Background

Historically, uniforms have been the product of a team’s environment: physical, geographical and technical. Uniforms were provided for protection against the elements or to create distinction among specialists in a field environment. Foremost, however, was an element of simplicity providing a uniform that would not interfere with the team member’s everyday tasks and identify members within a specific discipline.

These procedures define the composition of authorized uniforms. NDMS uniforms are distinctive visual evidence of the authority and responsibility vested in their wearer by the DHHS/ASPR. The prescribing authority determines when and where the uniforms in this instruction are appropriate for wear. Uniforms and components shall be worn as described in this instruction. NDMS personnel must present a proud and professional appearance that will reflect positively on the individual, NDMS, and DHHS/ASPR.

When directed or authorized, the NDMS uniform is to be worn by a team member during activations for all field deployments. The uniform may also be used during field training, exercises or other official NDMS functions when authorized by the NDMS Director or the Director’s designee.

1.7 Responsibilities

NDMS Division Headquarters:

a. All NDMS uniforms will be ordered through the NDMS Division with approved team funding, using the appropriate ordering forms and procedures.

b. All NDMS uniform apparel and insignias will be approved by the NDMS Director.

Team Commanders:

a. Team Commanders must ensure that all uniforms are appropriately labeled as prescribed in this instruction and are worn in a safe and appropriate manner.

Team Members:

a. Routine care of washing, dry cleaning, alterations, and repairs are the member's responsibility. Any unusual wear and tear, damage, or loss of various articles may result in out-of-pocket costs.

b. Replacement of uniform items that are destroyed during unusual conditions while assigned to field operations shall be documented and brought to the attention of the team commander for replacement.

c. Team members may purchase additional uniforms and insignias, with personal funding, through the NDMS Division, when approved by their team leaders.

1.8 Uniform Issuance

a. Initial entry with an NDMS team, per member:

    Prescribed Item Issue and Number Issued

• - Blouse, w/Patches,  6 ea.
  
• - Trousers,  6 ea.
  
• - Belts, 1 ea.
  

b. Annual Requirement with an NDMS team, per member. The annual uniform requirements per member will be based on the availability of funds.

1.9 Composition of NDMS DMAT Uniforms

a. All NDMS DMAT uniforms will consist of khaki or blue blouse (shirt), with same color pants. A NDMS DMAT can select either khaki or blue uniform, but the entire team must be of the same selected color when deployed as a team. This may be based on climate or other environmental factors or conditions.

b. NDMS authorized and approved tee shirt(s) may be worn underneath the uniform blouse.

c. Socks (color optional).

d. Safety shoes that meet OSHA Standards (recommended) or boots, black in color and appropriate for disaster areas.

e. A belt 1 ¼ inches web or woven elastic/nylon of black color with a black tip.

f. The belt buckle is black open-faced or military designed matte finish.

g. Additional optional clothing articles that may be worn include a baseball hat, with approved logo; outer covering to include coats, raincoats or poncho; and gloves.

h. The wearing of medical scrubs by NDMS medical personnel during medical field operations will be approved by the NDMS Team Leader or Team Operations Chief on site.

 The following is a description of how the Battle Dress Uniform should be cared for and worn. This is extracted from military information but it has good application to DMAT teams as well.

Wear of the BDU Cap:
The BDU cap is worn straight on the head so that the cap band creates a straight line around the head parallel to the ground. A good way to accomplish this is to place two (2) fingers vertically along the ridge of the nose, and pull the cap down to the fingers. Make sure that your cap fits correctly, and go back and trade it in if it is too big. BDU caps are not like baseball hats. You don't want it to be big enough to go really far down over your head.

BDU Shirt:
The BDU shirt should be at least pressed off, if not also starched. To press the arms, lay the arm front side down and make sure that the whole seam (along the bottom edge of the sleeve) is facing you (do the left sleeve first, making sure the patch is on the front side of the sleeve when you press it). Then just press the whole sleeve, making sure you don't crease any wrinkles. Flip the shirt over and press the front of the sleeve then. Repeat with the other sleeve.

Then (with the shirt unbuttoned) take the left front, spread it on the board, and press it down, making sure that the pockets are folded properly (the billows should all be tucked in neatly) and buttoned. The collar should be turned down between the top and 2nd buttons (remember, the shirt is worn with all but the top button buttoned). Press the collar down. Repeat with the other front panel. Then just quickly press of the back, to get rid of any major wrinkles.

BDU Trousers:
The trousers are easy to press. Simply take one leg, and crease it at the front and back of the knee. When you lay the creased leg flat, the cargo pocket should be centered on the leg facing up at you. Then, making sure the cargo pocket is buttoned, press the leg from just above the cargo pocket, to just above the cuff. Repeat with the other leg.

Wear of the BDU Uniform:
When you put on the uniform, you wear a T-shirt, and appropriate undergarments. For the trousers, tie off the cuff just above your ankle bones and put your boots on. The trouser may remain down around your ankle, tucked into the boots. Tie the boots by first wrapping the laces around the top right-to-left and left-to-right, tie like regular shoes, and then stuff the loose laces into the top of the boot.

To roll the sleeves on the shirt, lay it out on your bed (or other similar flat surface) and turn the sleeves inside out, with the inside out cuff almost reaching the armpit. Then go to the lowest point of the now inside out sleeve, and roll it in 2-3 inch rolls neatly up to the cuff. Then fold the cuff down over the rolled sleeve, exposing the camo pattern. Button the tab on the cuff to hold the roll.

The black issue web belt and black open faced buckle is worn with the trousers. The buckle's right edge is parallel and online with the outer edge of the fly. The tip of the belt should not extend more than two inches past the edge of the buckle.