Air Force officials launch new uniform website

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Air Force officials launch new uniform website

Posted 7/14/2010

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by Staff Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

7/14/2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials launched a new public website this month to help educate and inform Airmen about the service's dress and appearance standards and policies.

Air Force Directorate of Service's Uniforms and Recognition Branch officials, in conjunction with officials from the Air Force Personnel Center and several other agencies, created the website that features interactive slideshows, uniform regulations, detailed photos and uniform policy updates from the Air Force Uniform Board.

The new website was developed to be a comprehensive online resource that is available 24/7 for Airmen stationed around the world, said Ruth Ewalt, the Air Force Uniforms and Recognition Branch director.

"We wanted to create a place where all Airmen can view any uniform combination in detail," Mrs. Ewalt said. "This eliminates confusing rumors about the latest versions of Air Force uniforms."

Airmen also wanted an uncomplicated website that was user friendly and did not require excessive navigation to find information about different combinations of the Air Force uniform, Mrs. Ewalt said.

"We needed a website that would not take more than two or three clicks of the mouse to get an answer to a uniform inquiry," she said.

Having this information on a public website ensures uniform changes and updates are readily available to the field, rather than waiting for updates to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, which is being revised.

"The information will be updated quicker and more effectively," she said.

Putting the website in the public domain allows users to access it without their common access card, which is helpful for Airmen researching uniform information from computers or smart phones off the military network.

While the new site will be a valuable resource, Airmen should continue to work through their chain of command for clarification and guidance on Air Force dress and appearance standards and policies.

For more information, visit the Air Force Dress and Appearance public website at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/dress/index.asp.

Comments

2/14/2013 8:25:43 AM ET
I've taken a survey on the ABU pants and have found the elastic in the waist is ridiculously tight. I have a small waist and still have to go up two sizes just to get a comfortable fit. If not my pants ride up all day.

C. Pettigrew, Macdill AFB FL

4/26/2012 2:39:43 AM ET
I have USAF Medics assigned to my clinic. They all have OCPs, but some of them do not want to wear our unit patch. I can't seem to find anything in AF regs that states what Airmen have to wear when they wear an army uniform assigned to an army unit. I would think a E9 directing they wear our insignia is enough, but airmen seem to want to question every little thing.

CPT Green, Bagram AFG

10/14/2011 12:41:42 PM ET
Can anyone give me a good reason the green fleece can't or shouldn't be authorized with a flight suit

eugene gallant, Bagram

4/9/2011 10:05:39 AM ET
Was wondering if anyone could tell me why the Air force would send a select group of Airman, for example TACPs, to war with their Army counterparts just to strip them of things they have earned. The new ABUs do not support the wear of combat patches, CAB or Ranger tabs. We have earned every one of these things and don't feel we are better than Airman that don't have them, but it is a smack in the face to have to take them off. We are the ground pounders of the Air Force and are well respected Liaisons to the Army because of what we bring to the fight. and our personal accomplishments. Wearing combat patches, Ranger tabs and CABs allow us to showcase our accomplishments and sacrifices in garrison. We believe we also aid in Air Force recruitment by being walking recruiting posters for an already critically undermanned career field. Make no mistake, we are proud to be Airmen, but we should be recognized and acknowledged for our ground pounding roots as well.

SSgt Terral Leak, Afganistan

2/7/2011 4:31:54 PM ET
Is there a website that shows u how wear your uniform properly?

cadet airman, il

7/22/2010 7:32:01 PM ET
And although I agree it's nice to have a site at my fingertips that is not as dry as sifting through an AFI - there are too many errors on this site. The PTU and IPTU- they have a dozen pictures on how to wear it but I had to read the AFI and confirm with my Shirt to ensure I understood the female hair rules. After all it's a uniform now. . . hair standards apply. BUT you wouldn't know it by looking at the new website. Hair standards are not once mentioned on any female PTU/IPTU page.

sj, AK

7/21/2010 2:01:27 PM ET
I don't think it is about enforcement of regulations or ability to access the AFI so much as integrating the information to an easily accessable place online since everything is online these days. I think the AF wants to highlight their abilities in the cyber world while putting out valuable information that applies to every person in the Air Force. I am in agreement that yes a person could easily access the AFI as well, but also in the fact that the AFI is not always the most current and this site should keep things more up-to-date.

Robin, TN

7/19/2010 3:47:31 PM ET
While I applaud officials for trying to establish a single source for information about uniforms and their proper wear I must also admit that I believe theyve missed the boat when it comes to updating AFI 36-2903. Putting in the effort to properly revise and organize this AFI could do much to eliminate confusion. The last substantial effort to update the AFI appears to have taken place in 2006. Since then changes and updates to the AFI have successfully incorporated some of the latest approved uniform changes like providing guidance on the wear of the sage green fleece. At the same time officials have ignored the need to include other changes like even the most basic instructions on the wear of the ABU. Although Airmen may be led to believe all of the rules for the wear of BDU also apply to the ABUs they do not. Nowhere does the AFI discuss the requirement for sage green boots or rules against unit patches and baseball caps with the ABU.

