The US Navy and command ball caps may be worn in place of the eight-point cover with the Navy Working Uniform Type I, II or III beginning Sept. 1, as outlined in NAVADMIN 200/14, released Aug. 27.
As announced in July, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert made the decision to expand the ball cap wear policy based on fleet feedback.
According to the NAVADMIN, command ball caps are organizational clothing that may be purchased with appropriated funds. Sailors may purchase command ball caps with personal funds, just as they purchase command badges, patches, belt buckles and other permissible uniform items.
Additionally, wardrooms, chief petty officer messes, first class petty officer associations, junior enlisted associations, and other organizations may purchase command ball caps with their funds. Department of Defense guidance prohibits the use of moral, wellness and recreation’s non-appropriated funds to purchase command ball caps.
The eight-point cover remains the basic uniform component cover for the NWUs and will be the only appropriate cover for personnel uniform inspections and special occasions to ensure a uniform appearance within the command.
The Navy and command ball cap will remain authorized, optional head gear worn with Navy flight suits, Navy blue coveralls, flame resistant coveralls, and the Navy physical training uniform.