December 12,2008: The Australian Navy is issuing a new work uniform (AUSCAM, for Australian camouflage) to sailors. It looks like the camouflage type pattern combat uniforms soldiers wear, except that the camo pattern is mostly grey, black and green splotches. From a camouflage point of view, it won't hide anyone. But that's not the point. The navy developed the new uniform so that sailors would have a distinctive, and more comfortable, work uniform. It makes a statement, along the lines of, "we're sailors from Oz, and we're cool." Testing has shown that the uniform is more comfortable, and cooler to wear in tropical climates (where Australian sailors frequently operate.) The uniform it replaces was basically a set of grey overalls. Not very distinctive at all.

The white uniform, often worn by sailors working in offices, will still be used.