Navy admits standard-issue uniform is highly flammable and will melt onto skin

UK Daily Mail ^ | 10 January 2013 | By Beth Stebner

[US Navy Vet]

The U.S. Navy’s standard-issue blue digitized camouflage fatigues are highly flammable and will burn ‘robustly until complete consumption,’ a report revealed last month. The findings show that the digital-print camo, which is made from 50 percent cotton and 50 percent nylon, will drip as it burns, causing potentially hazardous burn injuries. But the Navy’s top spokesman said that the government organization is aware of the report findings, and added that sailors had asked for a fade-resistant uniform that was also comfortable.

[rlmorel]

"...50 percent cotton and 50 percent nylon..."

Un-Be_Lievable. Stunning. I am a dope when it comes to clothing, but even I know you don't use standard issue clothing with that blend in an environment where you may have to deal with fires.

Stunning.

[freeangel]

“Nancy Pelosis husband was in the fabric stock market at the time and needed a few quick million.”

Yep. I was just thinking those uniforms came from someone connected to the CriminalIn Chief.

[brownsfan]

“Good Job Navy, Good Job.”

Well, they are “A Global Force for Good.” So, they have that going for them.

[BillGunn]

When I was in the Navy (long ago) the standard issue dungarees were a nylon blend. When wet and tied at the ankles they would hold air and could be used as a floatation device. They were quite stiff, would melt if too hot. Most chose to wear the optional cotton dungarees instead.

[Goldsborough]

When I was in during the late 80s we were wearing the chambray shirts with iron transferred rank insignia, over a white tee shirt, with denim pants, web belt, black socks. and mid-cut leather boots called boondockers, though I sprung for some steel toed Danners. We either wore the "dixie cup" or the command ball cap.

They weren't the sharpest working uniform ever made, but they were a throwback to the uniform worn since WW2 and represented a tradition all of its own that way. The "aquaflage" represents an organization playing "me too" on BDU style uniforms. For a more durable working uniform, the Navy should just make the navy blue coveralls we all wore for dirty work the standard shipboard uniform, maybe put some better cargo pockets on them. If a squid is doing work among the ground pounders, just adopt the Marines' MARPAT, but with a Navy symbology repeating in the fabric rather than the globe and anchor theme in the USMC version.

[BillGunn]

When I was in the Navy (long ago) the standard issue dungarees were a nylon blend. When wet and tied at the ankles they would hold air and could be used as a floatation device. They were quite stiff, would melt if too hot. Most chose to wear the optional cotton dungarees instead.

[MissMagnolia]

One of my dearest friends (now deceased) was on the USS Forrestal during that horrific episode ... the “Forrest fire” as it is called. Maybe the Navy has forgotten about that with their highly flammable, melting uniforms. Burns are horrific - pain, suffering, disfiguring damage and long difficult recovery, if you survive. Shame on the Navy.

[kingu]

But this can't be; the Navy specifically stated that these uniforms met all fire safety standards when they were announced in 2009. Surely fire safety standards do not include ‘igniting like a human torch when exposed to fire.’

Ahh, well, at least there was money left over to make a couple patrol boats for three billion dollars.

[Don Corleone]

Our flight suits in the USAF back in the 50’s and 60’s were also very flammable and tended to melt and stick to ones skin. I don’t know about today’s green bags but I wouldn’t be surprised.

[grobdriver]

added that sailors had asked for a fade-resistant uniform that was also comfortable.

How stupid is this?
One hazard you can be sure of in the service is fire.
I still remember my crew chief tearing me a new one the first time I wore a polyester polo shirt under my flight suit.
Cotton only!
Aye, Aye!

[martin_fierro]

When in the Navy and on fire, just jump in the ocean.

There. My work here is done.

[Conserev1]

Being a welder and plumber I always wore cotton and taught so from day one. And that was 35 years ago. This is nothing new.

[stuartcr]

It’s great camo...if you fell over the side, no one would ever see you and if you’re on land, you stand out like a sore thumb.

[Gasshog]

No but cotton fades quickly. just don’t play with matches everything will be Otay.

[moose07]

[snort] touche... :)

[VermiciousKnid]

Get rid of them. They’re ugly as Hell anyway.

[stuartcr]

‘cause all the other guys have their camo

[stuartcr]

No, they were great, especially the bells

[ltc8k6]

“The Navy’s standard-issue blue camouflage uniforms are highly flammable and will melt onto the skin when burning, a recent Navy test revealed.

A second revelation: This comes as no surprise to the Navy.

“We knew when we designed this uniform that it wasn’t flame-resistant,” said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Navy’s top spokesman.”

What a great guy to have leading you...

[Mr Rogers]

Current flight suits are Nomex - very flame resistant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomex