Scan pattern - People Planes Places

Naval Aviation News, July-August, 2003 by Dan Ball

The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) was established in mid-March at Pensacola, Fla., concurrent with disestablishment of the Chief of Naval Education and Training. NETC is designed to focus specifically on strategy, policy and resource issues and reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations. The NETC claimancy is responsible for the individual education and training of all Navy and many joint personnel, both officer and enlisted. NETC oversees a network of programs extending from coast to coast to overseas facilities and ships at sea. NETC activities are staffed by approximately 22,000 military and civilian personnel at more than 190 facilities worldwide. Each day, an average of nearly 40,000 officer, enlisted and civilian government personnel train in more than 3,600 different courses offered through NETC. For more information, visit www.cnet.navy.mil.

Task Force Uniform (TFU) met in Washington, D.C., in March to begin laying the groundwork for an assessment of Navy uniforms and to discuss options for implementing a more professional, sensible, cost-effective set of uniforms for the fleet. After fleet Sailors expressed concerns about the current status of Navy uniforms, CNO Adm. Vern Clark determined there should be an evaluation of the requirements. He tasked MCPON(SS/AW) Terry Scott to review the Navy's seabag to help meet the needs of tomorrow's Sailors. For the next several months, representatives from various Navy communities, including surface forces, naval air forces, submarines and Seabees, will address those concerns, as well as other issues regarding the current status of the seabag and uniform regulations. The assessment is expected to end 30 September with a report to be presented to the CNO in October.

The TFU's goal is to evaluate the usefulness of each item against specific factors with an eye towards minimizing the number of uniform items required. Some of the issues that will be addressed include developing a working uniform that can be used at sea or ashore and across all communities; establishing a service uniform for E-1 through E-6 that can be worn year-round; streamlining the Navy Uniform Regulations to make them more user friendly; and designing or redesigning uniforms to accommodate various body shapes and sizes. Although several changes may be made upon the completion of the assessment, the more than 200-year history of the U.S. Navy will not be affected. Tradition, historical acceptance and longevity are factors TFU will consider before making a final decision about any uniform. Sailors should not expect a drastic makeover in Navy fashion anytime soon, but they can expect a change that will be more convenient to them whether they are ashore or at sea.