Uniforms
Midshipmen
generally wear one of four classes of uniform while on Academy
grounds. The wearing of civilian clothes, traditionally
known as being in "mufti" or "civvies",
is a class privilege. (For example, fourth classmen must
go on liberty in Service Dress Blue or Summer White, while other
midshipmen may wear civilian clothes.) First classmen
may wear civvies in the barracks after 1600. General uniform
are described below:
- Working Uniforms. Known as the Uniform of the
Day (UOD), this is the core uniform that midshipmen wear. This
uniform varies by season. During the warm weather months,
midshipmen wear Service Khakis, comprised of a short-sleeve
shirt, long pants, black shoes, and a garrison or "fore
and aft" cap. Officers wear the traditional "high
pressure cover", so-called because of its tight fit around
the head. During cold weather months, the UOD changes
to Winter Blue, which includes a heavier black long-sleeve shirt
and pants, black shoes, and a black garrison cap or white high-pressure
hat. Topcoats include the convoy coat in winter, or the
A-Jacket in spring and fall.
-
Service
Dress. This is the equivalent of a business suit,
and is worn for more important occasions such as special
dinners, job interviews, parades, and inspections.
The most recognized service dress uniform is Service Dress
Blue, which includes a black suit coat (with sleeve stripes
signifying rank), black pants, white shirt, and black neck
tie. During warm weather months, there are Service
Dress Whites, known as "chokers" due to the high
collar on the men's uniform, and Summer Whites, similar
to the Service Khaki, but in white. (In each of these
instances, women may replace the pants with a skirt.)
-
Formal
or Dinner Dress. Worn during formal occasions such
as the June Ball or Christmas Ball, formal dress uniforms
are comparable to black tie in the civilian world. Short
coats, black bow ties, and gold cummerbunds for men, and long
skirts and frilled shirts for women are hallmarks of these
distinctive uniforms. The dinner dress jacket is white
in the summer and black in the winter, while the pants (or
skirt) and shoes are always black.
- Other. These include physical training or PT gear,
coveralls, and other uniforms for specialized occasions.
In addition to uniforms,
midshipmen wear different insignia (to indicate class and major),
designators (to reflect their enrollment in the Naval Reserve
or one of the service specific "military option" programs),
and ribbons (which represent personal decorations, unit commendations,
and service awards).
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