Why are the utility uniforms in the Air Force so similar to the Army?

SPC(P) Delcina Myers — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 00:32:03 -0400

I was on Operation Waterfall in Northern Missouri back in 2008 when the Mississippi Levee broke, and we were working with Air Force (nice people). A soldier in the Air Force with the rank that looks like Major in the Army (not sure of the AF ranks) walks up. I was actually confused and wondering, "Why do I not know this person? My unit is a small unit, and I know everyone" because the name didn't sound familiar... Then I noticed the Air Force 'logo'... I did salute, but to this day I'm still confused as to why the Air Forces' uniforms are so similar to the Armys'. Any thoughts/answers?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 12:39 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 00:39:54 -0400

SPC Gasho,

Throughout the 80s and 90s all of the services had exactly the same uniforms the BDUs. Most of the other services had other variations, like the Navy's dungarees, the standard everyone worn was the uniform. The only difference was the service tape that said what service you were in and that the Air Force wore blue name tapes.

If you have been following the military news Congress has passed a bill that all of the services will go back to wearing a single uniform. The is the most efficient way for the whole DoD to operate because it saves millions on making different uniforms.

Finally the Air Force officer rank is exactly the same as the Army.

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Apr 23 at 2014 5:39 PM

SSG Genaro Negrete — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:39:04 -0400

I can't speak as to the exact mindset or reasons behind the choices made in uniform design, but I can most certainly speculate!

I always thought that the color scheme was chosen to be similar to the Army so that when airmen deployed, they could use out OCIE. Body armor, etc. A way of cutting cost for a force that doesn't move into a theater of operations on their own. If an airman is required to use said equipment in an operational environment, it is likely he/she will be in proximity to an Army ground force and can draw the same equipment without causing a drastic change in their appearance.

But many time's I've seen Navy and Air Force simply put on the entire uniform of the miltary branch they are working with and simply modify the service tape and rank to reflect Air Force requirements. Our JTACs and Air Force EOD down range wore multicam just like the rest of us.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 7 at 2014 1:56 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:56:11 -0400

Because deep down, the Air Force still wishes it was the Army Air Corps..... ;o)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2014 1:14 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 01:14:36 -0400

You should have some idea of each branches ranks, in Basic us Airforce guys were forced to learn each branch enlisted and officer ranks, but airforce is probably the easiest compared to army's enlisted ranks. officer ranks for airforce and army is the same and enlisted is in this order for airforce, E-1 Airman Basic (AB) slick sleeve, E-2 Airman (Amn) one stripe, E-3 Airman 1st Class (A1C) two stripes, E-4 Senior Airman(SrA) 3 stripes, E-5 Staff Sargent(Sgt) 4 stripes, E-6 Technical Sargent (TSgt) 5 stripes, E-7 Master Sargent (MSgt) six stripes, E-8 Senior Master Sargent (SMSgt) seven stripes, E-9 Chief Master Sargent (CMSgt) 8 stripes, following are names each can be called E-1: Airman or airman basic, E-2 Airman, E-3 Airman 1st Class or Airman, E-4 senior airman or airman, E-5 Sargent or Staff Sargent, E-6 Tech Sargent or Sargent, E-7 Master Sargent or Sargent, E-8 Senior Master Sargent or Sargent, E-9 Chief Master Sargent or Chief, if you notice the correlation with the stripes and the enlisted rank each rank is one less stripe! Good luck

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 22 at 2014 12:10 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:10:05 -0400

From the Army thou-est was born but shall not return...

Actually you folks have a better pattern with the tiger stripes. Army and Air Force O ranks are identical in name and apparel. Its the enlisted ranks, like with our Navy & Marine counterparts where everything goes Kaplooey from any branche's standpoint

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-all-branches-of-service-adopt-one-standard-rank-insignia

but I SHAMELESSLY digress...

Should all branches of service adopt one standard rank insignia? | RallyPoint

Putting tradition and nostalgia aside for this question and looking at the increase in joint environments, would it be less confusing and more efficient if the services agreed on a standard insignia on duty and dress uniforms?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 6:39 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 18:39:39 -0400

We Air Force cats used to be Army-Air Force and I suspect that and that we love to steal ideas as major reasons. :) l0l

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 23 at 2014 1:26 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 01:26:56 -0400

Beause we get along so well?

Response by MSgt Charles Johnson made Jan 21 at 2015 1:25 PM

MSgt Charles Johnson — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 13:25:14 -0500

I was Army then Retired as USAF. In all honesty, I cannot understand why we go through this over and over. A utility uniform which is colored for appropriate camo in the area of combat deployment is ideal. A basic green utility uniform was issued for decades without change. It was appropriate in any environment the "garrison" type was deployed to. Two uniforms seemed to do the job. Then the services decided to goof with them. Now we have Navy types wearing a bluish uniform, and several types of tan uniforms and all kinds of special service uniforms and its just another "pride" thingie. My vote...go back to the same two for all branches.

With that said, lets talk rank...there is a lot of history in the various ranks. Patches are inexpensive. It is important to uphold tradition. To remember history. To honor those who went before. I would never want to see a Navy type wear Army rank or a USAF wear Marine rank. That would be rank. lol.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 8:04 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 20:04:50 -0400

1. Air Force rank is the same as Army, we just wear blue for 1st Lt and Lt Col instead of Black. 2. Please don’t call a member of the Air Force a soldier. No disrespect, but we are (generally) proud of our aviation heritage. The term is Airman in the Air Force.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 8:07 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 20:07:49 -0400

1. We have the same officer ranks as the Army, the only difference is we wear blue for Lt Col and 1st Lt instead of black. 2. Please don’t refer to a member of the Air Force as a soldier. No disrespect intended, but we are very proud of our aviation heritage. So all members of the Air Force, pilot or not are “Airmen”.