Posted on 06/02/2006 1:51:10 PM PDT by Paladin2b
Based on feedback received during visits with Airmen across the Air Force, the Air Force Uniform Board is reviewing several concepts that Airmen have suggested regarding the appearance of the service dress uniform.
Some of the informal feedback about the current service dress includes Airmen wanting to revamp the service dress to look more military, like the other services. One senior airman said, “the current uniform resembles a cheesy business suit.” A staff sergeant said, “think world’s most dominating air power, not CEO,” and another described it as a “cheap leisure suit.”
Other comments have suggested that the uniform needs to reflect the Air Force’s history more. On an Internet message board an Airman recently wrote, “I want to look good and be proud of my AF heritage.” Another Airman wrote that the dress uniform pales in comparison to any of the other services. "We need something that distinguishes us as proud members of the U.S. military.”
The Air Force began exploring these ideas by producing several prototypes that reflect a combination of ideas that have been gleaned from comments, suggestions and informal surveys conducted over the past several years.
A more formal survey soon will provide additional opportunities for Airmen to provide feedback and comments.
"We’ve been getting informal feedback on our current service dress uniform for several years, and what we consistently have heard from many Airmen is a desire for a more 'military,' and less 'corporate' look and feel, something more reflective of the Air Force’s heritage, and its role as a professional military organization,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice, director of Airman development and sustainment, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel.
“The Uniform Board has come up with some options to explore these concepts and the initial prototypes are direct descendants of our heritage, rooted in Hap Arnold and Billy Mitchell’s Air Force,” General Allardice said.
The survey will provide a more formal opportunity to collect feedback on whether or not Airmen want a new service dress, and if so, what changes, likes, or dislikes they have about the prototypes.
“We believe we need to respond to the force and the constant flow of feedback we receive on the service dress is driving this initiative. We see this as an opportunity to do so, along with a chance to reflect on our rich history, as well as the image we wish to portray in uniform,” said General Allardice. “We want to make sure our uniforms, all combinations, meet our current and future needs.”
This process will use the standard Air Force Uniform Board process and as with the Airman’s Battle Uniform, Airmen are encouraged to take the opportunity to directly contribute to how their new service uniform might look.
The Air Force will present options based on feedback received on possible service dress designs through the uniform board process.
i liked the Vietnam era USAF uniform. You could moonlight as a Greyhound bus driver without having to change clothes.
Um, ripping off the Marine Corps much? ;-)
I thought the Air Force had already gone "uniform optional"? :)
It doesn't matter anyway, the wrench turners never really get a chance to wear them.
Where is the cute little greyhound?
Those collars look familiar.........hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Bump for later...
Lol!
Doesn't look right on the woman though, does it?
None of the other services fiddle with their uniforms every decade or so except for the Air Force, which is I think suffering from a life-long identity crisis since being 'divorced' from the Army.
They ought to bring back the Khaki Army Air Force uniforms that were worn in WWII.
THAT would be a welcome change.
They look too German mid30's early 40's era.
My father's USAF. He hates them.
MUCH better. :)
Those Billy Mitchell uniforms are sharp.
Ironic that they'd use his name, considering what happened to General Mitchell.
Protecting Your Skies.
9-5. Monday thru Friday.
The Army used that type of collar until the 20s/30s. It was phased out and has not come back. The Navy, I believe, still has a similar collared dress uniform. I had dress blues as an enlisted Marine and they were not all that comfortable all of the time. Having finished my career in the AF I am not sure that a lot of people would necessarily like it in terms of how it feels, but it does look kinda sharp.
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