95th Air Force uniform board results released

National Guard, Sep 2000

Development of an optional polyester uniform for people sensitive to wool and an athletic cut uniform for body builders were some of the uniform changes recommended by the 95th Air Force Uniform Board and approved by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan last month.

Nineteen recommendations were approved, 47 were disapproved, 10 were referred for additional study, and eight were addressed, but require further staffing.

Some changes require uniform design modification, or development and testing, and evaluation by senior leadership before they can be implemented. The following recommendations were approved by the chief of staff. Implementation guidance is pending.

* Standardization of the all-weather coat by removing the gun-flap on the current issued coat

* Requirement to wear all ribbons, including devices, when wearing ribbons Tabs will be added to the maternity jumper

Female officer mess dress shoulder boards will be resized

Gore-Tex parka will be available in military clothing sales stores as an optional item

* Wear of flight gear authorized for Phoenix Raven personnel

* Development of an optional 100 percent acrylic or an acrylic and wool blend pullover sweater

* Development of badges proportioned between the miniature and regular sized badges

* Development of an optional polyester uniform for people sensitive to wool * Development of an athletic cut uniform

* Investigate a fire resistance uniform for fire fighters

* Changing language in Air Force Instruction 39-2903 to read: Fingernail length must not interfere with duty performance or hinder proper fit of prescribed safety equipment or uniform items

Attache cases, gym bags, backpacks and women's purses may be carried in either hand as long as they do not interfere with rendering proper military courtesies

* When current supplies run out, the women's handbag will no longer be issued in basic training

Plain dark blue or black ropes, silver or plastic small-link chain and clear plastic chain attachments may be worn for access badges

* Center excellence-in-competition badges on the welt pocket of the service dress jacket Pharmacy technician certification badges may be worn on the white utility uniform one-half inch above the nametag

Camel pack water containers may be worn as part of the standard hot weather uniform

* Improve alignment of women's tie tab with collar

Items referred for additional study are:

* Use of the same non-roll elastic in the maternity blue pants that is used in the maternity BDU pants

*Resizing women's tall-sized uniforms

*Resizing tall-sized mess dress uniforms

* Develop brown or black thermal underwear to be wom with BDUs

Upgrade Air Force BDU cap

Increasing the circumference of maternity BDU sleeve by 2 inches

Redesign the maternity BDU slacks by either adding an adjustable drawstring or adjustable shoulder straps

Review optional purses, available through the Army and Air Force Exchange, which meet Air Force requirements

Review Space/Missile badge

Review sleeveless BDU shirt and shorts

The following items were addressed by the uniform board, but require further staffing:

* Standardize food service uniforms Air Force-wide

Removal of the cloth tape bearing the words special agent for Air Force Office of Special Investigations members and add a subdued U.S. collar insignia

Redesign of the combat weather team beret device

* Allowing inconspicuous/conservative brand names on the temple piece or arm of eyeglasses and sunglasses

* Wear enlisted rank on BDU headgear

* Allowing for the permanent wear of U.S. Army Ranger tab or patch

* Allowing wear of the U.S. Army Air Assault functional badge

* Making wear of the occupational badge mandatory on the service dress.