{"id":38115,"date":"2015-04-21T14:34:52","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T14:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2015\/04\/21\/sailors-split-over-switching-to-a-single-dress-uniform\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:31:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:31:48","slug":"sailors-split-over-switching-to-a-single-dress-uniform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2015\/04\/21\/sailors-split-over-switching-to-a-single-dress-uniform\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailors split over switching to a single dress uniform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Sailors love their dress uniforms \u2014 an iconic tie with past generations of bluejackets. <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">their dress uniforms that is &#8212; just to be clear. &#8216;s that uniform in which the Navy keeps its formal tie with past generations of sailors exists.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But some are asking whether sailors need white and blue crackerjacks, as officials try to slim down the seabag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;My opinion, as well as that of many people I work with, [is] the dress whites should go away,&#8221; said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class (AW) Kevin Barnes, who&#8217;s <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">currently<\/span> stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fielding of the redesigned crackerjack blues and whites are about a year away, and Navy Times asked readers for their opinions on whether the Navy should keep both \u2014 as the only service to have distinctive summer and winter dress uniforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For most of the past century, <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">100 years or more, <\/span>the distinctive blue and white crackerjacks with the bell bottoms and the back flap <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">in the back of the U.S. Navy <\/span>have remained <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">consistently <\/span>one of the most <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">&#8220;<\/span>traditional<span class=\"rte rte-comment\">&#8220;<\/span> uniforms in the U.S. military. During that time, they were only abandoned for a short time and returned because sailors wanted them. For many, it&#8217;s part of the reason they joined the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Officials want to simplify the sailor&#8217;s seabag, but there&#8217;s no move on the table <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">right now <\/span>to eliminate any dress uniforms. Still, this could yield seabag simplicity and big cost savings. <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">But in an era of looking for savings and simplicity, going to a single dress uniform, some officials agree, could provide the Navy with a little of both.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only a brief period of time in late 1970&#8217;s and early 1980&#8217;s did the Navy abandon these distinctive dress uniforms. And in the end, they returned to the fleet \u2014 because sailors asked for them.For some, it&#8217;s part of the reason they joined the Navy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Navy Times asked sailors if they thought they <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">sailors <\/span>could get by with <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">only <\/span>a single dress uniform \u2014 and the results showed sailors are<span class=\"rte rte-comment\">be<\/span> split on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>With the fielding of the redesigned crackerjack blues and whites about a year away, <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">and<\/span> Navy Times asked sailors if they think <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">readers for their opinions on whether <\/span>the Navy should keep both and remain the <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">as the <\/span>only service to have distinctive summer and winter dress uniforms. The results show sailors are split on the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span class=\"rte rte-comment\">But there&#8217;s a new debate brewing in the fleet that could spread to Washington. It&#8217;s whether E-6 and below sailors need two separate dress uniforms.<\/span><span class=\"rte rte-comment\">Or, in a seabag that&#8217;s already been over-expanded over the years, could one be eliminated to save time, space and money?<\/span><span class=\"rte rte-comment\">For t<\/span>Those in favor of cutting<span class=\"rte rte-comment\">, they<\/span> agree on the best solution: Dump the whites. The summer dress uniforms <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">Dress whites <\/span>are hard to care for and keep clean, especially aboard ship where sailors <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">can <\/span>typically wear them once before they need<span class=\"rte rte-comment\"> a<\/span> cleaning. No one suggested nixing <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">the told Navy Times they&#8217;d like to nix <\/span>the blues, <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">it&#8217;s always the whites getting the axe, because they&#8217;re so hard to take c<\/span><span class=\"rte rte-comment\"><span class=\"rte rte-comment\">are of and most \u2014 especially those shipboard, only get one wear between cleanings. <\/span> No one responding to the Navy Times query suggested nixing the blues \u2014 <\/span>though many expressed doubts a version could be made that would be comfortable in hot weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;My opinion as well as that of many people i work with the dress whites should go away,&#8221; said said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class (AW) Kevin Barnes currently stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent Rver, Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The most common use for the whites is manning the rails on ships, and white and Navy <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">[crackerjacks]<\/span>ships don&#8217;t mix,&#8221; Barnes said. &#8220;By the time you get to the flight deck, you have at least two black marks on your pants, and they don&#8217;t wash very well<span class=\"rte rte-comment\">,&#8221; Barnes said.