Overview

Midshipmen generally wear one of four classes of uniform while on Academy grounds.  The wearing of civilian clothes, traditionally known as being in "mufti" or "civvies", is a class privilege. For example, fourth classmen must go on liberty in Service Dress Blue or Summer White, while other midshipmen may wear civilian clothes. First classmen may wear civvies in the barracks after 1600. 

General uniform are described below:

• Service Dress - This is the equivalent of a business suit, and is worn for more important occasions such as special dinners, job interviews, parades, and inspections.  The most recognized service dress uniform is Service Dress Blue, which includes a black suit coat (with sleeve stripes signifying rank), black pants, white shirt, and black neck tie.   During warm weather months, there are Service Dress Whites, known as "chokers" due to the high collar on the men's uniform, and Summer Whites, similar to the Service Khaki, but in white.  (In each of these instances, women may replace the pants with a skirt.)

• Formal or Dinner Dress - Worn during formal occasions such as the June Ball or Christmas Ball, formal dress uniforms are comparable to black tie in the civilian world.  Short coats, black bow ties, and gold cummerbunds for men, and long skirts and frilled shirts for women are hallmarks of these distinctive uniforms.  The dinner dress jacket is white in the summer and black in the winter, while the pants (or skirt) and shoes are always black.

• Other - These include physical training or PT gear, coveralls, and other uniforms for specialized occasions.

In addition to uniforms, midshipmen wear different insignia (to indicate class and major), designators (to reflect their enrollment in the Naval Reserve or one of the service specific "military option" programs), and ribbons (which represent personal decorations, unit commendations, and service awards).