Navy Uniforms

The first question we are asked by new recruits to our group is: “What uniforms should I get?”  To answer that in the most simple way possible is you will use three main uniforms.

1. Summer (or Tropical) Uniform: White Jumper, white trousers, black shoes with black socks, and a black or dark blue belt.  Modern US Navy Whites are close to the WW2 version if the recruit has trouble finding acceptable whites.
2. Winter dress uniform: Blue jumper with white pipping, 13 button trousers, black shoes and black socks.  Modern dress blues are more black than blue, luckily plenty of early blue uniforms are out there.
3. Work uniform: Blue long sleeve chambray shirt, denim bell bottom trousers, with either boondocker or black shoes.
4. (optional)  Herringbone Twill (HBTs) HBTs were used by the US Navy almost a direct copy of the US Army’s first pattern HBTs except had “USN” stamped on front.
5. 1940’s era Bluejacket’s Manual.  This book describes what is expected from the Sailor.

 

Once the recruit has their basic uniform he or she needs a rating basically their job. Ex: Pipefitter, Motor Machinist Mate, Radioman, Cook,  etc.

After picking a Rate it is up to the recruit to learn as much as possible.