Maj F., Pentagon

7/19/2010 8:14:44 AM ET
After looking at the web site I can say that it might make things a bit easier, but the 36-2903 is still the best place to start. I'm just wondering where is the Flight Suit under the uniform information tab? Should pilots and aircrew not be held to standards?

Gill, Aviano AB Italy

7/16/2010 5:55:44 AM ET
I think the website is a good idea primarily because epubs and the AFI can't keep up with the avalanche of changes as the Air Force can't seem to make a firm decision on much these days. There are so many announcements about uniform changes, it's ridiculous. I'm sure we all remember the fiascos surrounding blousing vs tucking and the fleece garment just to name two. I think it's a decent idea but it's a sad reflection on the state of the Air Force.

Sgt Peanut, AFDW

7/16/2010 2:13:54 AM ET
This site provides information that DOES NOT match AFI 36-2903. Please refer to the reg as the guidance for uniform combinations is misleading. It says that tie tab is not mandatory for the long sleeve princess cut shirts. That is wrong. Tie tabs are mandatory will all long sleeve shirts. Instead of talking about how great a site is make sure the information is accurate. The last thing I need is an Airman trying to tell me that the photo on a website is more accurate than the AFI he didn't read.

Leigh, Ramstein AB Germany

7/15/2010 4:36:39 PM ET
Yes we need a website because in case you all haven't attempted to find the most current guidance, it's darn near impossible. The AFI regarding ABU's isn't even on AF PUBS. BTW Sgt Grever: Could we get a contact link on this page so we can point out mistakes? I can't figure out how to wear the belt on ABU Maternity pants since they have no beltloops. Point being, if this is wrong how much more of that section was just cut and pasted and might be wrong?

Sgt A, Lr AFB

7/15/2010 3:08:59 PM ET
If anyone took a moment to read 36-2903 they would see that some pictures referenced need to be retrieved from the portal. I was in a bind one evening when I was looking for a picture of mess dress to make sure I was straight. I figured no big deal I can read the AFI from home. Did that and found that it directed me to AFPC then to the portal which became this infinite loop with no result. Called the contact center and the stated it was an issue and actually had the nerve to say google it With this in mind this is a solution to a problem I am happy to see.

V, TX

7/15/2010 2:46:10 PM ET
Thanks for the fresh air TC. It seems there's no right answer with some people -- utter the word uniform and they're already mad. SSgt. Grever explained that there's nothing negative here, just more resources for airmen with enough to worry about. I see that as a pretty big positive.

tr, ok

7/15/2010 2:30:26 PM ET
How is this a poor use of manpower or funds? The thing is a useful tool created on an internal AFPC site board that was ALREADY THERE to be utilized and probably completed by personnel whose job it is to monitor said internal sites anyways i.e. webmasters. Knee-jerk reactions seem to be the norm nowadays...at least understand how useful something that can be consistently updated for ahem a cheaper cost than updating the paper AFI can be before you go all Luddite about it.

Not-as-Jaded, NM

7/15/2010 2:16:57 PM ET
Did anyone notice the site authorizes the tan boot with BDU's? Boots will be black leather or suede tan

JR, Alaska

7/15/2010 11:51:36 AM ET
If you want to raise cain and talk about waste of funds leave our military active and reserves alone. Start at the top of the Federal civilian chain of command and work down to AMARG this will keep you busy and allow our troops not to be hasseled needlessly use your Freedom rights in November and change the people you think are not working for you if even half of the voting public exercised their rights we would be far better off but they don't and prefer to not put their words into a God given right of Freedom VOTE in November

Mike Solon, West Chester Ohio

7/15/2010 11:41:41 AM ET
It is a useful tool for a easy reference. Why do people need to cry about everything? If it helps people meet the standard why complain about it.

SSgt. TC, Hill AFB

7/15/2010 11:24:28 AM ET
Jerry OK is correct. Supervisors aren't enforcing standards because they are also breaking them themselves. What's even worse is that when new policy gets passed down from the top it seldom reaches the lowest Airman until he's getting screamed at. Mid-tier leadership gets a lot of guidance from MAJCOM via email which is easily deleted overlooked or ignored. Face to face policy updates from top to bottom would go a long way in cementing new/revised standards.

TSgt John McCoy, NAVEODTECHDIV

7/15/2010 11:09:31 AM ET
As part of our efforts to be transparent about the use of taxpayer dollars the Air Force Personnel Center's public affairs webmasters built the entire site using internal resources. Further our leadership determined a supplemental resource could help Airmen better understand the Air Forces dress and appearance standards and policies which was the intent behind creating an interactive site. This website doesnt take the place of the AFI. In fact all of the interactive uniform slideshows contain text taken directly from the AFI.

