Questions and Answers

Q:  In reference to the khaki windbreaker jacket, is that an optional wear item with the Service Khaki uniform, or is this the same jacket as the Marine Corps Tanker Jacket?

A: No, the Navy khaki windbreaker jacket and the Marine Corps Tanker Jacket are two different jackets, not only in style, but most importantly in color. The Navy version matches the color of the service khaki, while the Marine Corps version is described as “pewter gray polyester/wool gabardine material.”

The Navy khaki windbreaker jacket has not been sold by Navy Exchange for several years, however, it remains an authorized optional uniform item as long as the jacket is in a serviceable condition.

Q: Are officers wearing the Service Khaki uniform allowed to wear a backpack over both shoulders when walking from the Metro station to their office building?

A: No, according to Commissioned Corps Issuance (CCI) (CCI 412.01) CC26.3.1, “Uniforms and Appearance,” dated 1 March 2009, officers may only wear backpacks on both shoulders if wearing a working uniform (e.g., Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) or Coveralls).

Section 6-6b states “Bags. (e.g., briefcases, gym bags, backpacks, laptop bags, lunch bags, suitcases, and garment bags, etc. (this does not include women's handbags/purses)) shall be hand carried with the following exceptions:

1. Backpacks/gym bags/laptop bags/garment bags may be worn when riding a bicycle or motorcycle;
2. Backpacks/gym bags/laptop bags/garment bags may be worn on the left shoulder when wearing service or working uniforms; and
3. Backpacks may be worn over both shoulders when wearing working uniforms.

All hand carried bags and other bags, to include luggage, when possible, shall be carried or placed on the left side to facilitate saluting. Bags also should not be open (unzipped, unclasped, or other wise unsecured), be unduly large, or stuffed with so many items as to present an unkempt or unprofessional appearance.

Bags must also be only black or navy in color (except for the G.I. duffel bag) and must not have any logos, except that of the Corps logo or a small commercial logo. Operating Division (OPDIV), Staff Division (STAFFDIV), non-Health and Human Services (HHS) organizational logos (Bureau of Prisons, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, etc.) or Association (Commissioned Officers Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, National Association of the Uniformed Services, etc.) logos are not authorized.*

*Association logo bags may be worn/carried when in actual attendance of a meeting or conference. Bags in the shapes/designs of characters or other similar type shapes/designs are not authorized.

Q: After an officer leaves a duty station that has a unique PHS name tag (e.g., Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Service, or Food and Drug Administration), is the officer allowed to continue to wear that name tag?

A: No, per (CCI 431.01) CC26.3.6, “Insignia and Devices,” dated 1 March 2009, officers are permitted to wear the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Division (OPDIV), Staff Division (STAFFDIV), or non-HHS organization-specific name tags only while assigned to that OPDIV, STAFFDIV, or non-HHS organization. Upon transfer, the officer is required to wear the standard PHS name tag with the Corps logo.

Q: I recently saw a picture of a fellow officer wearing a black turtle-neck shirt under the BDU blouse with the Under Armor logo plainly visible on the neck. Is this permitted?

A: There are various options for undershirts and/or cold weather protection while wearing the BDUs, as detailed in (CCI 413.01) CC26.3.7, “Special Uniform Situations,” however, the display of commercial logos, images, or lettering is not permitted.

Shoes, various handbags, backpacks, or purses may contain a small discrete commercial; however it should not draw undue attention or be overtly obvious. A black turtle-neck with a quarter to half dollar sized white logo is overt and plainly obvious. Numerous vendors sell tactical undergarments that meet criteria without having obvious logos visible. Additionally, these items would be worn under the official PHS t-shirt and not a substitute for it.