Navy set to deep-six maligned blue duds

The Navy said last week it is getting rid of its blue camouflage working uniform derided as “aquaflage” and “blueberries” and replacing it with a greener-looking camouflage for shore duty.

The Navy Working Uniform Type III will become the sea serv-ice’s primary uniform ashore or in port beginning Oct. 1.

Over the next three years, sailors will be able to wear the blue camouflage Navy Working Uniform Type I or the greener Type III, but by Oct. 1, 2019, all personnel will be required to go green.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a release Thursday that as he and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson talked with sailors around the world, “one of the issues they consistently want to talk about is uniforms.”

“They want uniforms that are comfortable, lightweight, breathable … and they want fewer of them,” Mabus said. “We have heard the feedback and are acting on it.”

In late 2008 the Navy said the blue camouflage — with a digital pattern incorporating Navy blue, deck gray, haze gray and black — would replace utilities, wash khaki, coveralls, woodland green, aviation green, winter working blues and summer white uniforms.

The uniform was wash-and-wear, and a 50-50 nylon and cotton blend, with a majority of sailors surveyed favoring work wear that didn’t show spots and stains.

“This new (blue) uniform is going to represent who we are as United States sailors,” then-Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West said in early 2009. It was the most drastic uniform change in years.

The choice left some wondering why the Navy would need blue camouflage — including Mabus, the Navy secretary. In 2013 he noted the nickname “blueberries” and followed up by saying, “I don’t know what the name is, that’s what sailors call them — the great camouflage it gives is if you fall overboard.” Some also complained the uniform was too heavy.

The Navy also has a preliminary design for a two-piece shipboard uniform. The service had plenty of wide-ranging commentary about the camouflage change on its Facebook page.

“(I don’t know) why everyone hates the Type 1 (blue camouflage). I love it. It separates us from the rest of the branches and they’re not that uncomfortable,” said Treavor Esping.

James McAllastar called switching from blue to green “just stupid” and a “waste of time and sailors’ money,” adding, “Ninety-nine percent of sailors don’t need camouflage, ever.”

All of the military branches need to be in one field uniform, said Justin VanRiper. “The dress uniforms are there to separate the branches,” he said. “But out in the field, we should look like one force, united with one uniform.”

Eric Stein said, “I don’t understand how green cammies fit in to the U.S. Navy’s traditions and values. Seems like a quick fix to the unpopular Type 1s, but not the right fix.”