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New service dress prototypes pique interest [possible new USAF uniform]
Air Force Link ^ | 18 May 2006 | Air Force Public News

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: airforce; billymitchell; haparnold; uniforms; usaf
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To: ICE-FLYER

Yeh, looks like that uniform must be worn while walking the goose step. It's horrid. More German prison guard than U.S. Air Force.


41 posted on 06/02/2006 2:19:28 PM PDT by holyscroller (A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him to the left)
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To: Paladin2b

I don't know about the uniforms, but the chairs should all be replaced with motorized scooters designed to look like F-15s.


42 posted on 06/02/2006 2:19:32 PM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (My ding-dong wasn't big enough, so I cut it off.)
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To: Liberty Valance
That's the old Mess Dress uniform, not the Service Dress uniform sought to be changed.

That being said, I'd deep-six the Mess Dress as well. The most embarassing moment in my father's duty in the USAF was when he (a major) was mistaken for a waiter at a swank dinner party in a Chicago club.
43 posted on 06/02/2006 2:20:48 PM PDT by Paladin2b
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To: digger48

Naaa. Too much like The Empire's uniforms in "Star Wars". Makes them look like bad guys. Kind of looks like some Communist countries' uniforms, too.


44 posted on 06/02/2006 2:22:27 PM PDT by RoadTest (For the love of money is the root of all evil - I Timothy 6:10)
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To: Yo-Yo

Who's the gay guy in the middle?


45 posted on 06/02/2006 2:24:36 PM PDT by Lee'sGhost (Crom!)
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To: RoadTest
Naaa. Too much like The Empire's uniforms in "Star Wars". Makes them look like bad guys. Kind of looks like some Communist countries' uniforms, too.

Don't let the "you stole our uniform!" contingent of the Marines hear you say that.... ;)

46 posted on 06/02/2006 2:26:24 PM PDT by highball (Proud to announce the birth of little Highball, Junior - Feb. 7, 2006!)
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To: Paladin2b

It looks better with a sidearm.

47 posted on 06/02/2006 2:28:19 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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Comment #48 Removed by Moderator

To: digger48

Looks like a blued version of the Wehrmacht uniform.


49 posted on 06/02/2006 2:29:16 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (The social contract is breaking down.)
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To: Paladin2b
That being said, I'd deep-six the Mess Dress as well.

Dump the Navy version, too. It has a sparkly gold cumberbund. Who the hell came up with that. Otherwise, it doesn't look too bad. Depending on the affair, you could actually wear funny non-regulation bow ties. I recall at a squadron dinner once, our wardroom all wore red ties with white stars a-spangling them.

Well, nothing we had was worse than those old-style covers the women had to wear. Talk about unflattering.

50 posted on 06/02/2006 2:29:53 PM PDT by TontoKowalski
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To: RoadTest
"Star Wars"

Nah. These blues are a dead ringer for the ones in the new Battlestar Galactica series.

51 posted on 06/02/2006 2:29:59 PM PDT by AngryJawa ({NRA}{IDPA})
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To: Paladin2b
One of my favorite USAF unforms was the blue "Ike jacket". But, then, I'm wierd: I also enjoyed wearing the tan "505" tropical short-sleeved shirt and bermuda shorts...

Didn't care much for the 505 "bush Jacket" as a uniform, though -- but I still wear mine on photo-taking trips -- lots of roomy pockets...

52 posted on 06/02/2006 2:30:11 PM PDT by TXnMA (Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! Repeat San Jacinto!!! AND START IN AUSTIN!!!)
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To: Liberty Valance
That's the Mess Dress uniform, worn for formal occasions indoors. It's the AF's equivalent of a tuxedo. BTW, the medals shown in that phot are incorrect. They are placed way too low on the uniform.
53 posted on 06/02/2006 2:33:14 PM PDT by ops33 (Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant)
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To: digger48

Close .... but not quite.

54 posted on 06/02/2006 2:35:11 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (The social contract is breaking down.)
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To: Yo-Yo

It's not a First Sergeant star. The First Sergeant wears a diamond. The Chief shown in the photo is a Command Chief Master Sergeant, as indicated by the star.


55 posted on 06/02/2006 2:36:07 PM PDT by ops33 (Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant)
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To: LongElegantLegs

Well, ya know, with the new ABU looking so much like the Jarhead version, may as well go the whole route. I'm sick to death of uniform changes - this (the ABU) makes three utility uniforms in my 20 years, and this new service dress will be the third as well. Glad I'm not doing this on a captain's pay anymore!

Colonel, USAFR


56 posted on 06/02/2006 2:37:25 PM PDT by jagusafr (The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not")
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To: Al Simmons

That would be the 1505s - my dad wore 'em. Not a pretty sight in the tropics - permanent sweat stains under the arms.


57 posted on 06/02/2006 2:39:31 PM PDT by jagusafr (The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not")
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To: digger48
God, that looks like crap. The AF has been searching for "a distinctive" uniform since it was formed in 1947 and still haven't found one.

If I had my druthers I wish they would bring back the old 1505's, not 100% cotton so they were completely wrinkled by noon but perhaps a cotton/polyester blend. I always liked the khaki color with the blue belt and stripes.
58 posted on 06/02/2006 2:39:31 PM PDT by ops33 (Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant)
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To: dakine

Not if you're a JAG. Lots of opportunity to wear the service dress (though not as much these days, with such a shrinkage in courts martial).


59 posted on 06/02/2006 2:41:40 PM PDT by jagusafr (The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not")
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To: Paladin2b

Geez... the Air Force has a real talent for creating uniforms that make it look like the Official Auxillary of the Salvation Army...


60 posted on 06/02/2006 2:45:22 PM PDT by pabianice
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