Test uniforms soon arriving at Elmendorf

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Austin May
  • 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  In early 2002, the Air Force chief of staff and the U.S. Air Force Uniform Board put together a uniform that met distinct criteria. It had to be better fitting, less expensive and easier to maintain, and specific to the Air Force.

Elmendorf is one of the nine testing sites for this proposed utility uniform.

The 200 Airmen here who recently participated in a fit test for the proposed blue, green and gray ensemble will soon be wearing the uniforms while performing their various day-to-day taskings.

Senior Master Sgt. Jaqueline Dean from the Chief Uniform Board Office at the Pentagon is overseeing testing Air Force-wide. According to her, the uniform has gotten mixed reviews.

"A lot of people are concerned about the colors," Sergeant Dean said. "They want to know what we are trying to camouflage ourselves against."

Sergeant Dean's defense to this is that 97 percent of the Airmen today do not need to be in a camouflage uniform on a day-to-day basis.

"This uniform is for those 97 percent," she said. "Obviously the other 3 percent, when needed, will deploy in a more camouflaged uniform."

The colors, however, are not the only things raising a voice among Airmen.

"The biggest controversy about the new uniform is, of course, the colors," Sergeant Dean said. "And the second is the hat. People want to know why, if we're trying for an Air Force-distinctive uniform, (we are) using the Seabee-style hat that the Navy and Marines wear."

Those not in favor of the eight-point-style hat, or any other aspect of the uniform for that matter, are not without a voice.

"On April 1, we're going to be putting out a Web site that anybody can get on and give us their feedback," Sergeant Dean said. "Anything you would like to see or think you need in this uniform, tell us. We're encouraging people to get on this Web site and give us their opinions."

This is the first time Air Force leaders have asked their Airmen’s opinion on a uniform issue and because of that, it is extremely important that people take advantage of this unique opportunity, Sergeant Dean said.

"I'm not saying that all the decisions on this uniform will be based on what (people) like or dislike, but at least they're asking for our opinion; so I feel we need to at least give them that," Sergeant Dean said.

While opinions of the new uniform vary throughout the Air Force, those who have had the opportunity to participate in the fit test here expressed very positive comments and all agreed on a few key points.

"The pants with the elastic fit better than the current ones," said Airman Cory Laflamne of the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron. "Plus, you can tell the difference between us and the other services. We'll stand out."

Senior Master Sgt. David Carlson of the 3rd Mission Support Squadron was the project officer for the fit test.

"Just about every participant was upbeat about the new uniform and excited for an opportunity to wear-test the uniform." Sergeant Carlson said. "Most people like the new material and say it's more comfortable than the current (battle dress uniform). They also like the idea of the ease of maintenance."

Some features for the proposed uniform, other than the new material and pattern, are designed for easier use in the varied working environments found throughout the Air Force. Deeper pants pockets allow for more storage, while a second, smaller pocket inside the trouser cargo pockets is designed to hold some common tools. There is also a pen holder inside the blouse.

The new uniform will not have any patches sewn on, with the exception of rank, name and U.S. Air Force tapes, and possibly specific occupational badges for career fields, such as firefighters and security forces.