FAQs

Uniform Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions from customers regarding Navy uniforms.

• How do you roll and tie the Navy Neckerchief?
• How do you convert the 1st class rating badge to a 2nd or 3rd class rating badge?
• What is the proper placement for the rating badge and service stripes on the Service Dress Blue or White Jumper?
• What is the proper placement of the 1/4" and 1/2" gold lace on an Officer's Service Dress Uniform?
• What is the proper way to wear the Navy Officer Sword?
• How are active duty enlisted clothing allowances calculated?

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How do you roll and tie the Navy Neckerchief?

1. Correct stencil.
2. Fold neckerchief diagonally to form triangle, seams inside.
3. Hold taut, place first 2 fingers of left hand across corner, thumb below. Fold up and over fingers to the left.
4. Place the first 2 fingers of right hand across corner, thumb below. Fold up and over fingers to the right.
5. Repeat Step 3.
6. Take beginning roll in both hands. Roll toward center until completed.
7. Place around neck right and about 4 fingers longer than left.
8. Cross long and over short at the "V".
9. Draw long and back up, over and down to the left.
10. Cross long and over short.
11. Bring long and back through the formed loop.
12. Shape roll as shown. Top of knot even with bottom of "V". Ends same length.

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How do you convert the 1st class rating badge to a 2nd or 3rd class rating badge?

2nd Class

1. Cut a "V" through the bottom chevron.
2. Fold under and sew down at bottom edges.
3. Cut away excess material.

3rd Class

1. Cut a "V" through the bottom and middle chevron.
2. Fold under and sew down at bottom edges.
3. Cut away excess material.

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What is the proper placement for a rating badge and service stripes on the Service Dress Blue or White Jumper?

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.

• Maternity Blue Shirts
• Service Dress Jumpers
• White Shirts (SS only)
• Blue Shirts
• Dungaree/Utility Shirts

• Dinner Dress Coats
• Service Dress
• Coats
• Peacoats
• Blue Working Jackets

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.

Uniform	Rating Badge Background	Eagle, Specialty Mark	Chevron	Service Stripes
Dinner Dress Blue Jacket	Navy Blue	White/Silver	Scarlet/Gold	Scarlet/Gold
Dinner Dress White Jacket	White	Blue/Silver	Blue/Gold	Blue/Gold
Service Dress Blue	Navy Blue	White/Silver	Scarlet/Gold	Scarlet/Gold
Service Dress White	White	Blue	Blue	Blue
Summer White	White	Blue	Blue	None
Winter Blue/ Winter Working Blue	Navy Blue	White	Scarlet	None
Dungaree / Utility (Old)	Blue Chambray	Dark Blue(Eagle Only)	Dark Blue(Eagle Only)	None
Utility (New)	Blue Chambray	Dark Blue(Eagle Only)	Dark Blue	None
Peacoat	Navy Blue	White	Scarlet	None
Blue Working Jacket (Old)	Medium Blue	White(Eagle Only)	Scarlet	None
Blue Working Jacket (New)	Medium Blue	White(Eagle Only)	Scarlet	None

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What is the proper placement of the 1/4" and 1/2" gold lace on an Officer's Service Dress Uniform?

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:

Officer	Placement
Fleet Admiral	One 2 inch stripe with four 1/2 inch stripes above it.
Admiral	One 2 inch stripe with three 1/2 inch stripes above it
Vice Admiral	One 2 inch stripe with two 1/2 inch stripes above it.
Rear Admiral	One 2 inch stripe with two 1/2 inch stripes above it.
Rear Admiral (Lower Half)	One 2 inch stripe.
Captain	Four 1/2 inch stripes.
Commander	Three 1/2 inch stripes.
Lieutenant Commander	Three 1/2 inch stripes.
Lieutenant	Two 1/2 inch stripes.
Lieutenant (Junior Grade)	One 1/2 inch stripe with one 1/4 inch stripe above it.
Ensign	One 1/2 inch stripe.

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What is the proper way to wear the Navy Officer Sword?

 

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.

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How are active duty enlisted clothing allowances calculated?

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:

• military unique: uniform components having no civilian equal (cover, peacoat, etc.).
• per unit: one item or one set (if applicable)
• issue in kind: required uniform components issued at no cost to the service member.
• wear life: the expected life, under normal conditions, of the military unique uniform component
• clothing replacement allowances (CRA): allowances for replacement cost of required military unique uniform components, per unit, which have met their wear life expectancy.
• Initial allowance: is for the total uniform requirement cost (*see CPO initial allowance).

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.

• Standard CRA is 100% of the total cost of the required military unique uniform component, per unit, based on its wear life, for service members who have 3 years or more of active duty service.
• Basic CRA is 70% of the standard replacement allowance of the required military unique uniform components for service members who have less than three years of active duty service. The 70% is used because recent issue in kind is taken into consideration.

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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