UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 111904Z JUL 18 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 163/18 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/JUL// SUBJ/NAVY UNIFORM POLICY AND UNIFORM INITIATIVE UPDATE// REF/A/DOC/COMNAVPERSCOM/1JAN03// REF/B/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/221832ZDEC17// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/041928ZAUG16// NARR/REF A IS NAVPERS 15665I, U.S. NAVY UNIFORM REGULATIONS. REF B IS NAVADMIN 310/17 NAVY UNIFORM POLICY AND UNIFORM INITIATIVES UPDATE. REF C IS NAVADMIN 174/16 UNIFORM POLICY UPDATE.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces an update to several Navy uniform policies and provides a status update on several Navy uniform initiatives. Uniform policy updates include Black Relax-Fit Jacket Re-designation, Identification Badge Manner of Wear, Optional Physical Training Uniform Shirt and Shorts, Defense Contracting Management Agency (DCMA) and Allied Submarine Command (ASC) Identification Badges, and Female Hair Grooming Standards. Additionally, this NAVADMIN provides status updates on the following Navy uniform initiatives: Navy Uniform Mobile App Expansion, Female Officer and Chief Petty Officer Slacks and Skirts, and Black Leather Safety Boots. 2. Navy Uniform Policy Update a. Black Relax-Fit Jacket (Eisenhower Jacket). Effective immediately, the Black Relax-Fit Jacket is re-designated as a UNISEX component vice gender specific. Male and female Sailors are authorized to wear the Black Relax-Fit Jacket of the sizing that suits their uniform requirements. The re- designation of the Black Relax-Fit Jacket provides for an immediate availability of a wider range of sizes to accommodate both male and female Sailors uniform needs. Manner and occasion for wear remains the same as stated in reference (a). For example, many women find the lengths available for mens jacket sizes neatly cover the over blouse design. b. Identification Badges Manner of Wear (Females Only). Effective immediately, female Sailors may optionally wear Identification Badges on the right side of their uniform (coat or shirt). When worn on the right, the Identification Badge will be centered one-fourth of an inch above the name tag in line with reference (a), Chapter 5, Section 1, article 5101. The optional manner of wear allows for the greatest visibility of identification badges worn on all female uniforms. c. Optional Physical Training Uniform (OPTU). The Chief of Naval Operations has approved a navy blue high performance PTU shirt and five-inch running shorts for optional wear as the PTU uniform. Previously announced as a uniform initiative in reference (b), the OPTU will be available in UNISEX sizing and entail a moisture wicking anti- microbial/odor resistant navy blue short-sleeved shirt with non-reflective gold logos on the front and back. The front logo displays a new eagle design over the left chest. The back logo displays AMERICAS NAVY FORGED BY THE SEA. The five-inch inseam shorts design features include moisture wicking anti- microbial/odor resistant fabric with Navy logo on the front left leg and a zippered pocket on the back right side of the shorts. (1) Occasion for Wear. The occasion for wear of the OPTU will coincide with the standard PTU as stated in reference (a). (2) Manner of Wear. The manner of wear of the OPTU will coincide with the standard PTU as stated in reference (a). The OPTU when worn as a uniform must consist of shirt and shorts with the new gold logos. Mix and match is authorized when worn as civilian clothing. (3) Availability/Way Ahead. Navy Exchange Uniform Centers and on- line stores will commence selling the OPTU beginning October 2018. A navy blue standard variant of the PTU is also under development and both the high performance and standard PTU will be phased into the seabag issue at RTC in the next 12-18 months. Once the navy blue variants are a standard seabag issued item, wear of the gold PTU shirt and navy blue shorts will remain authorized for wear until a phase out date is promulgated. d. Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Identification Badge. Effective immediately, Navy military personnel actively assigned to a DCMA billet are authorized to optionally wear the DCMA Identification Badge. The DCMA badge is not authorized for wear upon termination of assignment to the DCMA agency. (1) Description. The DCMA Identification Badge consists of a Great Seal of the United States emblem overlaying 13 gold cutlasses and 13 white stars on a turquoise background. The regular size badge is two inches in diameter and consists of the superimposed miniature badge. The miniature badge is one and one- half inches in diameter and consists of the DCMA emblem itself. (2) Manner and Occasion of Wear. The DCMA regular size metal badge may be worn on Service Dress uniforms. The DCMA miniature size badge may be worn on Service uniforms. The DCMA badge is not authorized for wear on Working, Dinner Dress, and Formal Uniforms. Wear of the DCMA badge will be in line with existing guidelines prescribed in reference (a). (3) Availability. The DCMA Identification Badge is available for purchase at Navy Exchange Uniform Centers. The DCMA Identification Badge is an optional wear item and is purchased at the expense of the Sailor. e. Allied Submarine Command (ASC) Identification Badge. Effective immediately, Sailors actively assigned to Submarine Force Atlantic, Allied Submarine Command billets are authorized to optionally wear the ASC Identification Badge. The ASC Identification Badge is not authorized for wear upon termination of assignment to the ASC billet. (1) Description. The ASC Identification Badge consists of a shield with blue field edged in gold. In the center, crossed Whitehead steam torpedoes surmounted with the Trident of Neptune and a World War I vintage submarine all in gold. A gold banner across the Trident staff reads with the letters ASC. The badge dimensions are one and three-quarters of an inch in length and one and one-half inch in width. (2) Manner and Occasion of Wear. The ASC Identification Badge is authorized for wear by Sailors assigned in official ASC billets, watch standers of CTG 84.1 Submarine Broadcast Control Authority and CTG 84.1 Operations personnel. The ASC Identification Badge is authorized for wear on Service and Service Dress uniforms only and in line with the guidelines for identification badge wear in reference (a). (3) Availability. The ASC Identification Badge is a controlled item. Issuance of the badge will be controlled by the ASC C5 Director and will only be worn while assigned to ASC and fulfilling NATO duties. 3. Female Hair Grooming Standards. Effective immediately, the female hair grooming standards are expanded. Wearing of approved hairstyles is authorized provided doing so does not prohibit the proper wear of safety and damage control equipment, facilitates uniform head gear being worn squarely on the head, and does not present a safety hazard to the Sailor as determined by the unit commanding officer. a. Braids and Ponytails. Current policy permits commanding officers to relax hair grooming standards during command/unit physical training to include allowing free hanging ponytails. Policy is now expanded to authorize wear of a single braid, French braid, or a single ponytail in Service, Working, and PT uniforms. The initial accessory for the ponytail will not be visible when facing forward. Authorized accessory devices must be consistent with the color of the hair. The end of the braid or ponytail may extend up to three inches below the lower edge of the collar of the shirt, jacket or coat. In spaces or environments where there are operational hazards such as rotating gear, etc., the hair may not be worn below the bottom of the collar. b. Hair Buns. Current policy is the bulk of the hair bun when measured from the scalp will not exceed three inches. The expanded policy is that the width or diameter of the hair bun will not exceed or extend beyond the width of the back of the head. c. Lock Hairstyle. For the purpose of Navy Uniform Regulations and grooming standards a Lock Hairstyle (Locks) consists of one section of hair that twists from or near the root to the end of the hair and creates a uniform ringlet or cord-like appearance. Locks may be worn in short, medium, and long hair lengths in the following manner: (1) Locks must continue from the root to the end of the hair in one direction (no zig-zagging, curving, or ending before the end of the lock to dangle as a wisp or loose hair) and should encompass the whole head. Locks partings must be square or rectangle in shape in order to maintain a neat and professional appearance. (2) Locks can be loose (free-hanging where no hair is added to the lock once it is started other than hair extensions that are attached at the end of the natural hair). When worn loose, locks will be spaced no more than three-eighths of an inch apart, diameter/width will not exceed three-eighths of an inch, and locks will be tightly interlaced to present a neat and professional military appearance. Locks may also be worn in a bun provided all hair grooming requirements are met. Locks may not be worn in combination with other hair styles (e.g. twists, braids). (3) New growth (defined as hair that naturally grows from the scalp and has not yet been locked) will not exceed one-half inch at any time. (4) Locks that do not meet the above standards and do not present a neat and professional military appearance will not be worn in uniform. Commanding officers have the ultimate responsibility for determining when hairstyles are eccentric, faddish, or out of standards. d. Relaxed Hair Requirement with Dinner Dress Uniforms. Female Sailors are authorized to wear their hair below the lower edge of the collar of the blouse, jacket, or coat of the Dinner Dress Uniform being worn. All other hair grooming requirements will be observed. 