Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Master Chief Petty Officer Dennis Coates, the Navy Information Operations Command Georgia's senior enlisted at Fort Gordon, shows off the new blue pixilated camouflage uniform. On Feb. 20, Master Chief Petty Officer Dennis Coates, the Navy Information Operations Command Georgia's senior enlisted at Fort Gordon, noticed he was being followed around the Commissary by a woman with a puzzled look on her face.

She was curious about the pixilated camouflage Navy blue uniform similar to the Army Combat Uniform Coates was wearing because she hadn't seen anything like it.

"It's in the roll out phase. Over the course of the next six to nine months, the uniform will be released," said Coates, who wears his new Navy Working Uniform or NWU on Fridays only.

A few Sailors have already purchased the new uniform after driving to Norfolk, Va.

"The Sailors are excited," he said.

The uniform's official roll out date at Fort Gordon is April 15.

Coates said the new uniform has been under development for a few years. It looks similar to the ACUs; however, it doesn't have some of the convenience features such as the removable Velcro patches.

After a few prototypes were created, Sailors could vote on their choice at a website. The winning choice was announced in July. The uniform's use will be implemented in stages through April 2010.

According to an October article in the Navy Times, the NWU will replace "utilities worn by E-6 and below and wash khakis worn by chiefs and officers.

In addition, it will replace the little-used tropical versions of those uniforms. It also replaces the 'winter working blue' uniform, the less-dressy version of the 'Johnny Cash' black shirt and black pants worn without ribbons and tie."

Coates said the uniform comes in several sizes, and Sailors will have the opportunity to be measured for their new uniforms March 16-20 as a Navy fit team will visit Fort Gordon.

This will save Sailors shipping costs when purchasing via an 800 number or over the Internet.