WASHINGTON, DC -- The Navy recently introduced a new physical training uniform to sailors. The uniforms include a gold T-shirt with reflective Navy lettering and blue shorts with Navy lettering and reflective markings, according to a press release from the Navy.
The new uniforms will be required for all group and unit physical training (PT) in the Navy, as well as the semi-annual physical fitness tests.
“It's to support the culture of fitness and provide a uniformality among sailors,” says Robert Carroll, head of the naval uniform office at Chief of Naval Personnel in Millington, TN. “To achieve this, the Navy's leadership decided to adopt the new PT uniform.”
The new uniforms will begin hitting the Navy this month, starting with Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL, and will phase into the rest of the fleet between May and September. Sailors will be able to pick up their uniforms at Navy Exchanges around the world. A set of two of the new uniforms cost $50.
Simultaneous with the official fleet rollout of the uniform, flag officers, commanding officers and command master chiefs will have the opportunity to purchase the uniforms by calling the Navy exchange uniform call center.
“It's called leading from the front,” Carroll says, explaining why a commanding officer can get his new uniforms right away. “The Navy wants to lead its sailors from the top.”