An Cosantóir

21 NAVAL SERVICE VARIANT DPM of the ship's company are involved in some form of work. Maintenance doesn't start and stop. It just is. This is an immutable fact of a life at sea. The NSV DPM will make the physical aspects of that work more comfortable. It will be harder wearing, more breathable, and safer. It will not remove the need for personal protective equipment such overalls for those extraordinarily dirty jobs, such as painting and greasing, which are needed to keep each vessel shipshape. While NSV DPM will be slightly more forgiving of the occasional mishap, all sailors know another fact only too well, woe betide the sailor who would present with slovenly dress on morning divisions, or on handover of a watch should the Coxn's eye fall upon them. A final and universal fact of military service is that personnel bind together in the shared identity of their profession and their service. These bonds forged through shared hardships and experiences, last a lifetime. We sailors remember that we are only caretakers of a proud tradition of service which has been seventy-five years in the making. We work hard to instil that pride in every recruit who comes to Haulbowline. We respect the enormous privilege granted to us in becoming part of this heritage through our service to the state. So, within this new clothing is new technology and new features, which brings us in line with the operational uniforms of the other two branches of the services. Yet it is still a reaffirmation of our unique identity as the principal seagoing agency of the state, as the maritime component of the Óglaigh na hÉireann. or operations may throw at you. So, while the science and policy behind the provision of the NSV DPM is important, the daily practicalities of the new operational dress will be at the forefront of the sailor's mind. The average Able Rating 3 will be awake and in uniform for almost eighteen hours a day while at sea. For most of these waking hours, the majority Woodland DPM vs NSV DPM Petty Officer Patrick Reidy and Able Seaman Karen Casey NSV DPM Trouser Detail Able Rating: All ratings are sailors, but not all sailors are seamen. The use of the word Able is to designate a sailor who is fully qualified in their specialist role. The term comes from Able Bodied or fully fit for duties. Rating is a term used to describe all enlisted sailors who are rated or assigned a specialisation. These ratings include seaman gunners, communications operatives, logistical operatives, mechanicians, artificers etc. 3

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