Making the transition, Airmen change from BDUs to ABUs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Reservist wearing digitally printed sage uniforms are beginning to be seen across Dover AFB. This may incline some to hang up the old Battle Dress Uniforms for the new Airman Battle Uniform before the mandatory wear date of October 2011. To assist Airmen through the transition from the BDU to the ABU, there are several resources available in print, online and via the phone. 

According to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, the ABU arrangement includes:
- ABU coat (shirt);
- ABU trouser;
- ABU patrol cap;
- Desert sand-colored t-shirt (light tan);
- Desert sand-colored rigger belt;
- Sage green boot socks and
- Sage green suede boots (Desert sand-colored suede boots authorized until ABU mandatory wear date) 

ABU t-shirts must be crew neck style and is authorized for wear with the olive drab green and desert flight suits. Desert sand-colored turtlenecks are authorized in cold weather. ABU sleeves may be rolled per table 2.2 of AFI 36-2903. 

Organizational caps are no longer authorized. The ABU patrol cap is the
authorized headgear for wear with the ABU. 

Aeronautical and chaplain badges are authorized. Duty shields are required for Force Protection and Fire Protection. Occupational badges are optional with all other badges being unauthorized. No patches or command insignias are authorized on the ABU. A name tape, a "U.S. Air Force" tape and rank are required on the ABU coat. 

Optional accessories such as backpacks, briefcases, hydration systems and gym
bags should continue to be black, olive drab or Air Force sage green. 

Do not starch, hot press or use detergents with optical brighteners. A list of approved laundry detergents can be found on the AF Portal at www.my.af.mil. Click on the Air Force Uniform Program link and then read the talking paper titled, "What does the term 'Optical Brighteners' mean?" 

According to the ABU Policy Message, dated September 2007, the ABU sage green boots are authorized for wear with all utility uniforms - ABU, BDU, Desert Camouflage Uniform, olive drab flight suit and desert tan flight suit. According to the Air Force Personnel Call Center, sock colors for uniform and boot combinations are as follows:
- BDU with black boots wear black socks
- BDU with sage green boots wear sage green socks
- ABU with sage green boots wear sage green socks
- ABU with tan boots wear black or sage green socks 

Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th Airlift Wing commander, authorizes the
combination of the ABU uniform with the woodland Gore-Tex coat until June 1 in the following circumstances:
- New Airmen who've only been issued ABUs and have received a Gore-Tex coat here
- When a wing member no longer has a serviceable set of BDUs and is issued ABUs and not an ABU jacket. 

Questions pertaining to the ABU wear policy can be directed to the Air Force Personnel Call Center at DSN 665-5000 or toll-free (800) 616-3775. More information including the latest news and frequently asked questions can be found on the AF Portal's uniform page.