Navy Khakis and Service Uniforms

The uniform of the day ashore. Why E-6 and below wear black trousers with a khaki shirt, why E-7 and above wear khaki on khaki, and the full component list for each.

Reviewed August 2026 against NAVPERS 15665J, Chapter 3 (Uniform Components)
Unofficial reference — verify against the instruction before acting on it.

The short version

Who wears khakis

Khakis mark the transition to Chief. Both uniforms start with a khaki top, so the quickest way to read someone's paygrade across a quarterdeck is the trousers.

E-6 and below — Navy Service UniformE-7 and above — Service Khaki
TopKhaki shirt or overblouse, poly/woolKhaki shirt or overblouse
TrousersBlack, poly/woolKhaki, service
CoverBlack garrison capKhaki combination cover
BeltBlack, silver clip and buckleKhaki, gold clip and buckle
Collar insigniaArticle 42274212 for CPOs; 4103.4 and 4104 for officers
Summer optionNone — worn year-roundSummer White

NAVPERS 15665J Ch. 3

Full component list

Pick your category. E-6 and below see the Navy Service Uniform; E-7 and above see both Service Khaki and Summer White.

Navy Service Uniform — Male, E-6 and below

Worn year-round for office work, watchstanding, liberty or business ashore when prescribed as uniform of the day.

Basic uniform components

ItemArticle
Shirt, Khaki, Poly/Wool3501.46
Trousers, Black, Poly/Wool3602.5
Belt, Black, Cotton or Nylon web w/Silver Clip3501.2
Buckle, Belt Silver3501.7
Cap Garrison, Black3501.10
Shoes, Dress, Black3501.54
Socks, Black3501.78
Undershirt, White3501.101
Undershorts, White3501.102
Insignia, Collar4227
Ribbons5305-5312

Prescribable items

ItemArticle
All Weather Parka3501.1b
Gloves, Black Leather3501.24

Optional items

ItemArticle
All-Weather Coat, Double Breasted3501.1a
Black Neck Gaiter (w/authorized outer garment only)3501.5
Earmuffs (w/outer garment only)3501.22
Gloves, Black Non-Leather3501.24
Jacket, Black Relax Fit13501.30
Peacoat3501.41
Scarf (w/outer garment only)3501.43
Sweater, V-Neck, Black3501.83
Umbrella, Black3501.99
Cap, Knit Watch83501.11
Name/Identification Tag55201.4

Superscript numbers refer to Chapter 3 Footnotes.

Brown shoes and khaki socks

With Service Khaki, the basic components are black shoes and black socks. Brown shoes and khaki socks appear further down, in the optional items list, and both carry footnote 2.

So brown shoes are a real option rather than folklore — but they are conditioned by a footnote, and prescribing authorities set what is actually worn at your command. Read Chapter 3 Footnotes before you buy a pair. NAVPERS 15665J Ch. 3

When it is worn

All three are uniform-of-the-day uniforms, prescribed for office work, watchstanding, liberty and business ashore:

Your command's prescribing authority sets the uniform of the day and the seasonal shift.

Common questions

Who wears khakis in the Navy?
Service Khaki is worn by E-7 and above — Chief Petty Officers and officers. It is khaki shirt with khaki trousers or slacks, a khaki combination cover and a khaki belt with a gold clip.
What do E-6 and below wear instead of khakis?
The Navy Service Uniform. It uses the same khaki shirt or overblouse but with black poly/wool trousers or slacks, a black garrison cap and a black belt with a silver clip. Both uniforms have a khaki top, which is why they get confused — the trousers are what differ.
Can you wear brown shoes with khakis?
Brown shoes and khaki socks appear as optional items with Service Khaki, carrying footnote 2 in the regulation. Read the footnote and check your command policy before wearing them.
What is the difference between Service Khaki and Summer White?
They are the same role in different seasons. Service Khaki is worn summer and winter; Summer White is the summer alternative, with a white summer shirt, white trousers or slacks, white shoes and socks, and a white combination cover.
What collar insignia goes on service uniforms?
It differs three ways. Officers wear collar insignia under articles 4103.4 and 4104. Chief Petty Officers wear collar insignia under article 4212. E-6 and below wear collar insignia under article 4227.

Source & how to verify

Navy Eval Writer is not affiliated with the U.S. Navy or the Department of Defense. Where anything here conflicts with the current instruction, the instruction governs. See our disclaimer.

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