The United States Air Force has recently updated its uniform policy, as detailed in Air Force Instruction 36-2903, with the primary aim of easing financial burdens on Airmen and enhancing unit cohesion. Announced on January 17th by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, these revisions are a direct response to feedback from Airmen, gathered through initiatives like the Every Dollar Counts campaign and direct suggestions to the uniform survey board. These changes to the “Af Uniform” regulations reflect a commitment to listen to and address the concerns of service members.
Col. Patrick Doherty, Director of Air Force Services, highlighted three key areas driving these policy changes. The first is to strengthen heritage, team building, esprit de corps, and unit pride. The second focus is on recognizing the valuable experiences, qualifications, and job performance of Airmen, allowing them to showcase their achievements through their uniform. Finally, the updates incorporate practical, common-sense suggestions from Airmen in the field, ideas that resonated with senior leadership.
Boosting Morale and Unit Pride with Updated “AF Uniform” Options
One significant update is the authorization of morale T-shirts and patches, designed to foster unit pride. Squadron-specific color T-shirts, previously worn informally, are now officially sanctioned for wear on Fridays. These squadron color T-shirts can be worn with the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) or flight suit while in-garrison or on-station during temporary duty assignments and contingency deployments. To maintain uniformity within a squadron, shirts must be a single color and may feature a small squadron patch over the left chest. Wing Commanders also have the authority to allow personnel from different units to wear the same color T-shirts, further promoting esprit de corps and team building across larger groups. This expansion of “af uniform” options provides a visual representation of unit solidarity.
This extends to support personnel as well. For instance, maintainers, life support staff, and flight doctors are now permitted to wear the color T-shirt of the flying squadron they support, strengthening the bond between flying and support operations. Furthermore, the updated policy permits the wear of morale patches and nametags with tasteful nicknames or call signs on flight suits on Fridays while in-garrison. Unit commanders retain approval authority over morale patches and nametag naming conventions, ensuring appropriateness and maintaining standards within the “af uniform” guidelines.
Recognizing Airmen’s Achievements Through “AF Uniform” Badges
Another notable change is the renewed authorization for Airmen to wear earned Air Force and other services’ badges on their “af uniform”. While the command insignia pin remains mandatory, the policy now permits the wear of qualification badges and various patches on ABUs. This reverses a previous restriction and eliminates the need for Airmen to remove and replace badges when deploying or undergoing a permanent change of duty station. This change acknowledges the desire of Airmen to display their earned qualifications and experiences on their daily “af uniform”.
The shift towards increased in-garrison wear of the ABU is a key factor in this decision. The Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP), used in Afghanistan, offers flame retardant and insect repellent properties and is also utilized by the Army. As the ABU increasingly becomes the standard in-garrison uniform, allowing the wear of badges on the ABU aligns with Airmen’s desires to showcase their achievements and command affiliation on their “af uniform”. A comprehensive list and examples of newly approved badges for wear on the ABU are detailed in attachment five of AFI 36-2903.
Further Updates to the “AF Uniform” and Appearance Policy
Beyond morale and badges, the updated “af uniform” policy includes revisions to the physical training (PT) uniform and cell phone regulations. The Air Force PT uniform now has removed color restrictions for athletic shoes, offering Airmen greater flexibility in their footwear choices. Additionally, Airmen are now authorized to wear black socks with their athletic shoes as part of their PT “af uniform”.
In a minor but practical update, cell phones no longer need to be black. Airmen can use cell phones of any color, provided they are not worn visibly on the uniform or attached to a purse. This acknowledges the evolving technology landscape and provides Airmen with more personal choice within the boundaries of professional appearance.
Airmen’s Voices Shape “AF Uniform” Policy
Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, emphasized that these changes are a direct result of feedback from the field and major commands. He stated, “The changes are the result of months of the Chief of Staff listening to what Airmen had to say about ABUs and other uniform wear policies.” This underscores the Air Force’s commitment to responsiveness and incorporating the perspectives of Airmen in shaping “af uniform” policy.
Airmen can anticipate the availability of optional badges on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) website by mid-July to early August. The commander’s insignia pin will become mandatory once the cloth pins are available for purchase at AAFES. These updates to the “af uniform” policy are designed to be both practical and morale-boosting, reflecting the Air Force’s dedication to its personnel.
