A whole new Navy blue

EVERETT — The USS Abraham Lincoln’s flight deck is nothing like a models’ catwalk, but soon sailors on the Everett-based carrier will sport the latest in Navy fashion — “aquaflage.”

The Navy’s new work uniform has a blue, gray and black pattern based on the standard camouflage used by other branches of the military.

The new uniform might not help much if a sailor falls overboard, but the new blue, black and gray camouflage work uniform is sure to hide black grease and gray ship paint.

Naval Station Everett’s Navy Exchange has sold about 500 sets of uniforms since mid-November when the new work clothes first became available, the store’s uniform specialist Theresa Shefstad said.

Piles of unisex shirts and pants in four sizes are stacked high on folding tables in the middle of the store. But with the return of the Lincoln to the base expected this month, everything in stock should fly out the door, Shefstad said.

“We’ll have a huge rush when the Lincoln gets here,” she said. Fewer than a third of the several thousands who serve aboard the carrier have suited up in the new gear.

The blue cammies replace the khaki and denim work-wear used for decades. Those uniforms were easily stained and torn during ship maintenance projects, she said.

Made from a tough blend of nylon and cotton, the new uniforms are wash-and-wear, requiring no ironing or fuss. They are expected to last much longer than previous work uniforms.

“The new uniforms are soft and have elastic in the waist. You can go longer without looking wrinkled or dirty,” Sheftstad said. “One guy told me he wore his new uniform five days in a row. He claimed he didn’t even stink. I said, ‘Are you sure?’ ”

Especially appreciated by the sailors are the Gore-Tex hooded parkas and warm jacket liners with lots of pockets.

“Those with middle-of-the-night watch duty should stay dry and warm,” Sheftstad said. “They can wear them in public, too.”

Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Held, who works on the destroyer USS Shoup, got help Wednesday from Shefstad as he tried to figure what size to buy.

“It’s a definite upgrade,” Held said as he looked at the shirts.

Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Robinson, a computer technology expert, said he likes the new uniform for its comfort.

“And they are more flashy,” Robinson said.

Navy personnel receive an allowance to help them buy the new uniform. At a cost of nearly $400, the complete outfit isn’t cheap. It includes an undershirt, pants, shirt, cap, parka, liner and boots.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Vaughan bought part of his new work uniform on Wednesday.

“It’ll all wash out in the end, but it’s expensive to get started,” Vaughan said.

Gary Burt, a retired 26-year Navy veteran who lives in Mountlake Terrace, said the new uniforms look a little feminine to him.

“The khakis were perfectly good uniforms. Why change? Thank goodness, they’re keeping the dress blues,” Burt said. “The Navy is all about tradition, which means a lot to me. The new uniforms cost the taxpayers money. Shouldn’t we be more concerned about homeless people?”

Other branches of the military have come out with new camouflage work uniforms in recent years, Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Quanbeck said.

“The uniforms will save sailors money in the long run and make their sea bags (luggage) lighter. The clothes camouflage stains and ship-gray paint,” Quanbeck said. “Most of the younger sailors were all for them.”



Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.