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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

How to Mark Your Navy Uniform

Your uniform tells your story. Who you are, what you are, what you do and how well you do it are all explained (at least in part) by your uniform.

Take pride in it. Proper care of your uniform will be a waste of time if your "gear adrift" ends up in the Lucky Bag or is in the laundry for lack of ownership markings. Navy Uniform Regulations state that all articles of clothing and accessories must be legibly marked with the owner's name (usually meaning last name and initials) and service number, unless otherwise notified, in a particular way and in a particular place. All Hands Magazine shows how it is done.

All markings, other than those on labels, shall be made with a one-half-inch stencil or stamp, if available; otherwise with a stencil not larger than one-inch. Where the word "right" or "left" appears in regulations (except in the case of towels), the term means the man's right or left when he is wearing the garment.

Use black marking fluid for all white clothes and chambray shirts and white marking fluid for blue clothes and dungaree trousers. Use indelible ink when labels are provided for the purpose.

Optional items of clothing shall be marked similarly to comparable items of required clothing.

No transfer or exchange of uniform clothing of enlisted personnel shall be made without the authority of the commanding officer. When such transfers or exchanges are authorized, or when clothing belonging to deserters is sold, the name of the former owner shall be obliterated with a stamp marked "DC," and the purchaser's name shall be placed above, below or next to it. The master-at-arms shall keep a record of such changes.

 Neckerchief: Stencil or stamp name and service number diagonally across the center.   Undershirt: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the outside of the front, one inch from the bottom of the shirt and at right of the center.    Blue or White Jumpers: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the inside of the hem at the right of the center line of the back. 
Neckerchief: Stencil or stamp name and service number diagonally across the center.     Undershirt: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the outside of the front, one inch from the bottom of the shirt and at right of the center.   Blue or White Jumpers: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the inside of the hem at the right of the center line of the back. 

White Hat: Stencil or stamp name and serial number on the brim, when the brim is turned down, close enough to the crown so that the markings will not show when the brim is turned up.    Service Blue Cap: Stencil or stamp initials only on the inside of the sweatband.    Watch Cap: Print name and service number on label on the inside one-half inch from the bottom. 
White Hat: Stencil or stamp name and serial number on the brim, when the brim is turned down, close enough to the crown so that the markings will not show when the brim is turned up.   Service Blue Cap: Stencil or stamp initials only on the inside of the sweatband.   Watch Cap: Print name and service number on label on the inside one-half inch from the bottom.

Blue Working Cap: Stencil or stamp initials only on the inside of the sweatband.   Blue Trousers (Button-front type): Print name and service number on label on the wearer's right-hand pocket, inside the waistband.    Blue Trousers (Zipper-front type): Print name and service number on label of the back pocket piece. 
Blue Working Cap: Stencil or stamp initials only on the inside of the sweatband.   Blue Trousers (Button-front type): Print name and service number on label on the wearer's right-hand pocket, inside the waistband.   Blue Trousers (Zipper-front type): Print name and service number on label of the back pocket piece.

 Peacoat: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the lining, on the right side of slit of tail three inches from and parallel to the bottom.

Peacoat: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the lining, on the right side of slit of tail three inches from and parallel to the bottom.

 Dungaree Trousers: Requires two markings. Stencil or stamp name and service number on the waistband, on the inside, in front, at the right of the center line; last name only goes above the right hip pocket.   Blue Chambray Shirt: Requires two tags. Stencil or stamp name and service number on the shirttail and last name on left front, one inch above the pocket.    Blue Chambray Shirt: Requires two tags. Stencil or stamp name and service number on the shirttail and last name on left front, one inch above the pocket. 
Dungaree Trousers: Requires two markings. Stencil or stamp name and service number on the waistband, on the inside, in front, at the right of the center line; last name only goes above the right hip pocket.   Blue Chambray Shirt: Requires two tags. Stencil or stamp name and service number on the shirttail and last name on left front, one inch above the pocket.

Raincoat: Stencil or stamp name and service number inside on the lining, three inches below the collar seam.    Blue Working Jacket: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the inside hem at the at the right of the center line on the back.    Sweater: Print your name or service number on label on the inside, below the back of the collarette. 
Raincoat: Stencil or stamp name and service number inside on the lining, three inches below the collar seam.   Blue Working Jacket: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the inside hem at the at the right of the center line on the back.   Sweater: Print your name or service number on label on the inside, below the back of the collarette.

 Towel: Stencil or stamp name and service number in the left corner (as you face the towel) on the hem, parallel to the end.   Gloves: Stencil or stamp initials only on the inside near the top.    Swim Trunks: Stencil or stamp name and service number inside, on hem, on right center of back.
Towel: Stencil or stamp name and service number in the left corner (as you face the towel) on the hem, parallel to the end.   Gloves: Stencil or stamp initials only on the inside near the top.   Swim Trunks: Stencil or stamp name and service number inside, on hem, on right center of back.

 Belts: Stencil or stamp name and service number inside of belt.   Socks: Stencil or stamp your initials only, on the foot.    Shoes: Stencil or stamp your initials only, inside near the top. 
Belts: Stencil or stamp name and service number inside of belt.   Socks: Stencil or stamp your initials only, on the foot.   Shoes: Stencil or stamp your initials only, inside near the top.

 Drawers: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the outside of the right half of the waistband.       White Trousers: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the waistband, on the inside, in front, to the right of the center line. 
Drawers: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the outside of the right half of the waistband.       White Trousers: Stencil or stamp name and service number on the waistband, on the inside, in front, to the right of the center line.

    Sea Bag: Requires two markings. Stencil or stamp name and service number along the carrying strap on the outer side, and on the opposite side from the carrying strap, around the bag, about one foot from the top.     
    Sea Bag: Requires two markings. Stencil or stamp name and service number along the carrying strap on the outer side, and on the opposite side from the carrying strap, around the bag, about one foot from the top.    

 

Source: "How to Mark Your Navy Uniform." All Hands 543 (April 1962): 32-33.

15 February 2005