Temperatures drop but standards don't

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christopher Buzzetta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  With the cold weather here Airmen must be ready to perform safely while wearing the uniform correctly.

Recent changes to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, "Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel," and new directives update the proper wear of the green fleece outer garment, the Physical Training Uniform and the Airman Battle Uniform.

The green fleece outer garment is only worn over the ABU blouse. It should not be worn solely over a T-shirt or as thermal underwear. When worn as an outer garment, name and U.S. Air Force tape should be attached to the chest using Velcro. Rank designation will go above the name. Wear of the fleece as an outer garment without the Velcro attachments is authorized until Oct. 1, 2010. Black or sage green gloves and watch caps, black earmuffs and scarves tucked in may be worn outdoors with the fleece.

The Improved Physical Training Uniform is now available on AAFES store shelves and with it, some new wear instructions. The use of reflective belts, or armbands or both during hours of darkness is required if the PTU does not contain reflective material on both the top and bottom.

"The Air Force PTU policy was a highly-anticipated revision to the ambiguous PT gear guidance," noted 71 Flying Training Wing command chief Chief Master Sgt. M. Kenui Balutski. "Once we began wearing the PT items as a uniform, little could be left to the wearer's imagination and that resulted in a more professional appearance for the entire force."

Additionally, the disparity between home-station and deployed-station wear was immediately erased. "Now, the only differences we'll see in the PTU are installation commander policies that call for specific uniform items at the unit level," Chief Balutski said. "Prior to that, some very imaginative PT gear combinations appeared - and most of them were not good."

Black or dark blue baseball hats with the Air Force symbol or the words "U.S. Air Force" printed on the front of the hat are authorized. Black, dark blue or sage green plain knit watch caps are also authorized. Gloves must be black or dark blue with no logos. Scarf and earmuffs must be black or dark blue.

Cold weather accessories will only be worn outdoors. Shirts are to be tucked into the shorts or pants at all times. Short or full-length solid-black or dark-blue spandex under garments are allowed. Personal grooming standards are the same as in other uniforms except when women secure long hair it may have loose ends.

Here are some general uniform wear items to remember. Proper undergarments with the ABU are either a tan turtleneck or crewneck undershirt, green sleepshirt, or white, cream or tan thermal underwear in ABU. Fleece or sweaters should not be worn under the ABU.

In order to wear a watchcap or cold weather gloves, an approved outer garment is required for all uniform combinations except with the Battle Dress Uniform.
And finally, hands should be in uniform pockets only when inserting or retrieving items. Pockets should not be used to keep hands warm.

"As always, our [Airmen] have a direct voice to the uniform process through the Air Force Virtual Uniform Board," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Tappana, the Air Education and Training Command command chief.

Airmen can submit a uniform change request via the AFVUB Web site at https://ipds.randolph.af.mil.