NONPUNITIVE CENSURE

Nonpunitive censure is nothing more than criticism of a subordinate's behavior or perfomnance of duty by a military superior. This censure is informal and it may be delivered either orally or in writing. Since this form of admonishment is commonly used in military organizations, it is normally delivered orally and referred to as "chewing out." A nonpunitive letter of censure is a more formal method of registering disapproval than some other means of communication, but it is not a matter of record and does not become a part of one's official record. The law places little restraint on the commander's use of this leadership technique though sound leadership principles may dictate the commander's use of censure in terms of good judgment.

ALTERNATIVE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT

Alternative voluntary restraint is a device whereby a military superior promises not to report an offense or to impose disciplinary punishment for it in return for a promise by the subordinate not to take normal liberty and to remain on base or aboard ship. Such a practice is not recognized as a lawful exercise of military authority and a superior who uses this device runs a risk of prosecution. Alternative voluntary restraint should also be avoided since it cannot be enforced in court should the matter arise in a criminal prosecution.

UNIFORM REGULATIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: State the importance of proper uniform wear. Explain a brief history of Navy uniforms. Describe the classes and types of uniforms and uniform policy when traveling. Explain the uniform regulations in terms of correct wear, care, and special uniform situations. Describe the uniforms for security personnel and shore patrol. Define protective clothing.

The United States Navy is a uniformed military service. Its uniforms and the indications of rank and specialty displayed thereon are but outward symbols of naval organization and military rank or rating. As such, the Navy uniform is a visibly important element in the morale, pride, discipline, and effectiveness of the Navy. The subject of uniforms and operational attire, therefore, merits concern and individual attention at the senior level in each Navy organization.

HISTORY OF U.S. NAVY UNIFORMS

The development of the naval uniform has both recognized and maintained historical precedent. Since the early days of the United States Navy, there has existed a basic uniform policy directed toward clothing members in attractive, distinctive, and practical uniforms. Naval uniforms have reflected these criteria in their evolutionary development by gradual and meaningful changes in response to existing requirements, contemporary fashions, uniform material improvements, and economics. Uniforms have evolved that enable the sailor to work efficiently within the naval environment, afford some functional protection, and provide a distinct identity. The uniforms selected have been those that adapted to the unique and rigorous life at sea, as well as assignments ashore.

Again, following historical precedent, the establishment of an enlisted uniform distinctive from the officer's uniform has reflected the separate responsibility levels of the first members of the Navy. Through the years, as senior petty officers assumed a greater leadership role, this concept has largely persisted as the tradition of "bell bottoms" remained popular and the American public readily identified U.S. sailors. In his traditional enlisted uniform the American Navy man "looked like a sailor." Those responsible for the development of Navy uniforms have continued the traditional concept as the jumper style enlisted uniform remains practical, adaptable, and, with the addition of rating badges, easily identifiable. Conversely, the officer's and senior petty officer's service uniform paralleled civilian executive attire and was both fashionable and practical. Thus, through the years, distinct uniforms have been accepted and should be maintained.

The action to use a suit style for all enlisted personnel has been one of the most controversial changes to affect the Navy in its uniform history. From a practical standpoint, the adoption of a different uniform for dress wear was not the result of a requirement. The jumper/bell bottom style had evolved in a work environment where each piece of the garment originally satisfied a need. With the absence of fully rigged sailing ships and the advent of more comfortable work uniforms, what a sailor wears for dress occasions is now a matter of style.

The most obvious impasse to acceptance of the suit and tie outfit to the enlisted and general public is that it breaks with tradition. While the components of the jumper style uniform serve no nautical purpose today and are not related to anything worn in the civilian world, it has served to identify sailors all over the globe for too long a period of time. Most navies of the world have used a similar outfit and most still retain it for nonrated personnel. Throughout the course of uniform history there has continued a strong resistance to changing traditional garments. Sailors prefer to be distinctively dressed. It was the same in 1830s as it is today.

