Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2003/Navy uniforms
By Mr John Gill
There have been a number of e-mails and phone enquiries received in the Navy Uniforms Section, since the four page spread in the last edition of SeaTalk. This article provides an update to the previous information, which will hopefully also address a number of those FAQs (frequently asked questions) we have received.
ABR 81 – Uniform Instructions for the Royal Australian Navy
The revised publication is now with Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) for authorisation.
RAN Clothing Price List (RANCPL)
DCN has now approved the next Price List, to come into effect 1 July 2003 (next Financial Year).
Name Labels
The initial free issue of Black on Grey Name Labels to serving Permanent Navy (PN) personnel has now ceased. All PN personnel who now require these items are to purchase them through the Clothing Stores. Purchases must be in sets of six labels (ie, 6, 12, 18).
Members of the Naval Reserve (NR) who have a bona-fide requirement to wear Action Working Dress or Coveralls may apply to their nearest clothing store to be gratuitously issued with six name labels each - NR members requiring labels are to be in possession of a completed form SA390, which is to be endorsed by their Head of Department as being a bona-fide requirement. NR members not on Continuous Full Time Service in excess of 12 months will be afforded exchange provisions for these items as per other articles of kit that they receive under the Scales of Entitlement.
Maternity Uniforms
A Maternity Shirt (in long and short sleeve versions) is being assessed for suitability, to replace the current Maternity Smock. Staff Officer Uniforms (SO(U)) is also looking into the viability of having two versions of a Maternity Dress reintroduced (White and WD fabric).
Comments on any aspect of maternity uniforms are still welcome and may be addressed to SO(U), whose contact details appear below.
Female Lingerie
Joint Material Agency are still working on delivering some of the required items into the inventory. We are keen to see this activity completed by the end of the Financial Year.
Boarding Party Uniform
The Warfare Division is in the process of raising an Operational Concept Document for MHQ endorsement. This document will subsequently form the basis of the specifications that will be used for the production of the Boarding Party rig.
Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) Uniform Enhancement
Manufacturing has commenced for many of the items to be issued under the enhancement program. The roll out of items is expected to commence in August/ September, pending Cadet Units identifying their requirements.
Utility Jacket/Woolly Pulley and Sleeveless Sweater
A wide distribution message has been promulgated, indicating that the Utility Jacket is now prescribed to Dress W7. The Woolly Pulley may continue to be worn with W7, in lieu of the Utility Jacket, at your Commanding Officer's discretion. The Sleeveless Sweater can also be worn under the Utility Jacket, or without the jacket at the workplace, and/or when transitting to/from home to work in a private motor vehicle/service transport but only where there is no break in the journey. The Sleeveless Sweater is not normally to be worn in the public eye. When worn, the Utility Jacket zip is to be properly fastened.
Stanley Jacket
Personnel are reminded that this item replaced the Jacket WD, and may therefore only be worn with the following Uniforms onboard ships, within establishments and within fleet bases:
| S/W9 | Working Dress |
| S/W13 | Cooks Dress |
| S/W14 | Medical / Dental Dress |
| S/W16 | Blue / White Coveralls |
| S/W18 | Combat Coveralls |
Footwear Trials
The shoe trial, to assess a 'cemented' sole instead of the 'stitched' (welted) sole that we currently use has now commenced and is scheduled to complete 31 July 2003. Samples are being trialled in HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Cairns, HMAS Kuttabul, HMAS Stirling and in the Canberra area.
New Business
With the Clothing Price List and ABR 81 now completed, the Navy Uniforms Section is now concentrating on the complete revision of the Scales of Entitlement (NAVSUPMAN 18). It is hoped to have this publication to DCN by the end of May. The Navy Uniforms Section Web Page has now been completed, and it is anticipated that it will go 'live' on the intranet in late June/early July – look for us under the Navy Headquarters banner on the Navy Home Page.
Points of Contact
Manager - Navy Uniforms: Mr John Gill, John.Gill@cbr.defence.gov.au, telephone (02) 6265 7316, facsimile (02) 6265 1845
Staff Officer - Uniforms: Mrs Sue Collicutt, Sue.Collicutt@.defence.gov.au, telephone (02) 6265 5197.
