As of Tuesday after an 11-year run, one of the Navy’s most beloved uniforms – the “Blueberry” camouflage uniform – will no longer be authorized for wear.
Also being updated is the eight-point cap. Which fill feature an anchor, USS Constitution and an eagle emblem stitched into the front-center panel, where sailors originally placed rank insignia.
The blue camouflage uniform was first introduced in 2008 as a part of a uniform modernization program based on sailor’s feedback. The uniform was originally intended to be worn by enlisted and officers to “project a unified image/appearance regardless of rank.”
Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Adam Cole recently stated that “Type I pioneered the Navy into the accepted wear of camouflage style uniforms, something that history reflects has been long desired by Sailors. The blue-hued uniform “served its purpose for its era. Now the Navy is transitioning forward” to a green-and-black digital camouflage design called Type III, which was popular among sailors and previously used by expeditionary forces.”
Before camouflage utility uniforms were brought into the naval service, sailors originally wore two-toned blue uniforms known as dungarees. Before those, there was a modernized utility uniform that featured dark blue pants and light blue tops.
Master Chief Petty Officer Phil Mertes, a 26-year active duty yeoman currently service in San Antonio, Texas, said that “Dungarees were iconic. Utilities came and were more professional looking, but I believe the [blue cammies] were the Navy’s first attempt at a joint-looking uniform.”