The growing number of women in the Navy, the increasing number of job skills being developed by these women, and the prospect of assigning more women to sea duty has necessitated an examination of the concepts guiding development of women's uniforms. The obvious goal is uniformity; however, it is not desirable to sacrifice femininity to obtain this uniform appearance. Accordingly, the use of modified male uniform components is not desirable. The uniforms for women must combine utility with contemporary fashion ensuring compatibility without frequent change.

CATEGORIZATION OF NAVY UNIFORMS

History and unique conditions of the naval service demand that distinctive uniforms be provided to meet the varied needs of people in the Navy. Distinctions are necessitated by usage requirements and climatic environment.

Classes of Uniforms

Individual uniform needs exist for ceremonial dress, for wear to correspond to a business suit environment, for work, and finally for social functions. These uniforms are categorized and defined as follows: 

. Ceremonial. Full dress uniforms are prescribed for official formal occasions that include honors aboard ships and stations, such as changes of command, inspections, and similar ceremonies. 

. Protocol (social). Dress uniforms, formal and dinner dress, are prescribed for formal evening functions or state occasions at which civilians normally wear evening dress (white tie) or dinner dress (black tie). Specialized dress uniforms may also be developed and prescribed to meet certain unique protocol requirements. 

. Uniform of the day. Service dress uniforms normally are prescribed as the uniform of the day. These uniforms are equivalent to civilian business attire and are prescribed for normal executive office work, watchstanding, liberty, and official business ashore. 

. Work. Working uniforms are prescribed for working situations that would unduly soil dress uniforms or where dress uniforms would be inconvenient or unsafe. Working uniforms are prescribed as the uniform of the day aboard ship when at sea and usually are permitted for shipboard personnel in port during normal working hours. They may also be worn at shore stations during normal working hours in industrial areas, and when otherwise deemed appropriate by the senior officer present.

Types of Uniforms

Uniforms must reflect the climate in which they are to be used. Extremes of climate and environment, such as polar wear or flight equipment, are considered to be outside of the prescribed U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations and are governed by technical requirements as operational attire. In conformance with civilian convention, there are three seasonal types: 

. Winter-Mediumweight garments designed to be worn during winter months of temperate zones (vice arctic wear). 

. Summer-Lightweight garments designed to be worn during summer months of temperate zones (vice tropical). 

. Tropical-Lightweight garments designed to be worn under tropical conditions.

PRESCRIBING UNIFORM WEAR

To provide optimum uniform control (uniformity), special emphasis is placed on the prescribing of the most suitable uniforms, dress and work, with regard to work environment, local climatic conditions, geographic location, and public exposure.

Pride in appearance is the mark of a responsible military member, officer and enlisted alike, and a prime indicator of morale and discipline in a command. All naval personnel should familiarize themselves with the standards of appearance and are held responsible for making sure their appearance is within those standards while in a duty status.

The CNO area representatives (formerly called commandants), of each area of responsibility (formerly called naval districts) is assigned the responsibility for establishing and controlling uniform policies within the geographical limits of his or her area. The CNO area representative prescribes uniforms for the season, day, or special occasion for all naval personnel (including marines under his or her command) that will provide the greatest uniformity. The CNO area representative, or an individual acting in the area representative's behalf, makes sure that the need for uniformity is stressed within given commands. Uniformity throughout a geographic area, although desirable, should not be a deterrent to individual command mission.

SOPAs in ports and adjacent waters should, insofar as possible, follow the uniforms prescribed by the CNO area representative with regard to liberty parties and members of the command operating ashore. Uniform policy afloat and for shore stations outside the jurisdiction of any naval area should be the responsibility of the senior officer present.

COS and OICs should make sure that uniforms are properly worn and maintained so as not to bring discredit to the command or to the naval service. Personnel at all levels must make sure that their own appearance and that of their subordinates conform to uniform regulations and grooming standards.

Personnel of all naval activities domiciled within the area should wear only those uniforms prescribed for personnel assigned to the area.

Naval personnel should wear the uniform of their respective rank as prescribed by the designated uniform prescribing authority.

The uniform should be worn properly to reflect credit upon the individual, the naval service, and the United States.

Local uniform regulations are punitively enforceable, having the force of a general order, and should be reviewed by a cognizant judge advocate to ensure enforceability.