Oct. 1 effective date for Air Force uniform changes

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  There will be noticeable changes with the Air Force uniform Oct. 1, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said.

Three changes include doing away with enlisted shoulder board ranks and introducing a new physical training uniform and an insignia.

The Air Force introduced shoulder board rank, originally called shoulder mark insignia, for senior NCOs in 1982. At the time, the Air Force said that was a way to bring added recognition to the top three enlisted ranks. Senior NCOs may now only wear shoulder boards on the blue sweater.

Chief McKinley said many senior enlisted leaders agree NCOs should wear chevrons.

"We are excited for our enlisted force to return to our heritage of wearing our stripes on our sleeves," the chief said. "Now every Airman should be proud to wear their rank on their sleeve."

Airmen will now also have physical training gear to wear when taking part in group physical training events or annual fitness tests. The chief said Airmen must have their gear ready on Oct. 1.

"You should have a full compliment of PT gear," Chief McKinley said. "This uniform gives us distinction as Airmen as we increased our fitness and readiness."

The insignia change takes place Jan. 1. The U.S. insignia in a circle will be mandatory wear that day on the blue jacket enlisted members wear. The change reverts back to the traditional insignia -- with the circle -- Airmen wore from 1918 through the early 1990s.