Air Force releases updated dress and appearance instructions

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Air Force releases updated dress and appearance instructions

Posted 7/18/2011

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by Eric M. Grill
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

7/18/2011 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force's instruction on dress and personal appearance recently received an appearance upgrade with the release of the updated instruction July 18.

Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance, received the facelift after several years of interim updates as uniform items were introduced and phased out.

The last revision to the AFI was in 2006, prior to the release of the Airman Battle Uniform, which replaces the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform Nov. 1, 2011.

Most of the changes to the AFI are more about mechanics and clarification than new policy, said Ruth Ewalt, the Air Force Uniform Programs and Policies chief at the Air Staff. They are intended to make the AFI more user-friendly.

"The changes are a result of Airmen in the field requesting clarification, leadership approving more specific policy, and the need to integrate information from the 98th virtual uniform board and other wear policy approved since 2006," Ewalt said. "We added the ABU, green fleece, and physical fitness uniform information not in the previous AFI and corrected instances of conflicting information."

For clarity and ease of reading, the chapters were rearranged and sections were made inclusive to eliminate turning back and forth to configure a single uniform, she said. The difference in the old and new AFI is that the tables are now integrated into the text. Each uniform has its own section, starting with the most formal through the utility, PT, and distinctive uniforms.

One thing Airmen might notice is the amount of pictures incorporated into the revised AFI.

"Individuals learn and retain information differently," Ewalt said. "For some, a photo is a better tool than volumes of text or audio. We wanted to make this AFI as 'user-friendly' as possible. It covers every Airman -- from the first-day recruit in Basic Military Training to the 30-plus-year career Airman."

Sections are also inclusive, listing all items that may and must be worn with each particular uniform with the exception of outer garments which are covered in their own section.

The first three chapters cover the basic philosophy, appropriate circumstances to wear uniform items, how and where to purchase them, roles and responsibilities, and grooming and appearance standards.

Chapters four through seven cover uniforms worn and maintained by all Air Force members: dress, utility, and physical training uniforms. Chapters four and five include the dress and utility uniforms. Chapter six explains outer garments, headgear, rank insignia and accessories, and chapter seven covers the physical training uniform.

The remaining chapters "customize" the uniforms of unique populations and discuss badges, awards and decorations unique to individual Airmen.

The final chapter contains instructions for recommending changes to dress and personal appearance policy or uniform designs.

The revised AFI also added a tattoo measurement tool to standardize the process for Airmen and commanders to determine if a tattoo meets standards.

"There is also a form to document tattoos that are borderline excessive or require a commander-approved waiver," Ewalt said. "The policy regarding what constitutes an excessive tattoo has not changed. The standard is still not more than 25 percent of the exposed body part."

The revision involved input from individuals of all ranks and components of the Air Force, including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members.

"This three-year effort included Airmen from all walks of Air Force life, ... (including military) training instructors, recruits, recruiters, first sergeants and Air Force leadership from all levels, professional military education instructors, functional communities, and support organizations to name a few," Ewalt said. "This Air Force instruction was influenced by a huge population of Air Force service members because it impacts the total force."

For online dress and appearance information, go to the dress and appearance webpage on the Air Force Personnel Center's website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/dress/index.asp.

For more information about personnel issues, visit the Air Force personnel services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.

Comments

7/26/2011 11:27:02 AM ET
First off, I wonder why the Air Force Times never bothered to publish any fliers' opinions on the matter of Friday shirts or moral patches? Agenda, anyone? Second, while it won't keep me up at night, the banning of Friday shirts and morale patches effectively snuffs out some of the traditions that have been present in the flying community for some time. While I understand that those who are not aircrew have a beef with fliers in general, it amazes me that Air Force personnel have regressed to the days of grade school where little Timmy is screaming at the top of Not Fair at the slightest transgression. Be proud of what you do for a living and fight for your traditions. If you desire to do or be something else, do something about it and quit worrying about what your neighbor is doing in their house.

AintNoSaint, CONUS

7/22/2011 6:45:14 AM ET
Section 6: Wheel Cap is now mandatory for all Majors and above, male and female. No issue with this... Just a major change when they stated no other major changes. I expect this to be repealed only after wheel caps for service dress have been bought by members.

