Waging "war"-drobe: Airmen's uniform questions answered

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Each day, Airmen throughout the Air Force may ask themselves the same burning question: What color socks can I wear with these boots?

Since the Airman Battle Uniform and sage boots began showing up across Air Force bases over two years ago, many variances in the standardized uniform have arisen. Possibly none of these are more plaguing than the uniform and boot-to-sock-color puzzle. Reading the Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, can crack this and other wardrobe riddles applying to Airmen's attire.

According to AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, the socks and boots color combinations that can be worn with the ABU, Battle Dress Uniform and Air Force flight suit are as follows:
-BDUs with black boots wear black socks
-BDUs with green boots wear sage green socks
-ABUs with sage green boots wear sage green socks
-ABUs with tans boots wear black, tan or sage green socks
-Flight suit (green and desert tan) with black boots wear black socks
-Flight suit (green and desert tan) with sage green wear sage green socks

These clothing rules are not just for the sake of style, they also have a deeper meaning.

"Proper uniform wear is the execution of good order and discipline," said Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th AW commander. "Always remember, every time we put our uniform on, we represent the greatest country and the greatest Air Force in the world."

Other possibly overlooked alterations to AFI 36-2903 affect the service dress and dress uniforms.

For example, effective Jan. 1, metal rank may no longer be worn by enlisted Airmen on the light weight blue jacket; rank must be worn using only the chevron rank insignia sewn on the sleeves. Also, a new 50 percent acrylic, 50 percent wool pullover, v-neck sweater is approved for wear. The initial distribution of the 50/50 pullover sweater included a hook-and-loop fastened (widely known as Velcro), aircrew-style name patch.

While the name patch has since been removed, Airmen who purchased the 50/50 pullover sweater with the name patch can take it to any Army and Air Force Exchange Service Military Clothing Sales Store alterations locations to have it removed without charge. The phase-out date for the 100 percent wool pullover sweater is Oct. 1.

Also, while the side-slit mess dress skirt may continue to be worn as an optional item, the women's A-line skirt is the primary mess dress skirt. The new version appears similar to the original, but has a more flared cut and is devoid of the side slit.

Airmen's outerwear is being revamped as well.

Air Force officials encourage all Airmen to affix name, rank and service designator tapes on the sage green fleece instead of waiting for the Oct. 1 mandatory wear date. However, officers wanting to wear a watch cap with the sage green fleece must now have their name, rank and service designator tapes affixed to the fleece effective immediately.

The physical training uniform and improved physical training uniform have also had their share of regulation applied to them.

Last October, guidance was changed in regards to the PTU/IPTU wear. This direction states that athletic shoe color must be conservative. This is defined by AFI 36-2903 as being plain with no bright or "loud" colors and no "excessive ornamentation." Also, it is now mandatory to tuck shirts into shorts or running pants while wearing the official physical training uniform.

More information on official uniform guidance can be found by conducting a search on the Air Force Portal or by calling the Air Force Personnel Center at (800) 525-0102.