Posted on Apr 20, 2015
What do you think of the new Navy crackerjacks?
110K
760
262
25
25
0
The good news: Officials have the money for the long-awaited reboot of dress whites and dress blues.
The bad news: The money isn't available until 2016.
Money problems and a decision to roll-out new women's jumper-style dress blues in tandem with the men's have delayed the roll-out by a year for service dress blues; service dress whites will be delayed for two years.
Men and women, E-6 and below, will be able to buy the service dress blues at the Navy Exchange in early 2016, said Capt. Janet Bristol, head of the Uniform Matters Office. The uniforms are likely to be issued to recruits beginning Oct. 1, 2016, the start of fiscal year 2017. Funding for the crackerjack whites is earmarked for fiscal 2017.
"We are definitely going forward with it," she said in a recent interview. "We are still formalizing some of our final decisions on the timing and rollout schedule, but the funding is in place, the uniforms will be coming and I think the sailors will enjoy the new features."
The dress blues sport sure-to-be popular updates like a front zipper on the trousers that renders the 13 buttons purely decorative, and a side zipper on the blouse. The dress whites are set for the largest redesign in decades and will have tailored cuffs and piping that matches the blues. But not all changes are being well-received: Many female sailors complain that the "Dixie cup" is easily stained by makeup and doesn't fit hair buns.
Read the full story here: http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/2015/04/20/crackerjacks-sdw-sdb-new-uniforms-navy/21340721/
The bad news: The money isn't available until 2016.
Money problems and a decision to roll-out new women's jumper-style dress blues in tandem with the men's have delayed the roll-out by a year for service dress blues; service dress whites will be delayed for two years.
Men and women, E-6 and below, will be able to buy the service dress blues at the Navy Exchange in early 2016, said Capt. Janet Bristol, head of the Uniform Matters Office. The uniforms are likely to be issued to recruits beginning Oct. 1, 2016, the start of fiscal year 2017. Funding for the crackerjack whites is earmarked for fiscal 2017.
"We are definitely going forward with it," she said in a recent interview. "We are still formalizing some of our final decisions on the timing and rollout schedule, but the funding is in place, the uniforms will be coming and I think the sailors will enjoy the new features."
The dress blues sport sure-to-be popular updates like a front zipper on the trousers that renders the 13 buttons purely decorative, and a side zipper on the blouse. The dress whites are set for the largest redesign in decades and will have tailored cuffs and piping that matches the blues. But not all changes are being well-received: Many female sailors complain that the "Dixie cup" is easily stained by makeup and doesn't fit hair buns.
Read the full story here: http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/2015/04/20/crackerjacks-sdw-sdb-new-uniforms-navy/21340721/
Uniforms
Dress Uniform
Navy
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 107
23
23
0
I was one of "those sailors" that petitioned the SecNav to get our crackerjacks back in the first place. I put my "special order" in the very day we were authorized. Crackerjacks beat the hell out of any uniform the Navy had at the time, and even today. I hated looking like a milkman or some assinine version of the Air Force. Frankly, the current "uniform" - the digital baby blues - well, they suck dog balls and I've informed any and all that bring up the subject on that piss-poor choice of uniform for our sailors. We are not, in general, a ground force, so I don't particularly care if our sailors look the same as the Army or Marines. We are sailors - we go to sea in ships - and ships are meant to go in harm's way without the support of the Army. Give me a few good Sea Corporals to place stategically in the yardarms and weigh anchor.
(23)
(0)
PO1 Larry Monroe
The only thing that needs to change is that stupid "Dixie Cup" hat!! I hated it from the first day in boot camp.
(0)
(0)
PO2 Robert Cuminale
PO2 Burling I was transferred to a Public Works department in 71 and decided to wear dungarees, chambray shirt and dixie cup. So much easier than all the junk you had to do with Greens. No blousing springs, no starched 8 point cap. (I still have he turnbuckle form) no collar devices. All Seafarers that came out of the dryer ready to wear.
We got a Master Chief Utlitiesman in who had 42 years of service. So much gold on his arm I don't know how he lifted it. He got this idea of all BEES wearing Greens to establish esprit de corps for the men who had never been to a battalion. I refused for the reasons given. He was insisting until I handed him the Plan Of The Day. Nowhere did it say ship's company was to wear Greens. It specified what I was already wearing for E-6 and below. We were not part of a battalion. He accepted my argument and started wearing Khakis. I hadn't said anything but he was the one not in proper uniform. He was a top notch guy.
