NWU parade of fail

OK, they look nice ... but ... the logic train is just pathetic.

We wish to decrease the Seabag; so we increase it.

We wish to save Sailors money; so we require many and more expensive items for them to purchase.

We want to simplify - so we complicate.

Chew on this.

"The NWU Type II/III approval is a culmination of a four-year effort comprising all of the expeditionary stakeholders, ensuring we capture the true operational requirements our Sailors' need to succeed on the battlefield," said Master Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Robert McCue, NWU Type II/III Conformance Test Monitor. "They provide unmatched capabilities to the warfighter enabling tactical advantage and enhancing mission success thus saving lives."

The NWU Type II (desert) uniform will be worn by Navy Special Warfare (NSW) operators and Sailors assigned to NSW units or units which directly support NSW operations. The NWU Type III (woodland) uniform will be the standard camouflage uniform for all personnel, to be worn in non-desert environments, including most stateside areas. The only difference between the two uniforms is the camouflage pattern.

The NWU Type III will replace the existing tri-colored woodland camouflage utility uniform, will be the standard camouflage uniform worn in CONUS, and can be worn while deployed as prescribed by combatant commanders. Occasion for wear of the NWU Type III will be the same as the current woodland camouflage utility uniform per NAVADMIN 188/09.

Nice to see the Master Chief likes to play Bu11sh1t Bingo too ... and if you are a Sailor in the desert and not NSW related ....

You know - you could have just gone with multi-cam and saved everyone the trouble - but that would be too simple and cost effective.

One of our Sailors summed it up in an email well.

I thought the whole plan with this sea bag change was to reduce the size of my seabag. I mean if I have to have 15 different NWU styles based on where I am stationed, then really what was the point?

"Well wife, these NWU's are for when I am on at a sea going command, but not at sea; these are for when I am ashore, but not in CONUS; These are for when I am IA to OCONUS but still in NATO Europe; these are IA but in HOA TOA; these are for IA in the 'Stan; these are for sea going and deployed on a ship; and finally these were for that last staff tour I did where the O-9 couldn't make up his mind what he wanted to wear. Oh and that is my flight deck gear for just in case. So that means you just can't bring any of your clothes cause we are now over our limit for household goods just in my uniforms."

Or was it just trying to be all "hopey changey" while thinking of the children? I would kill to be back in the standard bell bottom dungrees.

All this in more time than it took to fight the Second World War.

Just griping from the sidelines? Perhaps. Demonstrating a perfect example of the slow, inefficient, and ineffective bureaucracy that we have? Yes.

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For some side fun - who wants to take the time to demonstrate the NWU's failures already from the above pic?

I'll start. Note the wear difference and fading (ship's laundry hasn't changed, I see) ... there is more - have fun in comments.

On a serious note - let me put on my white vest - in case no one knows .... in a flash fire, velcro burns like the plastic it is. I don't think NWU are NOMEX .....

Glad to see coveralls are going down fighting though.