AF Uniform changes announced

Published Oct. 5, 2009
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The 98th Air Force Virtual Uniform Board convened in 2008. Voting members included Airmen from all Air Force major commands and most functional communities. There were a number of approved uniform changes:

Dress (blue) Uniform

1. Eliminate wear of the metal rank by enlisted Airmen on the light weight blue jacket; rank must be worn using only the chevron rank insignia sewn on the sleeves -- Effective no later than Jan. 1, 2010.

Pullover Sweater wear policy

1. CSAF approved wear of the new 50% acrylic, 50% wool pullover, v-neck sweater. The initial distribution of the 50/50 pullover sweater included a velcro aircrew style name patch - the name patch has been removed. Airmen who purchased the 50/50 pullover sweater with the name patch can take it to any AAFES MCSS alternations to have it removed at no charge. Phase-out date for the 100% wool pullover sweater is 1 OCT 2010.4.

Utility Uniform (applies to the Airman Battle Uniform, Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Combat Uniform)

1. Trousers must be tucked into boots and present a bloused appearance at all times -- Effective Oct. 1, 2010.

2. Tuck in boot laces; excess boot laces may be wrapped around the boot and tucked in. No "bowtie" boot laces -- Effective immediately.

3. MAJCOMS are authorized to approve the wear of black boots with the ABU only in industrial areas -- Effective Feb. 13, 2009.

4. Eliminate authority to attach organizational cap to BDU trouser -- Effective immediately.

5. Upper sleeve pocket approved for fire resistant ABUs authorized for, and worn only in, the area of responsibility.

6. The 100% cotton ABU is not a "summer weight" version or "light weight" alternative for the 50% cotton, 50% nylon ABU. The 100% cotton ABU is a distinctive uniform item developed and authorized specifically for Airmen in jobs that have occupational safety and health administration requirements for wear.

Accoutrements

1. Authorize Airmen meeting the criteria for, and awarded the U.S. Army Parachute Riggers Badge permanent wear of the badge on all authorized uniform combinations. When wearing the riggers badge on the ABU or BDU, the subdued badge will be blue, not black. When wearing the subdued badge on the DCU, the badge will be brown.

2. Authorize permanent wear of black U.S. Army Air Assault Badge on the BDU, regardless of duty assignment, upon graduation from air assault school.

3. Authorize wear of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations duty badge on the service dress uniform and subdued cloth duty badge on the ABU.

Miscellaneous

1. Authorize the use of personal cellular phones while walking in uniform. Cellular phones must be conservative in color. The wear of hands free devices while walking in uniform is prohibited. A cell phone may be worn on either the left or right side of uniform. Military customs and courtesies apply and take precedence.

2. For approved uniform and design changes, wear guidance and effective dates will be provided in supplemental messages. No action required by members at this time:

- Wear of foliage green fleeces as an outer garment with ABU

- A fleece liner with the ability to zip into the APECs

- Increase length of lower leg pocket on ABU trouser 1/2 inch

- Change female ABU trouser fly button's to mirror males

- Add small ABU name tape with last name to pocket flap on all-purpose environmental clothing system (APECs) left sleeve

- Alter ABU sleeve pen pocket 1/2 inch to prevent breaking writing utensils or punctures while bending arm

- Revise current pt gear wear guidance to reflect a more professional image. Make standards more in line with the intent of the uniform

- Authorize an addition of side buttons that unfold a small portion of the maternity ABU trouser.

The following are deferred items and items that board recommended approval, but require further research and development. If any item is later approved by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, wear guidance and effective dates will be provided in supplemental messages; no action required by members at this time:

Utility Uniform

1. Wear of green crew neck sweater similar to Marine Corps under the ABU

Maternity Uniform

1. Adjust maternity ABU to mirror regular pocket placement

Accoutrements

1. Officers assigned to command and control (c2) nodes to wear the c2 badge if approved for award by the functional authority

For more information please read: www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123153981