allowance never was enough to meet standards, but it was close. Engineers who worked in hot dirty climates where oil stains were promatic suffered the most, but uniforms weren't to costly to replace. The Navy has always been unique in their traditional appearance and to move away from tradition is a pride remover. I would love to see the flat hat come back. Our Corpsman who serve with the Marines wear their uniform and feel honored to do so. I think easy care less expensive uniforms are within tradition, but large changes away from our recognizable traditional uniforms are a mistake. What has served us well in the past should not be tinkered with to sell uniform changes. Black pants and kaki shirts? What's traditional about this? Also included within our path was to put on the hat as being chief was everyone goal. With this PC introduction into leadership has many of us old salts concerned. I had a sticker on my car that said "Sailors have more fun." now when you return off Liberty, it's breathalyzer time. Pride was so ingrained in daily life the name shipmate was everyone's most important saying. To be called a politician was as bad as it could get. You honored your ships name and would be willing to physically fight for it! It wasn't the money that kept us in, it was pride of country and great leadership and below decks laughter.

Response by SCPO Don Baker made Oct 13 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-10-13T14:38:15-04:00

Personally, I'd like to see Ms. Mabus, pick up his purse and take his constant worrying over gender issues and go away.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 5:40 PM

2015-10-13T17:40:29-04:00

Some of the female uniforms suited their figure better (single-breasted SDBs, for example), but other uniforms seemed as if they were required to be different, so women got a runner-up design. I'm not sure the proposed choker uniforms will be great ideas, but switching the women's rank from sleeves to boards is a good idea: gold on white is hard to see and sleeves need to be tailored at every promotion.

Response by CPO S Raulerson made Oct 13 at 2015 6:07 PM

2015-10-13T18:07:48-04:00

Gender neutrality.....does this also mean we can expect to see PT standards changed to reflect every Sailor the same. As for uniforms, I really care less with the exception of the Dixie cup.

Response by PO1 Gregg Mundy made Oct 13 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-10-13T19:14:07-04:00

What are we trying to hide? Sorry SecNav if you don't want women or men in your Navy, well go hire some ROBOTS!! Men are Men and Women are Women and NEVER the two shall meet. Quit trying to satisfy everyone. The Navy has been changing uniforms for decades. When is this madness going to stop. I say NOW!! Dress a Male U S Naval Sailor Like a Male U S Naval sailor and a Female U S Naval Sailor like a Female U S Naval Sailor, Stop this madness and stick to the High standards of the U S Military.

Response by PO3 Rick Giordani made Oct 13 at 2015 8:48 PM

2015-10-13T20:48:51-04:00

I disagree with the gender neutrality uniform but this is part of the feminist movement backed by the Obama Administration

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 5:11 AM

2015-10-14T05:11:15-04:00

The only change is that females will be wearing the male uniform. What's neutral about that...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 6:01 AM

2015-10-14T06:01:23-04:00

I have never felt like I am less of a sailor because of the uniform I wear. And for this to be a way to "truly integrate women into the ranks" is insulting. Changing the uniform won't end gender discrimination or harassment, changing attitudes will.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 8:30 AM

2015-10-14T08:30:42-04:00

As I have stated in other replies; I am on the verge of being out, but I am all for it! I personally have never been a fan of our dress blues, always wore it with pride, but never really cared for it. It always looked so different to anything else we (the Navy) wore. I have had many people think I was Air Force.

Response by MCPO Dwayne Owens made Oct 14 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-10-14T13:20:42-04:00

They are called "uniforms",so why would they not be the same? Had a problem with that for years

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-10-14T16:23:17-04:00

I don't like the idea of having the same dress uniforms. Yes we are Sailors and yes we do the same jobs but we are made differently.

Response by PO2 Nick Burke made Oct 18 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-10-18T09:46:41-04:00

Mabus needs to get over this gender neutral krap. What about getting rid of the unsafe NWUs. Or will that have to wait until there are multiple deaths and serious injuries?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-10-18T12:50:25-04:00

The navy is always changing uniform, I mean you guys go through what? 12 a year? I don't understand gender neautral uniforms. It's as if the people who made this decision said "yep, female and male bodies are the same... But we'll still have differang PT tests"

The Marines I believe will be the last of us all to change a uniform. Even if directed by congresses to do so, I don't think they will.

Response by PO2 Angelika Laist made Oct 19 at 2015 5:10 PM

2015-10-19T17:10:18-04:00

This is ridiculous! Marine females are issued make-up to make sure there IS a gender difference!
If the military wants gender neutrality, everyone will have to do everything. All jobs will have to be open to women, and i don't think same men are going to like that. And neither do I. They are really trying to emphazise " you are nothing but a number"

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 7:55 PM

2015-11-01T19:55:38-05:00

It would be nice if EVERYONE who now must purchase additional items was issued one-time uniform allowance for this.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 24 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-12-24T00:04:19-05:00

Well, this is all in preparation for the inclusion of transgender personnel. A unisex uniform will eliminate any shenanigans about what uniform a service member will wear. With everyone being a sea lawyer these days it is essential they roll a unisex uniform.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 2:43 PM

2016-03-09T14:43:50-05:00

No. Cut this sh!t out! The world is going to stop revolving if someone gets their feelings hurt. All because they think they are someone they were not born as. Or they do not want to conform to some sort of societal norm. WHATEVER!!