NORFOLK -- Navy sailors can now wear the new working uniform off base during routine stops and at restaurants.

Before the change, sailors in the uniform couldn't make routine stops at places like child care centers, gas stations or banks. That meant sailors had to deal with two uniforms -- the working uniform required at the work site and a different uniform approved for wear off-base.

“It’s really a huge plus for these kids,” said Command Master Chief Mike Fuston of the Norfolk-based U.S Navy Mid Atlantic Region, which oversees an estimated 83,900 active duty sailors.

Junior sailors agree.

Video: Sailors now wearing working uniforms off base

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ABH3 Carmen Blair Ayala of USS Wasp says the old rules weren’t easy.

“It was kind of hard because we’re used to coming and we want to be able to go outside and just go the gas station or daycare for our kids or the bank, so now it’s a lot better,“ she said.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead expanded the wear policy, which has been in place for six months.

According to the Navy, the change was authorized once it was determined that sailors across the Navy understood the correct manner to wear the uniform.

While sailors at many bases are now wearing the unform, others are not due to distribution constraints, according to the Navy.

WATCH 13NEWS BEGINNING AT 5:00 P.M. FOR REACTION TO THE POLICY.