T, Europe

7/20/2011 12:06:24 AM ET
If pilots can wear green PJ's around base and to fly in why can't mechanics wear coveralls as a uniform outside the line, if we can keep noners from trying to call it unfair and go shave your legs? HAHA.....I want dreads MON' RUDE BOY BUMBA CLOCK

ShabbaDuece, OsanAB

7/19/2011 6:58:20 PM ET
@ B34k3r: True, but I'm with CP as to ambiguity of continued wear of black boots with service dress. It's unclear if this will continue since on page 179 black boots are to be phased out on 1 Nov, period. The paragraphs you reference don't indicate a phase out period like they do for the flight suit. It is ambiguous. Maybe we can now wear sage boots with the service dress LOL

I.M. Dunn, OCONUS

7/19/2011 6:51:32 PM ET
So according to para 10.5.1.2, the SSgt featured on the most recent cover of Airman magazine, along with every other Airman who has attended the course will only get to wear his hard-earned Ranger tab until November? I'll bet they are furious and rightfully so.

AGE SSgt, Eglin AFB

7/19/2011 3:24:16 PM ET
Nothing better than more great changes for no reason whatsoever. Thanks Sincerly Another SSgt with low morale due to being over worked and under paid. Oh yeah... and leave it to an MTL to brown nose and say great work. I wonder how she got her assignment.

AGE Dude, Whiteman

7/19/2011 2:43:33 PM ET
Did anyone else see the part about Cyberspace badges being mandatory? I assume they meant the officers' badge. But the way it reads, all enlisted 3DXXX will be required to wear their badge.

CSH, Georgia

7/19/2011 2:36:21 PM ET
Sounds good for this year. Next year it will change at a cost of millions of dollars. Not sure who is in charge anymore but it takes me back to the McPeep days, put it on, take it off and put it back on.

Retired Col, Ohio

7/19/2011 2:25:25 PM ET
CP The instruction is very clear on the wear of boots with the service dress uniform. See paragraphs 6.4.1.6 and 6.4.2.9.

B34k3r, CONUS

7/19/2011 2:05:33 PM ET
Yes, the timing of the fielding of the revised AFI is poor but it is not deliberate. Those out there who have ever coordinated a publication know how long it takes and what a bureaucratic parochial process it is. The intent was to field a revised and comprehensive AFI months ago but the process brought us to this rollout date so close to when many uniform items will be phased out. Be sure a change for November is in the works right now with the intent to rescind the non-applicable chapters at the applicable time. We shall see. Yes, we really are that slow and indecisive here even for a mundane thing such as a uniform instruction. To all those in the field who lament their jobs, most of us here would gladly trade with you any day.

Just Another Staff Officer, The Pentagon

7/19/2011 1:58:59 PM ET
@Junior...I noticed this as well. I see this all over the place from GOs to CCMs. I guess blues day isn't working out so well at AFPC.

JB, Germany

7/19/2011 1:38:39 PM ET
If not being able to wear colored t-shirts and funny patches is what keeps you up at night, you have bigger issues. Do you really wake up and say, "I sure feel down today; oh wait. I get to wear my blue shirt under my flight suit. I feel so much better." Is it really going to drop morale that much if you have to wear a U.S. Flag instead of a cartoon character on your sleeve? Be happy you don't have to pay for uniforms like everyone who isn't aircrew. Also the mandatory wear date for ABUs has already slipped two years so they probably left the BDUs in there in case it slips again. Was first supposed to be mandatory in Oct 2009. BTW...now we have to worry about the multi-cam's, so those memos will just take place of the ABUs. The confusion will never end.

SW, OK

7/19/2011 1:28:26 PM ET
So 3.1.4 now requires me to shave my legs. I guess I will be asking my doc for a shaving waiver like the males. Also who will enforce this new standard...cue harassment charges.

AF Female, Pentagon

7/19/2011 12:43:05 PM ET
I agree with AMMO-1 at Hill AFB. There should also be a dress code for Retiree Activities Office since they are an appropriated fund activity per AFI 36-3106

George M. Epperson, March ARB Ca

7/19/2011 12:20:51 PM ET
Glaring missed opportunity to mandate single AF wide standardized specification and one unvarying color for mandated reflective belts. Hint: look up definition of uniform. Out of PT step -- missed opportunity to acknowledge contemporary and progressive fitness culture shift to embrace minimalist running shoes as being conclusively approved athletic style shoes and designed to be used with or without socks.

Todays Warrior, Europe

7/19/2011 11:21:52 AM ET
Bummer about the complete phase out of the black combat boot and black t-shirt. I thought that was only for BDUs, not flight suits as well. The sand t-shirt and sage boot, even the aircrew approved sage boot, just look downright stupid with the green flight suit. Wonder if the black boot ban applies to wear of blues and blousing into black boots for SOF, TACPs, PJs, etc.? This is very unclear. Agree that waiting to publish until 1 Nov would have made sense.

CP, Colorado

7/19/2011 11:16:23 AM ET
I wonder who approved the picture on page 60 of the enlisted female long sleeve shirt? Stripes are waaaaaaaaay to high.

