APRIL 8, 2016, VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) – Military uniforms are one thing: uniform. The same shoes, clothing, and neat appearance that easily separates Sailors from civilians does not differentiate service members from one other.
However, Sailors assigned to different commands are able to show pride or express themselves through command ball caps.
Command ball caps have been authorized to be worn with the Navy Working Uniform Type I uniform since Sept. 1, 2014, but not for NWU Type II or Type III.
Recently, new guidance was released by Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. W.F. Moran, that will allow expeditionary forces to wear command ball caps with NWU Type II or Type III.
“They will provide a sense of identity and unity that we currently lack,” said Cmdr. Doug Kennedy, assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific. “Much like a ship, they let us proudly display who we are and what we do.”
Expeditionary forces fall under Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC PAC, but Sailors can be deployed to anywhere on the earth at any given time. The command ball cap will allow deployed Sailors sent to other regions or embedded in other commands the ability to share where they are from.
According to NAVADMIN 082/16, Sailors are now authorized to wear a coyote brown command ball cap with NWU Type II and Type III.
“The blue ball cap goes well with the NWU Type I, and the coyote brown ball cap will match the NWU Type II and III uniforms,” said Corey A. Heinrich, command master chief assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. “The coyote brown ball cap presents our Sailors in a more uniform and professional appearance.”
Additionally, the correct wear and authorized lettering, names, acronyms, logos and embroidery is the same as with the previously approved Navy blue ball cap.
Eight point covers will still remain standard during uniform inspections, special events, and as determined by the commanding officer.
NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.