The Air Force has decided to switch from the standard Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) to operational camouflage pattern uniforms for a number of reasons.
The primary stimulus for this sudden shift, as stated by 88th Air Base Wing Command Chief, Jason Chaffer, is that Air Force command see the existence of separate uniforms for in-garrison operations and deployment as impractical and unnecessary.
No one will question that the ABU is much more than a uniform at this point, but a respected symbol of one of the most esteemed branches of the U.S. military, but the switch does make sense. One uniform simplifies both military operations and the manufacturing process of the uniforms.
The change in garb is also said to be the result of feedback from personnel claiming a more battle-ready uniform would be preferable to the traditional ABU.
The truth of the matter is that OCPs are far more comfortable than ABUs, and although they’re designed to be worn out in the field, the extra breathability and flexibility they bring to the table is just as welcome during in-garrison operations.
Air Force command has also recently been working on a whole new design for dress uniforms that hearkens back to the early days of the institution. As retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Kaleth Wright, stated, the goal is to “get back to a little more heritage on the jacket”.
What Color Shirt Goes with Air Force OCP?
If you’ve just landed your dream job in the U.S. Air Force, you may be a little disappointed to hear that your options when it comes to matching a t-shirt with the newly employed Army OCP uniforms are extremely limited. The only color authorized is coyote brown.
The specific classification of this dark brown coloring is TAN499 as named by the AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service).
Can I Wear Multicam Instead of OCP?
The use of multicam body armor, packs, and pouches was initially permitted during the early stages of the transition to OCP. It bought some time to get the wheels in motion. A phased transition was seen as preferable to switching an entire branch of the U.S. military’s uniform at once.
The official switch to mandatory OCP was then delayed due to complications caused by Covid-19, but as of the 1st April, 2021, the shift was finalized, and now it is not permitted to wear multicam as part of a U.S. Air Force uniform.
When Did the Air Force Stop Wearing BDUs?
On November 1st, 2011, after three decades of service, the U.S. Air Force declared that BDUs would no longer be an authorized AF uniform.
The standard battle dress uniform of the United States military from the early 80s, BDUs weren’t heavily used by the Air Force to begin with. All in-garrison operations required Airmen to don the recently defunct ABU.
When Can You Not Wear Your Air Force Uniform?
You have every right to be proud of the uniform you serve in. By all means don the colors in public during your 30 days of holiday leave, but there are certain situations when wearing your work attire is neither legal nor appropriate. Also, remember Operational Security. When you wear your uniform off installation, you can make yourself a target.
Make sure to don your civvies if you plan on attending a public or private meeting held by an organization deemed to be subversive to the United States government. That essentially means that if the group in question disagrees with the core political mechanics of the country in any fundamental way, and actively speaks out against it, you’re not to wear your fatigues.
The definition of a subversive organization is any collective that teaches, abets, supports, or directly takes part in activities with the purpose of altering or overthrowing the constitutional form of the government in the United States.
You are also not authorized to wear your Air Force uniform is a political event. This is to avoid giving people the idea that you speak for the United States military, as the military is not allowed to back certain political figures.
That’s not to say you can’t attend rallies and vote, you absolutely should exercise your right to do these things, but street clothes are a must! Even if you yourself are running as a candidate, you’re not allowed to wear your Air Force uniform.
It’s also forbidden to wear your uniform to a gathering that’s not necessarily political or subversive in nature but is actively rallying against the United States military. Firstly, the uniform is likely to be a point of contention, and secondly, it could appear to onlookers like you’re mocking the uniform.
Lastly, you’re not permitted to wear your Air Force uniform while undertaking civilian work, or promoting a business. A good rule of thumb is in any situation that wearing your uniform could erroneously imply that the U.S. Air Force sanctions the moral of an event or action, you need to change or make yourself scarce.