DC, MD

7/19/2011 11:08:39 AM ET
@ ShabbaDuece LMAO. I myself was hoping for mutton chops like we had in the 70's. Will sit tight for Interim Change 1 November 1st.

Stanton A. Marlberg, Saddle Rock Colo.

7/19/2011 11:04:46 AM ET
I agree with most of the comments so far. Why would you drop this instruction with all the BDU/DCU information so close to 1 Nov? Stupid. Next, with all the prep that went into this instruction, how could you miss the error in Figure 4.8? When has it ever been correct to place a badge off-center from the top ribbon?

Junior, Edwards

7/19/2011 11:03:03 AM ET
Sure, let's abandon as much tradition as possible and poop on morale a little more. Morale patches and colored T-shirts are so evil. We're so focused on trying to integrate with and use Army, Marine lingo, why shouldn't we start dressing like them as well. Civilian clothing and appearance standards...are you serious? We're a different force with a different purpose. Let's stop being afraid to be different.

Mike, Colorado

7/19/2011 9:56:40 AM ET
Congratulations on finally killing our Friday T-shirts for the flyers! Did the image really detract that much from the already multi-colored-with-patches flight suit? Is it worth the drop in morale on an already tired and weary deployment force?

Rex, Europe

7/19/2011 9:16:46 AM ET
No morale patches allowed on the FDU? That makes a LOT of sense. Morale is already waning...let's make it worse! The Air Force's Uniform Circus Directorate always puts on a good show

D. Heffernan, Queens NY

7/19/2011 8:37:16 AM ET
@BCW - Totally agree with you. EPIC FAIL for not waiting until November to release this update. If it needed to be released sooner then the BDU references should have been omitted as this uniform is all but retired. Now we will have an instruction that contains severely outdated information within ten weeks of being published. Other than that, the AFI is better in every other respect.

Joe, Texas

7/19/2011 6:13:10 AM ET
I must be the only one happy that we finally have something in black and white to actually abide by for dress and appearance. For the past several years ABUs were dictated by 20 different policy letters or a vague website. Even though this rewrite of 36-2903 has some issues it is by far better than what we were operating with.

Tony, Keesler

7/19/2011 5:25:14 AM ET
@ AMMO-1 -...so then go join the Marine Corps if you feel oh so inclined to be told what to do every second of your life.

JJ, TX

7/19/2011 3:14:07 AM ET
In response to AMMO-1, while we are restricting civilian apperance, why don't we get rid of all the unhealthy fast food on the installation. Promoting a healthy lifestyle for all would be easier than taking away hats indoors.

Annoyed, Beale AFB

7/19/2011 12:03:58 AM ET
What is wrong with you people? Get a real job and stop messing with our uniforms and heritage. We must not be fighting three wars right now with all of this concern over queep.

Disgusted, CSprings CO

7/18/2011 10:55:18 PM ET
As a male on the flightline, I really wanted dreadlocks... guess i'll have to wait another few months for the regs to undergo a new change...peace mon

ShabbaDuece, OsanAB

7/18/2011 8:00:20 PM ET
Good attempt at trying to eliminate interpretation. The diagrams help considerably. @BCW - I totally agree. Why even release a new revision of the reg that talks about the BDU or DCU that becomes obsolete in the next FY. A lot of things like sister service badges are authorized only for the BDU so those who possess them can only wear them for the next 10 weeks. It's like the AF says "we'll recognize your great achievement...but only for the next 10 weeks. Then you can go back to being just another Airman."

afkeoni, Hickam AFB

7/18/2011 7:55:56 PM ET
Loader, Look on the main page of the portal and you can save your own copy.

BMW, Japan

7/18/2011 3:04:13 PM ET
Unreal. The AF drops the ball again. We operated on a supplemented version since 2006 and they release the new version 10 weeks before the BDU becomes obsolete and could have completely eliminated it from the new version. Way to think ahead guys. No wonder we can't get our manning levels right either.

BCW, SC

7/18/2011 1:53:26 PM ET
With finally consolidating the two BX systems and spending to finialize millitary uniforms that change every three years, I think it may be a good time to also look at civilian dress and appearance standards for everyone on base. The Marines post set standards such as no hats indoors, tucked in shirts with tails, and various notes on approiate appearance for all. While we may have earned the right of expression, we all have a duty to maintain standards on base.

AMMO-1, Hill AFB UT

7/18/2011 1:14:24 PM ET
The verbiage and clarification in this regulation is amazing. Thank you for eliminating the up to interpretation. Well written - MTL LRAFB

SSgt Laura Winn, LRAFB Ar

7/18/2011 10:32:46 AM ET
Now if only the new pub was available on e-Pubs or the AFPC Dress and Appearance website so we could read it.

Loader, Kirtland AFB NM

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