The colors of the NWU Type I, according to the U.S. Navy, were intended to reflect the navy's heritage and connection to seaborne operations, while hiding wear and stains, something unavoidable with the utilities and working khakis used previously. The colors were chosen to match the most commonly used paint colors aboard ship, extending the lifetime of the uniform on long deployments where uniforms often come into contact with freshly painted surfaces. An anchor, USS "Constitution", and eagle (ACE) emblem is embroidered on the left breast pocket on all Type I NWUs. Accessories included a navy blue cotton T-shirt, an eight-point utility cover, and a web belt with closed buckle. The uniform was worn with rank insignia on both collar points and on the front panel of the utility cover, with sew-on name and "U.S. NAVY" tapes, also on the new digital background pattern, having gold-colored lettering for officers, CPOs and midshipmen. All ranks below CPO wore silver-lettered name tapes. The NWU Type I was phased into service beginning in January 2009., but was phased out as of 1 October 2019.