Public Servant Lifestyle

Navy News has reported that R.N personnel should wear uniform when ashore, as a way of raising the services profile and aiding recruitment.

Navy News – the online and print-based news service for UK Naval personnel and their families - has reported that Royal Navy personnel should wear uniform when ashore, as a way of raising the services profile and aiding recruitment.

The Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral James Burnell-Nugent has announced that – while still following the guidance of their superior officers as regards security and other problems – serving personnel should be seen in uniform whenever possible. This is in contrast to existing standard practice, which has seen Royal Navy personnel advised to don civilian attire while ashore, so as not to make themselves too easily identifiable at times of relaxation when their guard might be down. This situation came about as a result of perceived dangers to highly visible off-duty personnel at since the early seventies.

Visibility

Pictured (right): 'Blow The Hatch' - part of the winning entry for the ‘Best Section Portfolio’ awarded to FOSNNI Photographic Section at HM Naval Base Clyde. It was also the winner of the ‘Best Public Relations’ photograph award, taken by LA(Phot) Wareing. This R.N image is crown copyright.

Navy News reported that responsibility would still rest with Commanding Officers to determine the balance of risk and benefits of wearing uniform ashore at any particular time. Admiral Burnell Nugent said: "The decision to wear uniform in public is a personal one and vigilance must be maintained at all times,".

"However, there are benefits to being seen, along with our sister Services, wearing uniform in public, and I strongly encourage all personnel to do so when and where possible. We take great pride in being members of the Naval Service and I believe that it is important that we should be able to express this pride in a visible way.

"Promotion of the Service in the public eye is another key reason why we should wear uniform when conducting domestic business in the communities where we work. The pool of talented young people from which the Service can recruit is growing smaller and the competition is increasing. Using ourselves to increase the visibility of the Service will help to fill gaps. Wearing uniform in public brings with it a responsibility to maintain the highest of standards and care must be taken to avoid doing anything which might bring the Service into disrepute."

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