The U.S. Navy announced August 4 that it will transition from the blue aquaflage Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type I to the green camouflage NWU Type III as the service’s primary shore working uniform beginning October 1, 2016.
The NWU Type 1 was not a popular uniform as it was described by Sailors as heavy and uncomfortable. The uniforms were also found to be unsafe when fighting fire.
Sailors will not have to switch immediately as they will be allowed wear either the NWU Type I or III over the next three years. However, as of Oct. 1, 2019, all sailors will be expected to wear the NWU Type III as their primary working uniform when ashore or in port.
While the Navy is developing an incremental regional fielding plan for the NWU Type III, this transition period will give sailors time to prepare for the change and allow them to get maximum wear out of recently purchased NWU Type I uniforms.
“As the CNO and I travel to see Sailors deployed around the world, one of the issues they consistently want to talk about are uniforms,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus .
“They want uniforms that are comfortable, lightweight, breathable … and they want fewer of them. We have heard the feedback and we are acting on it. As a direct result of Sailors’ input, effective Oct. 1, we will transition from the NWU Type I to the NWU Type III as our primary shore working uniform.”
NWU Type III will be issued to new accessions and recruits beginning October 1, 2017, the navy said.