Acting upon the recommendations of female officers and sailors, the Navy is implementing several changes in the uniforms they are authorized to wear. Service dress coats have been redesigned to incorporate backing buttons, akin to those worn by male officers and chief petty officers. Slacks will include added binding over the inner stitching. Service shirts will now have more inner stitching, to prevent unraveling of the bottom hems and improve appearance. Other changes affect the khaki overblouse, civilian handbags, service dress blue and dress white coats, khaki slacks, service uniform shirts, and maternity outfits. The Navy also announced plans to evaluate the standard covers worn by both men and women this spring and summer. More details are available on the Navy Personnel Command Web site, http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc.
