Dress, Right, Dress: Clothing allowance, life expectancy of the new ABU

  • Published
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Keeping in line with AFI 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel, and the Air Force Uniform Board's upcoming uniform changes, questions regarding the new Airman Battle Uniform have arisen and below is information all servicemembers should know about the new gear.

Question: Will the clothing allowance be increased since the cost of the uniform will go up? 

Answer: Yes, the clothing allowance will reflect the increase effective October 2007 (Fiscal Year 2008). If you choose to purchase the ABU before your anniversary date in FY08, you will absorb the cost differences until you receive your clothing allowance. If you choose to buy a set early, you must have an entire set of ABUs and accessories, such as boots, belt, hat, green socks and tan T-shirt. 

Question: Will officers be given a clothing allowance to cover initial costs? 

Answer: Officers only receive an initial allowance upon commissioning. 

Question: How many uniforms will be issued at basic training? 

Answer: The Basis of Issue for the ABU will be the same as the BDU. Four ABUs will be issued to new Airmen in Basic Military Training starting October. These replace the four sets of Battle Dress Uniforms currently issued in the initial issue clothing bag. 

Question: I understand that the expected life expectancy of the typical ABU is only 12 months. That doesn't seem very durable for a uniform that is designed to be used in combat environments. Will the enlisted clothing allowance be updated annually to allow Airmen to purchase four sets every year? 

Answer: The life expectancy is based on the current BDU for the enlisted clothing allowance. The uniform wear tests indicate that, with proper care and laundering, there will be a much longer life than one year and once there is sufficient data to support that, the life expectancy will be adjusted. 

(Information courtesy of the Air Force Portal at www.my.af.mil