Posted on May 28, 2015
What do you think of the Air Force Enlisted Semi Formal Dress uniform?
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Thoughts on Air Force Enlisted Semi Formal Dress. Do you think it is a strange combination (or lack of) or not?
I was looking through old pictures of me in semi formal and thought to myself, "how can this be authorized"? well I would like to pick the brains of all of you! here's the break down; white shirt (instead of blue) under the service coat, no name tape, all ribbons mandatory, no headgear (even outside), and saluting is not required when outdoors. This just sounds like a strange mismatch of things that don't add up right in my head (which is why I went to a mess dress now). What are your thoughts on the Enlisted Semi Formal attire?
I was looking through old pictures of me in semi formal and thought to myself, "how can this be authorized"? well I would like to pick the brains of all of you! here's the break down; white shirt (instead of blue) under the service coat, no name tape, all ribbons mandatory, no headgear (even outside), and saluting is not required when outdoors. This just sounds like a strange mismatch of things that don't add up right in my head (which is why I went to a mess dress now). What are your thoughts on the Enlisted Semi Formal attire?
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Responses: 18
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I was told years ago to buy a Mess Dress and then I saw the price and told my supervisor (under my breath) to get bent!! Well, for SNCO's it is not mandatory, but...everyone should have one. I got lucky with mine, because a Chief I know is retiring and gave me his, so that saved me a lot of coin.
As far as the semi-formal, it is a bit strange to remove some of the items and all of a sudden it is considered a different uniform.
As far as the semi-formal, it is a bit strange to remove some of the items and all of a sudden it is considered a different uniform.
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SSgt (Join to see)
totally agree! I had my mess dress tailored made in Turkey by the Turkish (way cheaper by the way) but at a ceremony not long ago at RAF Mildenhall I saw an E-8 in semi formal with me an E-5 in mess dress, needless to say the chief had a few words with him in regards to his décor (head smack). I still can't get over no head gear and no requirement to salute outside in semi formal it boggles my mind!
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Yea...go ahead and be a SNCO at an ALS grad rocking semi-formal and see all the side-eyes you get.
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Personally not a fan. I actually have a whole speech on why you should get Mess Dress as a SrA.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Agreed, you keep hearing that it is acceptable all the way up until the TSgt, MSgt level but to me it just looks trashy. I wish the Air Force would make it more affordable to wear the mess dress for the younger levels. Blues alone are mind numbingly expensive to purchase (with all devices and tailoring). Those medals on the mess dress are really no joke especially when you have a few deployments under your belt!
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
The Air Force's best kept secret. Average cost of a Mess Dress $500~ (including medals and alterations). Clothing Account limit that has no interest on a STAR Card? $500. Add to that fact that you don't even have to purchase everything all at once!
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SSgt (Join to see)
Very true but I would rather have my 70" television, KIDDING!! but on a serious note I have seen a lot of them left at dry cleaners for sale wayyyy discounted especially at Lackland (in case anyone is going for some training in the future) and when it comes to tailoring the mess dress you cannot beat the cost of the Turkish... They do one heck of a job as well!
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Yep, i tell Airmen all the time to hit up the local dry cleaners, Airmen's attics and even retiring SNCO's. I had one guy get the mess dress jacket and pants from the cleaners for $10!
WRT the 70", that is a different part of the STAR card that does charge interest.
WRT the 70", that is a different part of the STAR card that does charge interest.
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I think if a bowtie was authorized and you could wear medals, it would be better, it just seems lazy to me.
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LCDR (Join to see)
It's late to the forum, but that's my thought. It seems, if USAF is a descendant/brother of the Army, that since the Army has a "mess dress for those who can't afford mess dress", and it's the blues with ribbons and a BOW TIE, that should be the same for the USAF. Course, it was more noticeable in the Army when it was dress greens with a white shirt and bowtie, but that's beside the point.
Now, my Navy is showing, but the Navy's version is to take the service uniform (blues or whites), add a bowtie (to the blues), and swap the ribbons for mini-medals. Anyway, I digress...
Now, my Navy is showing, but the Navy's version is to take the service uniform (blues or whites), add a bowtie (to the blues), and swap the ribbons for mini-medals. Anyway, I digress...
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