Pensacola, Fla. - May 2011: Cryptologic Technician (Network) 2nd Class Gianni Laban, from Miami, an analyst at Navy Information Operations Command, Pensacola, performs a last-minute check of his uniform before a command inspection at Corry Station. (Navy photo by Gary Nichols)
By: FEDweek StaffMoving forward based on input from sailors, the Navy is dropping certain terms that formerly showed up in uniform-policy guidelines. The words in question, it has been determined, could unwittingly have fostered biases against race, ethnicity and gender.
Gone are “faddish,” “good taste,” “eccentric/eccentricities,” “complement the individual,” “complement the skin tone,” “smartness,” “conspicuous/inconspicuous,” and “outrageous.”
The term “professional appearance” will be revised.
The term “professional military appearance” is being added. So, too, are “complementary appearance” and “uniform distraction,” with further definitions.
The Navy made the changes after canvasing opinions among male and female sailors in pay grades E-3 through O-6 last summer and fall. Responses came from shore-based and afloat communities, representing a cross section of ethnicities and demographics.