We got a Master Chief Utlitiesman in who had 42 years of service. So much gold on his arm I don't know how he lifted it. He got this idea of all BEES wearing Greens to establish esprit de corps for the men who had never been to a battalion. I refused for the reasons given. He was insisting until I handed him the Plan Of The Day. Nowhere did it say ship's company was to wear Greens. It specified what I was already wearing for E-6 and below. We were not part of a battalion. He accepted my argument and started wearing Khakis. I hadn't said anything but he was the one not in proper uniform. He was a top notch guy.
(0)
(0)
CAPT Charles Weishar
Having proudly worn the white uniform when I was an enlisted man, I appreciate the "dressing up" of the proposed, new version with the striping on the collar and wrists.
(1)
(0)
SSG Paul Headlee
My dad had some stories about when the Army Air Corps became the Air Force and the subsequent new uniforms. Most continued to use their Army uniforms up until the wear out date because airmen wearing the new uniforms kept getting questioned by random civilians about bus schedules.
(0)
(0)
20
20
0
It seems like every Master Chief of the Navy nowadays along with every CNO decides that the highest priority thing for them to do is put their name on a uniform change. Uniform changes have a serious impact on the deckplate sailors and officers and should not be changed every time we get some new leadership in the pentagon - this latest change takes it back to what it was some time before I joined the Navy back in 1961 (and that is probably a good thing except it is perceived as yet another uniform change). The, so called, Cracker Jack uniform was the Navy standard for enlisted for many many years along with the plain old dungaree working uniform. The crazy notion to put our sailors in some sort of weird blue camouflage uniform as a working uniform is just that (crazy). Camouflage uniforms have a purpose and that purpose is not sailing around the oceans on ships and submarines. Now that is a uniform that needs to be brought back to reality if the MCPON and CNO just can't let themselves leave the uniforms alone.
(20)
(0)
CMDCM Gene Treants
Sorry CWO2 John Markiewicz, but my wife finally figured out the real reason for the switch from dungarees to the Navy Cammies. If our Sailors fall overboard, sharks have a harder time finding them. I joined in 1966 and hated that I was to late to get issued and authorized to wear a Flat Hat. That made so much more sense that a Dixie Cup, especially with Blues. Undress Blues NEVER made any sense, but we had to wear them after 1600 or not eat on the mess decks for evening chow in port. Dress Whites and Undress Whites - Neckerchief and Ribbons was the ONLY difference, big deal; this version of Dress Whites looks so much better to me.
(1)
(0)
PO1 Chris Tyrrell
Nothing says good idea like putting water colored camo on a guy that could go overboard and then be in water when the whole ship/boat has to visually spot him to save his life, like Glenn said. Unless of course there do happen to be sharks near by I guess haha.
(1)
(0)
PO2 Danny Bott
Next thing is. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.melamela.co.uk%2F1960s-vintage-hat-navy-blue-straw-beret-style.html&ei=oFhCVYy1E4XHsAWs4YH4Aw&bvm=bv.92189499,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNEy_3Z9F3fYWngZy0J4yIwQjPpuLg&ust= [login to see] 04772
(0)
(0)
18
18
0
Ok we are putting more money toward uniforms yet again, but no SRB's for most rates, cuts in bah and bas, cuts in manning, cuts all across the board but we are spending money on uniforms, let's stay with what we have and keep advancing are force in what we can do, not by how we look.
(18)
(0)
10
10
0
9
9
0
I think these look sharp and wish they would have made this change while I was still enlisted. Instead, they got rid of my comfortable dungarees and replaced them with a gas station attendant uniform.... only to replace them with our new digi-blueberry flambes (knock on the burning robustly characteristic of our current working uniform).
(9)
(0)
CDR (Join to see)
One other Blueberry related story. My boss at the command (the XO) was a swo and he would always wear khakis ( no matter what). And one day out of the blue He wore the blueberrys ( ie.e full digi berry Flambe surprize). Being hip deep in work I didnt realize that the one and only day that he did wear the blueberries was 10/31. He dressed up the Like a shipboard SWO on Holloween. A great guy and a pleasure to work for.
(3)
(0)
PO3 Nichalas Enser
SN Michael Figueras as you note, the dungarees, though fairly comfortable and such, made everyone look like a chain gang. That was with military creases, fresh crows, and perfect stenciling for inspections, too!
At many different commands, folks from the rawest Seaman Recruit to the saltiest First Class, wore the most faded, dirty things that could still be considered clothing.