<\/span> &#8220;It ends up be[ing] easier to just buy a new set.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barnes said he experienced another problem, when it rains<span class=\"rte rte-comment\"> if it should rain<\/span><span class=\"rte rte-comment\"> \u2014<\/span> his ribbons bleed onto the uniform and that trashes the blouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Colors run, and you end up with a rainbow on your jumper,&#8221; he <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">Barnes <\/span>added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2848\" height=\"4288\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-71377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg 2848w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg?resize=199,300 199w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg?resize=768,1156 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg?resize=680,1024 680w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg?resize=1020,1536 1020w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635647833838864673-052412nt-dress-blues10jpg.jpg?resize=1360,2048 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2848px) 100vw, 2848px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The new Navy Service Dress Blues photographed in Springfield, Virginia on May 24, 2012. (Alan Lessig\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span>The redesigned service dress blues feature improvements like a side zipper on the blouse and pockets and a zipper in the trousers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span>Photo Credit: Alan Lessig\/Staff<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Others agree that the blues are just more practical.<span class=\"rte rte-comment\">And it&#8217;s that practicality that bugs most those in favor of ditching the whites.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I personally think that we should keep just the dress blues,&#8221; said Airman Alejandro Vergara, an Air Department sailor aboard <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">from V3 Division onboard <\/span>the carrier Abraham Lincoln. &#8220;They are easy to maintain and barely require dry cleaning and ironing because the fabric does not wrinkle easily. Dress whites are a complete hassle, they require to be ironed and dry cleaned after one use because they get dirty really easy.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More sailors said they would be <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">would be <\/span>in favor of just the blues, but don&#8217;t believe the Navy can pull off a redesigned blues that are comfortable and sharp looking. Until then, they&#8217;re happy with whites and blues. <span class=\"rte rte-comment\"> just one dress uniform, but don&#8217;t believe the Navy can pull off a cool pair of blues and until that happens \u2014 they want the status quo.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I really do not believe that designers could design a uniform that provided enough warmth for an extreme cold environment, yet make that same garment lightweight and cool and comfortable for 95 degrees and 100 percent humidity,&#8221; said Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW\/AW) Joseph <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">A. <\/span>Johnson, assigned to <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">currently at <\/span>Navy Expeditionary Command Pacific in Hawaii. &#8220;To those who think this is possible, please man the rails in your dress whites in February from the deck of an aircraft carrier while pulling into Yokosuka, Japan, during snow flurries.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, many sailors just think Big Navy&#8217;s been monkeying with uniforms too much lately<span class=\"rte rte-comment\"> and think it&#8217;s just time to leave well enough alone<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> &#8220;If I had to choose one I would pick the dress blues, but I don&#8217;t think the Navy should do away with either,&#8221; said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Christopher Jones &#8220;Too much has been changing in the Navy [in] <span class=\"rte rte-comment\">amongst <\/span>recent years, and I feel these uniforms hold what tradition we have left.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6000\" height=\"4000\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-71383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg 6000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635561557366142401-crackerjacks4-0410jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 6000px) 100vw, 6000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span>Female sailors are wear testing &#8220;Dixie cups&#8221; and service dress blue jumpers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span>Photo Credit: Lance M. Bacon\/Staff<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Officials want to simplify the seabag, but sailors disagree whether eliminating a dress uniform would be a wise move.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":71371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":65,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[12,65],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3087],"class_list":["post-38115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-your-navy"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"H7VGWURL4RGH3AGYPQZV4GKXME","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-navy\/2015\/04\/21\/sailors-split-over-switching-to-a-single-dress-uniform\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sailors split over switching to a single dress uniform - Navy Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Officials want to simplify the seabag, but sailors disagree whether eliminating a dress uniform would be a wise move.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sailors split over switching to a single dress uniform\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Officials want to simplify the seabag, but sailors disagree whether eliminating a dress uniform would be a wise move.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2015\/04\/21\/sailors-split-over-switching-to-a-single-dress-uniform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Navy Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-04-21T14:34:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T19:31:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mark D. 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