Breaking out the Blues
Although some perma-hot stateside posts such as in Southern Florida as well as overseas warm water bases at in Bahrain, Cuba, Diego Garcia, Hawaii, Guam, et. al never shift uniforms (while UK-based Bluejackets are always authorized to wear winter uniforms), for much of the Navy, the first week of October sees the summer whites replaced by winter blues, which continue to be authorized until the following April/May.
Some regions, such as Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas, delay the change to blues until as late as November or December, but in general, the tradition, established in 1841, endures.
USS Augusta (CA-31), ship’s officers, circa 1937. Courtesy of Capt. Pat Henry., USN (RET), 1973. Catalog #: NH 78378
USS Augusta (CA-31), ship’s company, circa 1936. Courtesy of CRM W.R. Lucas, USN (RET), 1973. Catalog #: NH 78372