4. Navy Uniform Initiatives Update a. Expanded *OPNAV Uniform Regulations* Mobile Application (Navy Uniform App). The final phase of testing of the expanded version of the Navy Uniform App is underway. The expanded revision facilitates portable electronic access and one stop shopping to address Navy uniform and grooming standards inquiries, provides uniform and accoutrement illustrations, access to Navy Exchange on- line uniform purchases, and direct email communications with Navy Uniform Matters Ask The Chief. Testing of the expanded Navy Uniform App is scheduled to conclude mid-July 2018. Access for downloading is scheduled for the week of 23 July 2018 via The Navy App Locker at https://www.navyapplocker.navy.mil, Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mil.navy.opnav or iTunes App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opnav-uniform- regulations/id1279680442?mt=8 for compatible electronic devices. The direct link to the Navy Uniform App is at https://www.applocker.navy.mil/#!/apps/DAF24623-F1E8-4943-8F77-5ED19F227579. b. Black Leather Safety Boot. An improved design, fit, and comfort general purpose black leather safety boot has been approved for optional wear with all Navy Working Uniforms and Coveralls. The new design boot was influenced by Sailor feedback at the conclusion of the 2017 Navy Boot Study announced in reference (b). It will include a padded foam collar, knitted black moisture wicking fabric full length liner, enhanced durability and multi-environment compatible (hot and cold temperature), and slip resistant outsole. The improved new boot (I-Boot 4) will be available at designated fleet concentration Navy Exchange Uniform Centers and the Call Center commencing October 2018. Designated fleet concentration Uniform Center locations include: Norfolk VA, San Diego CA, Jacksonville FL, Yokosuka Japan, Great Lakes IL Student Store, Newport RI, and Pearl Harbor HI. Continued testing and development of Navy safety footwear is on-going with the goal to develop an I- Boot 5 as a sea bag issued item that can be worn in multiple environments and minimize the need for organizational issued footwear. c. Officer and Chief Petty Officer Female Slacks and Skirts. As previously announced in reference (c), the Navy uniform and textile team have been working to improve the female officer/CPO Service Uniform slacks and skirts via concept design development and testing during 2018. Concept testing has been initiated this year at Navy facilities located in Newport RI and Washington DC. Feedback received from fit evaluation participants has been very positive. Additional testing will occur this summer to finalize pattern changes and to confirm fit and appearance specifications and standards. Improvements will include straight line Service skirts and a lower waist and reduced rise (waist to top of the inseam) khaki and white Service slacks. Availability of the improved design skirt and slacks in Navy Exchange Uniform Centers is planned to commence at the end of calendar year 2018. 5. For questions regarding the DCMA Identification Badge, please contact Defense Contract Management Agency, Lt Col Paul Ferguson, at paul.ferguson(at)dcma.mil. For questions regarding the ASC Identification Badge, please contact Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic point of contact LCDR Phillip N. Collins, at philip.collins.ca(at)navy.mil. 6. Questions and comments regarding this NAVADMIN should be addressed to the Navy Uniform Matters Office, OPNAV N13X, via email to Mr. Robert B. Carroll, Head of Navy Uniform Matters Office, at robert.b.carroll(at)navy.mil, LSCM (AW/EXW/SW) Judith P. Nelson- Williams, Deputy Head, at judith.nelson(at)navy.mil, LSCS(EXW) Michael L. Harvie, Reserve Component Specialist at michael.harvie(at)navy.mil and PS1 (SW/AW) Batricia B. Morgan at batricia.morgan(at)navy.mil. 7. Retain this NAVADMIN until policy changes are incorporated in reference (a), superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 8. Released by Vice Admiral R. P. Burke, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//