Changes to uniform standards promote morale, welfare

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Air Force Instruction governing dress and appearance standards among Airmen was recently updated with several new changes - changes that are hoped to increase morale and welfare among service members as well as decrease the financial burden on them.

The changes to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Air Force Dress and Appearance, were approved by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III after Airmen spoke out during the Every Dollar Counts campaign and during Welsh's visits to Air Force bases. Inputs from the uniform survey board were also taken into consideration while updating the AFI.

Although dozens of changes were made to the instruction, there were four prominent changes that have the ability to affect the morale of Airmen across the Air Force - each gives Airmen a more personal touch while in uniform. The first is a small change that has the potential to touch every Airman.

Cellphones not worn on the uniform - not clipped to a belt or attached to a purse - no longer need to be black. Phones visible on a belt or purse must still be plain black, silver, dark blue or gray.

Although protective cases may now be an array of colors, this change does not affect an Airman's use of a phone while in uniform. According to Chapter 6 of the instruction, paragraph 6.3.3.2, "While walking in uniform, use of personal electronic media devices, including ear pieces, speaker phones or text messaging is limited to emergencies or when official notifications are necessary. Military customs and courtesies take precedence."

Another change to the AFI deals with the wear of the physical training uniform. Athletic shoes and socks are required while in the PTU; however, before the change, the socks were to be white and shoes were to be plain colored.

"One time, I had to go home and schedule a different time for my PT test because I was wearing black socks," admitted Senior Airman Gina Douglas, 341st Force Support Squadron fitness specialist. "Black is just as neutral as white so you don't think about it when you put them on. I've also had to wear my friend's shoes that were a size too small. I wasn't willing to go out and buy a pair of shoes that I think are plain and ugly just to wear one time; I like colorful shoes."

With the implemented changes, Airmen may wear white or black socks, and their athletic shoes have no color restrictions.

"I think (the changes to the PTU) could improve the morale of a PT test because it can make the test more you," Douglas said. "You can be more personalized in a sense. It's no longer all straight forward, and it just makes sense - your shoes can be any kind of shoes instead of having to be either black or white."

Another form of personalization was added to the instruction. Although previously prohibited, badges earned by members may now be worn on the Airman Battle Uniform. The Air Force earned badges include the Scuba Badge, Test Pilot School Patch (Flight Duty Uniform only), Weapons Instructor Course Graduate Badge, Air Force Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, Bronze Air Force Excellence-in-Competition Badge and Silver Air Force Excellence-in-Competition Badge. Other service earned badges may also be worn. All badges allowed to be worn can be found in Attachment 5 of AFI 36-2903.

According to the AFI, "A maximum of four earned embroidered badges and/or patches may be worn on ABUs. A maximum of two badges are worn on the left side of the uniform front above the U.S. AIR FORCE tape located above the left breast pocket. Wear only chaplain, aeronautical, space, cyberspace, occupational, qualification and miscellaneous badges in this location. A third embroidered badge or patch may be worn on the left breast pocket (such as the missile, missile operations badges or security forces, fire protection or [Air Force Office of Special Investigations] shields, or the Weapons Instructor Course Graduate Patch or USAF Test Pilot School Patch). If a fourth badge/patch is worn, it may be worn on the right pocket (i.e. Weapons Instructor Course Graduate Patch or USAF Test Pilot School Patch, attachment 5 list is not all inclusive) or above the nametape (as appropriate). Wear regular size embroidered cloth badges, patches, or specialty insignia on the ABU. If earned and awarded, tabs such as the Army Ranger tab will be worn on the upper crest of the sleeve and may not interfere with wear of enlisted rank insignia. Metal pin-on type qualification badges of other services are not authorized for wear on the ABU."

Having these changes available is one way morale across the U.S. Air Force can spread. However, one change to the instruction could allow the spread of morale among squadron and unit teammates.

Squadron members are now allowed to wear standardized morale t-shirts on Fridays, as authorized by their squadron commanders. The shirts must all match in color by squadron, be tucked into trousers and may include logos that must not be visible while wearing the ABU coat. More information on the specific requirements may be found in AFI 36-2903, paragraph 6.5.2.1.

"In the medical group, it could probably be something to use to look at the artists in the unit to come up with a new design," said Master Sgt. Bradley Thye, 341st Medical Group first sergeant. "That could spark some kind of side motivation to create something new."

These changes were made to help increase the morale throughout the Air Force, but also throughout the units within it. Although only four changes were outlined here, more can be found in the revised instruction.

For more information, refer to AFI 36-2903, Air Force Dress and Appearance.