Folks always complained that they could not go off-base or even stop for petrol... were their mirrors all broken? Talk about not looking professional, geez. They would be more liable to be 'returned' to the nearest prison, than to make it back to work, safely.
Personally, think that the blueberries are an improvement, but, apparently in the minority on that one. Not a huge fan of the khaki and black (NSU), but those should help keep most from looking trashy, too.
As to the revamped SDW, they are, almost exactly, the same as the pre-WWII dress whites, which is very cool. At least most try to keep their dress uniforms in decent shape- nothing like getting pinged by the OOD and not being allowed liberty. ;-)
At many different commands, folks from the rawest Seaman Recruit to the saltiest First Class, wore the most faded, dirty things that could still be considered clothing.
Folks always complained that they could not go off-base or even stop for petrol... were their mirrors all broken? Talk about not looking professional, geez. They would be more liable to be 'returned' to the nearest prison, than to make it back to work, safely.
Personally, think that the blueberries are an improvement, but, apparently in the minority on that one. Not a huge fan of the khaki and black (NSU), but those should help keep most from looking trashy, too.
As to the revamped SDW, they are, almost exactly, the same as the pre-WWII dress whites, which is very cool. At least most try to keep their dress uniforms in decent shape- nothing like getting pinged by the OOD and not being allowed liberty. ;-)
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
8
8
0
PO2 Steve Lindhurst
THE PIPING ON THE CUFFS ON THE WHITES DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT. WE NEVER HAD PIPING AT ALL ON THE JUMPERS. I PERSONALLY LIKED THE TROPICAL WHITES (SHORT), MUCH COOLER THAN THE JUMPERS AND MORE COMFORTABLE.
(2)
(0)
CMDCM Gene Treants
I do not remember piping on White Jumpers, but I know it has been used. Take a look at the authentic uniforms from the days of Gunboat Diplomacy in China. Both the flaps and collars were Navy Blue and IMHO, the white looks better.
(4)
(0)
PO3 Nichalas Enser
Those are some great images, CMDCM Gene Treants. Â Definitely a return to a more traditional dress uniform.
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
Capt Richard I P.
"They're very pretty....but can they fight?"
SFC Mark Merino Beautiful. Great movie!
SFC Mark Merino Beautiful. Great movie!
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
WTH? Why does it seem like the Army, Navy, and Air Force are always changing their uniforms?
(7)
(0)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSgt (Join to see) Same concept. Your Blues is pretty much identical to our Service Greens in configuration. But when you add in a pair of Blue pants, it "doubles" the number of uniforms. Add in the "optional" Dress Blue blouse (which we wear a TShirt under), and it looks like have way more uniforms than we do. The "slight" variations between Officer/Enlisted exacerbates this even more.
(2)
(0)
SGT John Wesley
Gosh Gunny, we all wanna look like you guys! Minus the weird cap... (Just kidding...)
(2)
(0)
PO1 William Bargar
Gunny, you're right! I really wished sometimes I stayed in the Marines.......4 yrs Marine Corps, and 16 yrs Navy.......
(1)
(0)
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
MSG Tom Earley
Me too! Of course, my khaki t-shirt has military creases, my shorts are blue with a red stripe down the sides, and my flip flops are hi-gloss. :-)
Me too! Of course, my khaki t-shirt has military creases, my shorts are blue with a red stripe down the sides, and my flip flops are hi-gloss. :-)
(3)
(0)
6
6
0
6
6
0
It is about damned time. Their was absolutely nothing dress or classy about the dress whites. They looked more like something a painting contractor would wear than a military dress uniform. I always liked the dress blues. I thought that they looked sharp despite the thirteen buttons being a pain in the, well crotch. I am glad that the Navy has decided to make the dress white look similar to the dress blue. From the photos I have seen, it actually looks pretty sharp.
(6)
(0)
PO2 Jack Daniels
I had said to one of my chiefs when I was in (84-94) that the Dress White should be the inverse of the Dress Blues, white with blue trim.
(2)
(0)
PO3 Andre Tessier
I had a set of blues for watch and what not where I had the 13 buttons sewn on permanently and velcro in the back. Easiest dress uniform to get in and out of.
(0)
(0)
CMDCM Gene Treants
My liberty Dress Blues were tailored in Hong Kong. Side zipper in the jumper, Liberty Cuffs, fitted and easy to put on or take off. Trousers were 13 buttons, but easy to button or unbutton, zipper in back but looked like there were laces, totally tailored and extra tight with wider bells. Wish I had pictures, but do not.
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google