Any thoughts on the latest Air Force uniform policy changes?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:43:45 -0500

AFI 36-2903 updated as of 17 Jan... Authorized black socks in PT gear, removed PT shoe color restrictions, authorized Friday morale shirts in ABU's/Flight suits, and removed restrictions on cell phone color just to name a few. It's unusual we get an AFI update that removes more restrictions than it puts in place. Any thoughts on the new regs?

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 20 at 2014 7:51 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:51:15 -0500

TSgt; Interesting, I have not read the updated AFI 36-2903...thanks for sharing. I'll take a look at it.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 20 at 2014 8:00 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:00:17 -0500

TSgt Dietrich, thank you again for sharing this info.

Fellow Air Force RP Members, here's an article that explains the reasoning for the changes:

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/473134/af-uniform-policy-update-welcome-back-morale-t-shirts-badges-and-limitless-athl.aspx

BOTTOM LINE (According to the article):

“The policy changes revolve around three areas,” said Col. Patrick Doherty, Director of Air Force Services who has oversight of the uniforms and awards and recognition branch.

“The first area of policy changes is focused on heritage, team building, esprit de corps and unit pride.

The second is recognizing and valuing Airmen’s experiences, qualifications and job performance, allowing Airmen to wear what they have earned.

The last area is a group of common sense approach inputs from Airmen in the field that senior leaders thought were great ideas.”

AF uniform policy update: welcome back morale t-shirts, badges and limitless athletic shoes > U.S. Air Force > Article Display

The Air Force updated the policy governing uniform wear Jan. 17, with a goal of not financially burdening Airmen. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark. A. Welsh III approved several updates to Air Force...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 8:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:06:32 -0500

Wait, y'all had restrictions on the color of running shoes you could wear? We were given the NOGO for toe-shoes but it's like a rave every morning for PT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 8:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:07:57 -0500

I think its a good move for ya'll; hopefully more branches will follow suit.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2014 1:17 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 01:17:48 -0500

Personally, I like the change with the black socks and the morale shirt. The black socks look ok with the AF IPTU and the morale shirt brings back a "sense of belonging", since we are not authorized squadron patches on the ABU top.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2014 8:31 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 20:31:24 -0400

I think its good. I had the shoe color be a point of contention before. I have flat arches and as I get older they have been causing more issues. I used to run 5-7 miles a day when on AD. At one point on AD I started to getting pain in the ankles and knees. I went to the foot doctor and he was saying I needed better running shoes with arch supports. I found that not every running shoe is the same. I have to go to running specialty shops to get a good pair of shoes. I try to find a shoe that gives me best feel. I try get them in a conservative color except sometimes the best model comes in louder colors than I would like. In fact I am not a fan of loud shoes even in own attire.

One year I had some fairly loud shoes, and knew that it might be an issue at a PT test as a reservist. I went to the test in my older more conservative shoes to do the push-up setups. I also brought my current running shoes. The test administrator was going to try prevent me from wearing them, which was ridiculous because I was only going to have them on long enough to the 1.5. He tried to pull the I am king of my castle BS. I called him on it and started dialing base operator for the services squadron commander. He realized what I was doing and then backed off and let me run with the shoes I needed.

I am for the change in practical sense. Although ironically my new running shoes I just bought are more conservative than the last pair. The model of shoe I get changes from year to year in color selection sometimes they are conservative and sometimes they can be a bit loud.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 1:20 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 May 2016 13:20:13 -0400

Baaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaah!!!!
I have never been happier to be retired. Enforcing the 2903 has been and will always be a nightmare.

Cell Phones? Never cared! As long as you can show some sort of respect while on it.
Flight Suits are a joke. 1/2 the people wearing them no longer rate them.
The ABUs suck and should be the first Uniform the DoD gets rid of.
Show color? Who cares.

how about this. Figure out how to blouse those boots.
Wear the Patrol Cap correctly (Squarely on your head)!
Roll your sleeves correctly!