Commentary - Dress, appearance reminders for inspection

Tag : dress

Commentary by Linda Capozzoli
341st Force Support Squadron

10/3/2008 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- I experienced more than 20 major inspections during my 23 yearson active duty, such as the one headed our way at the end of themonth. Back in my day, our footwear required spit shines, ouruniforms required definite creases and all awarded badges, patches,and awards and decorations were mandatory each day. That shiny beltbuckle could have absolutely no visible scratches. Our personalgrooming, both men and women, had to be above and beyond theminimum standard as expressed in the Dress and Personal AppearanceRegulation, Air Force Regulation 35-10.

During the inspection, and every day, members of Team Malmstrom areexpected to maintain the highest levels of military bearing andtraditional military customs and courtesies during the entireinspection.

Flash forward to 2008, Dress and Personal Appearance, Air ForceInstruction 36-2903 (even the number changed). Allow me to reviewthe uniform and personal grooming standards that are in effect asof September 2008:

The Airman Battle Uniform (per Sept. 7, 2007 policy message fromAir Force Personnel Center headquarters as supplemented by Jan. 11and June 12, messages authorizing mixing of Battle Dress Uniformand Airman Battle Uniform for cold weather areas):

Shirt, trouser, patrol cap, sand colored T-shirt, desert sandcolored rigger belt, sage green boot socks and sage green suedeboots (desert tan suede boots are authorized until November 2011).T-shirts are crew neck.

ABU sage green boots are authorized with all utility uniforms -ABU, BDU and Desert Camouflage Uniform.

No organizational caps are authorized except RED HORSE Units andberets by security forces.

Rank placement identical to BDU and DCU for ABU rank and badges,name and U.S. Air Force tapes. Subdued metal rank only forofficers, sewn on cloth rank authorized for all.

Trousers are to be bloused in the same manner as BDU.

Aeronautical, Chaplain, occupational badges and required dutyshields are authorized; however, occupational badges are optional.All other badges are not authorized, and there is a three badgemaximum. No badge, patch or insignia are authorized on the rightpocket.

No patches or command insignia are authorized.

Backpacks, briefcases, hydration systems and gym bags should beblack or sage green. ABU patterned items authorized as available.

APECS with fleece liners (black or sage green) for cold weather(liners are not outerwear). The BDU Gortex are authorized whenAPECS are not available (extension to May 1, 2009). Officers canwear subdued pin-on rank on APECS.

Personal grooming standards have not changed much after all of theyears (reference: AFI 36-2903, Table 1.5), and hair must still beclean, well-groomed and neat. Fingernails must be clean andwell-groomed, too, and the length, for men and women, will notexceed one-fourth inch past the finger tip.

Like hair styles, nail length cannot interfere with dutyperformance or hinder the proper fit of uniform items, such asheadgear or safety equipment. A few basics reminders:

Men's hair will have a tapered appearance on side and back. Thebulk for men's hair will not exceed one and one-fourth inch.Sideburns still must be neatly trimmed and tapered, straight, evenand horizontal to the ground. Mustache rules remain the same. Thenewer authorization for men's hair now includes cleanly shaven,military high-and-tight or flat top haircuts.

Women's hair standards also remained constant over the years andstyle must present a professional appearance and cannot extendbelow any side of an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground atthe bottom edge of the shirt collar, regardless of overall lengthand cannot exceed three inches in bulk. Bangs will not touch theeyebrows.

Newcomers to the authorized women's hairstyle include braids,micro-braids and cornrows.

Nail polish and lipstick choices have always presentedopportunities for debate. Nail polish and lipstick colors must be asingle skin-tone-complimenting color. This means, no purples, orfire-engine reds, no decorations such as snowflakes during thewinter season, a diamond on a single nail, arch-backed cats atHalloween time. New to the scene: French manicures are nowauthorized.

Refer to AFI 36-2903 for more in-depth information or call me at731-2911.