Below are the most frequently asked questions from customers regarding Navy uniforms.
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2nd Class
3rd Class
Rating badges are sewn on the left sleeve centered between the shoulder seam and the elbow as shown for the uniforms listed below. The new style blue working jacket does not have a shoulder seam. Use the shoulder/arm connection as the point of reference.
Service Stripes
Description. Consist of embroidered diagonal stripes, 7 inches long and 3/8 inch wide for male CPO's. Male El-E6 personnel wear service stripes 5 1/4 inches long and 3/8 inch wide. Navy women wear service stripes 5 1/4 inches long and 1/4 inch wide.
Position. Sew on the left sleeve of Dress Blue, Dress White, Dinner Dress Blue Jacket, and the Dinner Dress White Jacket with the lower ends to the front. The lower end of the first stripe is 2 inches from the end of the sleeve. On jumpers having a buttoned cuff the lower end of the first stripe is 1 1/2 inches above the upper edge of the cuff. The trailing edge of the stripe is in line with the trailing edge of the rating badge. The stripes are at a 45 degree angle. When more than one stripe is authorized they are placed 1/4 inch apart.
Color. Stripes are either scarlet, gold or blue as specified.
Entitlements. All personnel wear one stripe for each four years of active service (regular or reserve) in any of the armed services.
Description. They are gold stripes, black on green coats, in widths of either 2 inch, 1/2 inch, or 1/4 inch indicating the individual's rank.
Position. Stripes encircle the sleeve with the lower edge of the first stripe 2 inches from the edge of the sleeve. Multiple stripes have 1/4 inch intervals in between.
Entitlements. Officers wear sleeve insignia as indicated below:
The Sword Knot consists of a loop of 1/2 inch gold lace, 24 inches long with slide and tassel.
Preparing the Sword Knot While holding the blade handle to the left, pass the lace through the slit in the guard of the hilt. When forming the initial bight of lace the suspended lengths should be somewhat disproportionate. (One end should be 1/4 inch - 1/2 inch longer than the other.) After taking one turn of the remaining lace and knot around the sword handle, pass the sword knot through the protruding initial bight and adjust the lace slide, as illustrated. Take two or more additional turns. Upon completion, the knot should hang free as illustrated.
Wearing the Sword Wear the sword belt under the coat. The short belt strap and lock swivels are passed through the coat opening on the left side (as shown) and the longer strap hangs free. Hold the sword with the right hand and attach the back swivels to the scabbard rings as shown. Twist the sword one half turn in a clockwise direction and suspend on the sword hook with the uppermost scabbard ring. The sword handle faces aft when properly worn.
NOTE: When wearing an overcoat with Full Dress Blue, the sword goes through the slit in the bridge coat and the lower loop goes through the back vent in the coat and the sword attached - same as Full Dress Blue.
To assist your understanding, access your respective required "seabag" and allowances list, located in the Navy Uniform Regulations (Jan 00 revision), chapter 3. Public law (Congress) mandates requirement for allowances or "issue in kind" for required uniform clothing components for all enlisted service members in the U.S. Armed Services.
Important Items:
Enlisted Service Members receive an issue in kind or an initial allowance at Recruit Training Command. A basic or standard CRA is provided to the service member thereafter, annually on her/his anniversary date of entering the service.
Newly advanced CPOs receive an initial allowance (on their actual date of advancement) for CPO unique require clothing components. Some uniforms can transition from E-6 to CPO. A good example would be the peacoat or Winter Blue uniform. An initial allowance would provide only for the gold buttons to convert the E-6 and below peacoat to the CPO reefer. For the first 3 years newly advanced CPOs receive the E-6 and below standard CRA, and thereafter, they receive the standard CPO CRA.
Calculation: All CRA's are based on a wear life of the required military unique uniform component. If the peacoat/reefer has a 10 year wear life and the coat cost $120.00, then one could expect the CRA for this equipment to be $12.00 annually for the next ten years (not one lump sum on the 10th year). The amount depends on the required uniform component and if you're receiving the basic or standard allowance.
Allowances are adjusted annually, based on the inflation rate for the upcoming fiscal year and on actual cost of the required uniform component sold through our NEX Uniform Shops and the Uniform Support Center.
Allowances do not cover tailoring or cleaning maintenance costs.
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