Staff Sgt. Steve Grever, AFPC Public Affairs

7/15/2010 10:31:24 AM ET
It says ...view any uniform combination in detail. Does that mean we get to view a blue tinted ABU top with green tinted ABU pants?

SSgt Smith, RAF Mildenhall

7/15/2010 10:28:51 AM ET
Airmen should just be glad they aren't in the Navy with all the different uniform combinations they have to deal with. When was the last time your unit had a uniform inspection ? This site was created because supervisors and commanders aren't enforcing standards.

Jerry, Oklahoma

7/15/2010 10:07:22 AM ET
While I see where Tuna is coming from, I also think it is nice to have pictures and diagrams rather than just text describing how we are to wear the uniform. It also provides for easy updates unlike the AFI. Hopefully some of the not-so-neatly dressed Airmen that I have observed will take advantage of this website and learn something from it.

Jesse, Melbourne

7/15/2010 9:39:27 AM ET
Tuna - I don't see how this circumvents the use of the AFI - the link to the AFI is actually on the site. If anything this consolidates all of the information.

A. Robinson, Virginia

7/15/2010 9:07:37 AM ET
I think they call this Lead by Electronis. Something I hear all the time that we should not be doing. Stop wasting my tax dollars. If you're in the Air Force, then you can read the AFI.

T, OKC

7/15/2010 7:57:43 AM ET
It doesn't circumvent reading the AFI, rather this delays having to completely re-hash the AFI for the new uniform and its options. The AFI is fairly outdated, and reading it leaves one with more questions than answers.

ScenicRte, MI

7/15/2010 7:46:09 AM ET
No it won't circumvent the user reading the AFI. It takes manpower away from updating the AFI. Get it right.

Terrey, Langley

7/15/2010 7:30:49 AM ET
This article validates the concerns over the last several years with all the FREQUENT uniform changes Leadership wonders why AFI 36-2903 violations continue on a daily basis and folks just walk by. We can't keep up with all the changes, and if you aren't one hundred percent sure if something isn't being worn correctly, then my guess is you'll walk by too. Oh, and why harp on mirrored sunglasses if you can walk and talk on a cell phone? Get real.

B, USA

7/15/2010 7:30:42 AM ET
If this website will help Airmen to wear the uniform correctly I think it is a positive addition to the resources available. AFIs do not always reflect the most up-to-date policies and they can be hard to decipher. Many Airmen make mistakes simply out of confusion-- it's not always about ignorance or laziness.

Meredith Kirchoff, Defense Information School

7/15/2010 12:55:28 AM ET
Look on the bright side...we now have a means to keep up with the AF's seemingly weekly uniform changes. And as a half-facetious suggestion why don't we turn it into a Wiki-type site Each person could then then post their own interpretations of uniform rules. Happens in the real world anyhow. Could be the Web 2.0 way of saving money increasing service-wide cooperation and getting rid of the Uniform Board...

Stormy, CA

7/14/2010 10:11:13 PM ET
Tuna, as frequently as Air Force uniform regulations seem to change -- no tattoos on the saluting hand. Wait...never mind. Can't blouse your ABU legs ... just kidding -- a website to detail what the uniform regs dictate on any given day is invaluable.

PB, US

7/14/2010 10:06:45 PM ET
Seriously...we need a website to teach Airman how to wear the uniform? Why, with today's economy and our own shrinking budget, would we spend the money on such a useless tool. Technology is great. It can be used for many wonderful things; however, this isn't one of them. We're all taught to wear the uniform in basic, OTS, ROTC, USAFA, etc. Emphasizing uniform wear and enforcing uniform standards is the responsibility of every supervisor, and that doesnt cost us a dime.

JN, WPAFB

7/14/2010 9:17:40 PM ET
As far as uniform boards....Why can we walk and talk on cell phones but heaven forbid we get caught eating/drinking while walking? Walking and talking on cell phone is definitely unprofessional. I understand personnel that require constant comm like CC/Shirts, but does Airman Snuffy have to get last nights gossip on the fly?

Rich, NM

7/14/2010 6:29:40 PM ET
Agree with Tuna. Amazing... I thought we already had a uniform website - it's called e-Publishing - AFI 36-2903.I guess this reflects our growing need for instant distilled information... no one's willing to do the legwork to read regs anymore, or perhaps they're incapable of critical thinking or just plain lazy. Hey, why dont we just replace all AFIs with an on-line Wiki? What's next? A Customs and Courtesies website to show members how/when to salute? How about a Drill and Ceremonies website where you can create a virtual formation that tells you how to march and when to turn?

Check please, Colorado Springs

7/14/2010 4:54:18 PM ET
So let me get this straight. We need a website that's available 24/7 to circumvent the use actually READING the AFI Great use of funds. Great. Use. Of. Funds.

Tuna, OKC

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