USNA uniforms compared to uniforms after graduation

williamsdr3

williamsdr3

Parent of USNA Mid '24
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
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378
Newbie question here. I have had only a couple of encounters with Navy officers in my life (couple of ship visits when I lived overseas) so I am not familiar with this topic. I am wondering if in general the USNA uniforms are the same or similar to those worn after graduation by officers or not? Or the same as uniforms worn by similar-ranked people in the fleet? Obviously things indicating rank etc. will vary but the basic uniforms.

Bonus points for anyone who can provide me the correct capitalization and use of Navy officer vs. naval officer (since this came to mind while I was writing).

Entertaining myself while the Big Wait (coined by @Therese_In_Denver ) drags on.

Thank you.
 
Speaking of uniforms, I had coffee with some local Mid Moms this weekend and we got to discussing Marine uniforms. Wowzers in the $$ those that go Marine have to fork out for their new duds after graduation!! About 8k she thought 😳!
 
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When you mean the U.S. Navy, it’s “Navy” for the noun and adjective. It’s navy for a sea force in general not associated with a country, or the color. I usually don’t see “naval” capitalized, unless it starts a sentence. I do not claim to be either Strunk or White, but describe the usage I have seen.

In general, for Navy, except for the parade drill uniforms, the service dress white, service dress blue, summer white, summer khaki, dinner dress white and blue, “Ike” jacket, can all go to the Fleet, with appropriate insignia and stripes. There are some local-to-USNA uniforms. I have seldom seen the blue shirt/blue pants classroom uniform worn in the Fleet.

There will still be a need to stock up on uniforms in the way to the Fleet. Many uniform items can look well-worn after 4 fun years by the Bay and excursions through the military laundry contractor.

And, Navy blue looks black to the naked eye, but it is the darkest navy blue you can create.
 
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justdoit19 said:
Speaking of uniforms, I had coffee with some local Mid Moms this weekend and we got to discussing Marine uniforms. Wowzers in the $$ those that go Marine have to fork out for their new duds after graduation!! About 8k she thought 😳!
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I’m pretty sure the Marines-to-be have to be paid up in full before they morph into 2nd LT Devil Pups. I’m sure someone will know the latest practice.
 
Capt MJ said:
I’m pretty sure the Marines-to-be have to be paid up in full before they morph into 2nd LT Devil Pups. I’m sure someone will know the latest practice.
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She said that when she was there last, they went to the Thrift Store and got a bunch of stuff. Saved money there!
 
justdoit19 said:
Speaking of uniforms, I had coffee with some local Mid Moms this weekend and we got to discussing Marine uniforms. Wowzers in the $$ those that go Marine have to fork out for their new duds after graduation!! About 8k she thought 😳!
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A full set of dress blues with sabre can get to about 3,000. Then you've got your Service alpha, which isn't cheap, and plenty of BDUs. 8000 sounds high but I can easily see 5-6 thousand.
 
I don’t remember forking over $8k. I know things are more expensive than when I went through, but not that much. I think sword and uniforms were around $3-4K. Then cammies and boots. We took a lot of our friends cammies back then but they can’t do that now. But cammies, boots, t shirts, pt gear, etc. is probably around another $1k. Another can chime in.

Most Navy uniforms transfer over. The working blues, white works, full dress blues (the drill uniform), PT gear do not. Some additional money might be spent on additional khakis and stuff for some. But many Mids would trade with a Marine selectee on that or buy them discounted. Have to have them striped for Officer stuff, new covers, new insignia. Also some Mids grow or gain weight and need to spend money on better fitting gear to hit the fleet.
 
Everything all together for Marine uniforms should total no more than $4,000. That includes boots, MARPATS, service/dress uniforms, sword, insignia, pt gear, etc. I think all of that for me came out to about $3200 or so, and I didn't skimp on buying anything. I did buy through the MCX though. It probably would have been about $3500 or so through the Marine Shop.

Mids have the option of getting their uniforms from the MCX or the Marine Shop. Both will give presentations to the Marine selects. The Marine Shop is usually slightly more expensive, but has far better customer service and does a better job tailoring the uniforms.

They do not have to be paid up by graduation. Each of the two vendors offer payment plans that extend well past graduation and commissioning.
 
Sydney C. said:
Well, you won't see these in the fleet so might want to enjoy them during those cool and fuzzy Plebe summer months while you can.
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Do the Midshipmen wear White Works at all after Plebe Summer ? Back in the day (when dinosaurs roamed the Yard), White works was our "utility" unform, and we were allowed to wear to class when we had PE immediately before or after . It was worn with Combo cover and no neckerchief, and was considered kind of a treat to be able to relax in a "leisure" uniform. I don't recall seeing White Works on recent visits to the yard . It looks like . Midshipman have fancy track suits and utilities to wear now. .
 
DD and her roommates turned one set of white works into very clever Halloween costumes. She sent me another set -- with cover and belt -- as my own commemorative bundle. I'm guessing she's keeping the third set for something down the road. Many firsties don their white works for the "100 Days" festivities in which they recall plebe days gone by.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Do the Midshipmen wear White Works at all after Plebe Summer ? Back in the day (when dinosaurs roamed the Yard), White works was our "utility" unform, and we were allowed to wear to class when we had PE immediately before or after . It was worn with Combo cover and no neckerchief, and was considered kind of a treat to be able to relax in a "leisure" uniform. I don't recall seeing White Works on recent visits to the yard . It looks like . Midshipman have fancy track suits and utilities to wear now. .
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We currently wear working blues mon-wed and friday, NWUs on thursday, and SDBs on Sunday. Blue and gold track suits are authorized for those on chit and dinner/academic buildings after 1800. I've only seen white works worn for swim class, lost bets, and 100s night.
 
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