 15 July 1997 NSCC ACTION LETTER 7-97
1. Purpose. To solicit inputs and comments from field units to the NSCC officer uniform study which will be conducted during the summer. 2. Background. The NSCC was authorized to wear the Navy uniform, appropriately modified by NSCC insignia, at the time it received its Federal Charter; which, among other provisions, delineated the partnership between NSCC and the Department of the Navy in training of American youth. The uniform, as worn and as modified, is worn with great pride by members of the NSCC officer corps as it reflects their status as "Part of the Navy Family." 3. Discussion. RADM McGann, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, has noted that a significant number of NSCC adult leaders fail to meet Navy weight standards and, consequently, do not meet Navy standards regarding military appearance and bearing when in uniform. Since the NSCC officer wears the Navy uniform, appropriately modified by NSCC insignia, Admiral McGann expressed strong interest in ensuring that those wearing the uniform meet Navy weight standards or, that the uniform be modified to clearly indicate that the wearer is a member of the NSCC, not a naval officer. In exploring the problem with members of Admiral McGann's staff, we advised that NSCC recognized the need to bring the NSCC Officer Corps in to conformance with Navy weight standards and have established a program for that purpose. In establishing the program, two critical factors were considered. First, there is a critical shortage of competent, capable NSCC officers. Second, many of our more experienced, more productive adult leaders are older, more mature individuals who are physically unable to meet Navy weight standards. To avoid an unacceptable loss of adult leaders, the program provides for transfer of those unable to meet Navy weight standards to a "non-uniformed" status. Additionally, those individuals seeking initial officer appointments are required to meet weight standards. A civilian alternative uniform was established for those transferring to a non-uniform status. Originally, NAVCRUITCOM was advised that the preferred course of action was to continue the weight program in place. Action would be taken to ensure that weight reduction program provisions are enforced and modified as may be necessary, to obtain the desired results in a more timely manner. It was felt that in this manner, we could attain our goal of improving the appearance of our uniformed adult leaders with less impact on morale and, most important, minimal losses in the ranks of the officer corps. Since this position was proposed to Navy Recruiting Command, it has been determine that the NSCC program may best be served by further conducting a study on the NSCC officer uniform with inputs and recommendations from all NSCC regions. Accordingly, a study group has been formed under the direction of the NSCC National President, Bruce B. Smith, to review and make recommendations on the composition of the NSCC officer uniform. The study may review any and all recommendation submitted to them. There are no preset requirements. The study group will consider the impact of any changes on the program as a whole, the cost of any changes, the availability of uniform items, functionality of the uniform, the distinctiveness of the uniform, what is best for the program, what image the uniform will project, and any other parameters that should be considered. The study group's review of the officer uniform will focus on three major areas:
There are many considerations and variations in each of the above areas to be reviewed. The study is confined to the adult uniform, and there will be no change to the cadet uniform. 4. Action. All units are request to contact their Regional Director and forward their unit's recommendation for the composition of the NSCC officer uniform. Regional Directors are requested to provide in writing, their top three uniform recommendations (if they have three) to the study group chairman by 10 August: Bruce B. Smith The recommendations should be complete and thoroughly cover all aspects of the uniform. Format for the recommendations is shown below. Final submit from the Regional Director shall be submitted under the Regional Director's name.
Recommendations shall cover all aspects of the uniform. The study group will provide their recommendation plan at the Regional Director's Conference in September. The final recommendation will be submitted for consideration to the NSCC Board of Directors at their winter meeting. 14-16 November 1997. Regional Directors shall give this their top priority. 5. Cancellation This letter is canceled 31 December 1997.
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