The U.S. Navy is set to broaden the distribution of its two-piece, flame-retardant uniform in 2024, designated as the “primary at-sea” uniform option. This expansion will reach more Navy crews, according to official sources. Known as the 2-Piece Organizational Clothing uniform, or 2POC, sailors are authorized to wear this uniform on surface ships, submarines, flight decks, during commutes, and while off base.
The Navy initiated the rollout of the 2POC in December 2022, starting with U.S. Fleet Forces units, including the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford. By November, Fleet Forces Command reported that 50% of East Coast ships had already received the new uniforms. The distribution efforts have also significantly reached the Pacific Fleet. Nearly half of all uniform orders have been allocated to West Coast ships. U.S. Pacific Fleet anticipates that the 2POC will be available to all sailors in the Pacific by Fall 2024, ensuring comprehensive coverage across major naval fleets.
In Europe, the destroyer Paul Ignatius has already been equipped with the 2POC. Naval Forces Europe-Africa projects that other Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe destroyers, along with the command-and-control ship Mount Whitney and the expeditionary sea base Hershel “Woody” Williams, will also receive these uniforms throughout 2024. The distribution strategy prioritizes units based on schedules provided by each type commander, taking into account operational tempo and maintenance requirements.
The 2POC uniform is constructed from a tri-fiber blend and incorporates flame-resistant fabric. This material provides a level of flame resistance comparable to the Improved Fire Retardant Variant uniform, as previously reported by Navy Times. Significantly, all sailors assigned to surface ships and submarines will receive at least two sets of the 2POC uniform at no cost. An additional set will be provided for deployment, mirroring the distribution policy for the Improved Fire Retardant Variant uniform. This initiative ensures that sailors are properly equipped with advanced protective uniforms as the standard at-sea attire.
This expanded distribution of the new 2-piece flame-retardant navy uniforms in 2024 marks a significant step in equipping naval personnel with enhanced protective wear, ensuring safety and functionality across various operational environments.
