Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility

Natick, MA: Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Brochure. Good. Single sheet, approximately 8 inches by 8.5 inches, folded in half, resulting in four panels. Illustrations. Map. Item has some wear and soiling. NCTRF's focus is to test fabrics for fire and heat resistance, water immersion and buoyancy, heat and cold stress, ballistic protection, and uniform design and development. With an experienced staff as well as unique testing equipment and facilities, NCTRF can quickly move a concept from the drawing board to the production line. A team of textile technologists, clothing designers, physiologists and other scientific experts are all involved in conducting research, design, development, improvement and user assessment studies of protective garments and equipment. Depending upon needs, commercial off-the-shelf products are evaluated or unique military products are developed for use in the Navy shipboard environment. . NCTRF's technical teams conduct wear/fit tests, determine appropriate sizing systems for uniforms and support a continuous quality assurance program. Historically, uniforms have been the product of a Sailor's environment: physically, geographically and technically. Uniforms provided protection against the elements and created distinction among specialists in a growing Navy. Foremost, however, was an element of simplicity in providing a uniform that would not interfere with the Sailor's job. The Navy uniform is designed and manufactured with safety in mind. The long sleeves and high securable collars protect against heat and flash; the shoes and boots are non-slip, non-FOD, and have steel toes; the designs of the clothing utilize simple, tailored patterns for working in close proximity to machinery and to allow for mobility; and the seams are stitched for strength and durability. Adequate testing of both material and finished uniform is essential to assure functionality, comfort and compatibility of shipboard uniforms. Physical testing of the material assures the key survivability characteristics are present and wear testing assures that the uniforms perform properly.