Navy Plans to Phase out Iconic Pea Coat

The change was announced in August, 2016, that, beginning in 2019, the Pea Coat and All-Weather Coat would be eliminated from sea bags. Starting 1 October 2018, the black Cold Weather Parka (CWP) would begin transition as the standard Navy outerwear worn with service and service dress uniforms and issued as a sea bag item for recruits and new accessions. The CWP will become a mandatory sea bag requirement for all sailors on 1 October 2020.

The announced change has the U.S. wool fiber, yarn, fabric, and apparel industry deeply concerned.

The impacted US Pea Coat supply chain:

• Northwest Woolen Mills(RI): Fabric Provider
• Sterlingwear of Boston(Mass): Prime vendor and Pea coat manufacturer.
• American Woolen Mills (Conn): Woolen Fabric Manufacturers
• GH Littlewood(PA) : Wool Dyers
• Chargeur Wool: (SC): Raw wool Providers

Questions and Concerns regarding the impending phase out of the Pea Coat.

• Did the Navy do an industry impact study?
• Did they factor in the future increase cost of other wool items due to the reduction of the textile supply chain?
• Did they factor in that some other wool military items may be impacted regarding availability and capacity.
• Are they aware that the Pea Coat is a small Business Set Aside and the Parka manufacturer is Located in Puerto Rico and is not a small business?
• Is the Parka Flame Retardant?

Note: The parka that they want to replace the pea cock with is made of 100% Nylon with a Gortex lining. This material will melt onto the skin if exposed to high temperature or direct fire. If it will not ignite , it will melt.

Call me a traditionalist, but I can't imagine the Navy without the Navy pea coat.