The Pentagon, in the second Trump era, has changed many rules to become more restrictive, especially regarding fitness and beards. But now, the Navy has announced a change to uniform rules that actually relaxes standards.
In late April, the U.S. Navy issued a NAVADMIN message changing the rules for Navy uniforms, as reported by Navy Times, “Effective immediately, wear of the SDB Jacket or Eisenhower jacket for E-7 and above in office buildings or workspaces is optional throughout the fleet,” the NAVADMIN alert says.
U.S. Navy Lt. Andrew Bentley signals an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34, to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Nov. 30, 2023. Theodore Roosevelt, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG 9), is conducting integrated training exercises in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adina Phebus)
“This allows walking within the confines of a building without the SDB Jacket or Eisenhower jacket covering the white shirt and tie. Additionally, the black garrison cap is authorized as an acceptable substitute for the combination cover for wear with the SDB coat or Eisenhower jacket. This will allow individuals flexibility what to wear when working in an office setting while wearing SDBs. Additionally, it allows an individual to determine which cover makes the most sense for the situation.”
Dress at the Pentagon
In addition, the note says, new rules are in place for what to wear in the Pentagon.
“In coordination with the Acting Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), effective 4 May 2026, NWU Type III wear is authorized in the Pentagon,” the Navy’s note says.
Per Navy Times, the memo was authorized by Hung Cao, the acting Secretary of the Navy. Cao replaced John Phelan, who departed as Secretary of the Navy last month, and became the first top military official to leave the second Trump Administration. The name on the bottom of the memo is Matt Swartz, Director of the Navy Staff.
“This change is being made to ensure the Navy is aligned with the uniforms being worn in the Pentagon by other members of the Joint Force and in an effort to continue to instill a warrior ethos in our Sailors. Personnel shall adhere to the following while wearing NWU Type IIIs within the Pentagon and those assigned to headquarters staffs within the NCR. a.NWU Type III wear is authorized when a uniform is worn commuting to and from work using privately owned vehicles, government conveyance, public commuter transportation (metro bus, metro rail, rideshare, commuter vans, taxis, and ferries), and slug lines outside the Pentagon.”
This change, however, does not apply to flight suits.
USS John Finn (DDG 113) arrives Nov. 15 at the Port of Hueneme for routine Combat System Assessment Team (CSAT) repairs and training. The ship is one of four in the fleet with an Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy — also known as ODIN. The ODIN laser weapon system stuns enemy drones threatening surface ships. The destroyer also has two helicopter hangars, big enough to hold an MH-60R Seahawk Romeo multi-mission helicopter and the MH-60S Knighthawk Sierra helicopter. (U.S. Navy Photo by Dana Rene White/Released)
“Flight suits are only authorized in the NCR for personnel in an actual flight duty status for that day.”
Rules were also put in place regarding the condition of the uniforms.
“NWU Type IIIs worn in the Pentagon shall be in good serviceable condition. Uniform items that are unserviceable, specifically those exhibiting tears, excessive fading, or visible damage do not meet established appearance standards and are not authorized for wear within the Pentagon,” the memo said.
As for those detailed with the “Joint, Office of the Secretary of War and other non-Department of the Navy organizations within the Pentagon,” the uniform of the day is a matter of their respective leadership’s discretion.
A U.S. Sailor inspects an aircraft catapult launch track on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Nov. 25, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)
A U.S. Sailor, assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron 124, signals the launch of a Carrier Air Wing 8 E-2D Hawkeye aircraft on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Nov. 29, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)
Service dress uniforms, however, “remain required for duty outside the Pentagon, including Capitol Hill engagements, meetings, and conferences.”
In February, Military Times reported on a memo issued the previous May about upcoming changes.
“The Navy Uniform Board will provide a transparent, Navy-wide forum to review Fleet-recommended uniform policies and requirements with the goals of improving or clarifying standards,” that May 2025 message said.
“Additionally, the Navy Uniform Board will review and make recommendations on planned or proposed uniform-related research, development, testing, and evaluation projects to include organizational clothing. The uniform board will be guided by the uniform goals and policy direction established by the Secretary of the Navy and the chief of Naval Operations.”
The Origins of the “Eisenhower Jacket”
The original Eisenhower jacket was named for Dwight Eisenhower, the famed World War II general who served two terms as president of the United States in the 1950s. It was sometimes even called the “Ike Jacket,” after Eisenhower’s nickname.
“General Dwight D. Eisenhower considered the Army’s World War II military uniform to be restricting and poorly suited for combat,” the website Pieces of History said. “Instead he had a standard issue wool field jacket tailored to be ‘very short, very comfortable, and very natty looking.’” It became standard issue by 1944 and was worn by Eisenhower himself.
Seabag Changes
Back in February, Military Times reported that the Navy would be “cutting back the number of mandatory uniforms issued to sailors,” as a result of a review ordered by Phelan. It’s unclear whether the conclusions will be affected by Phelan’s departure from the Navy.
Rear Adm. Jennifer Couture talked about the changes in an interview with Military Times.
“By 2027, it will be one PT uniform,” Couture told the publication. “That makes sense. And it is also higher-quality. It is more in line with, if you were to go to a running store out in town … the kinds of clothing you would find there.” A new PT uniform had been unveiled in 2019 but there had been no announcement about when the old one would be phased out.
Couture also told Military Times that some boots would likely be phased out.
“We have lots and lots of different kinds of boots,” Couture told the outlet. “If you see 10 sailors in a room, there might be, you know, eight different pairs of boots on people. And so we’ve said, why are we doing this? Does this really make sense? Does this meet the requirements for their working conditions?”
A Candidate in Uniform
Also this week, a former Navy Reserve officer who is running for Congress was chided for using his uniform in campaign materials. Complaints have also been raised that he called himself a “Navy officer” when he was a reservist.
Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat running for Congress in the San Diego area, has been using his status on the campaign trail, prompting a complaint to the Navy Reserve inspector general this spring.
According to KPBS, the IG has responded.
“LTJG Campa-Najjar’s chain of command was notified of your allegations and enacted corrective action,” the email to Aguillard reads, per KPBS. “Since chain of command engagement, LTJG Campa-Najjar’s official campaign page’s photos and disclaimer have been edited to comply with DoDD 1344.10.”
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
