What are your views to the recent changes to the Air Force Uniform and Grooming Standards?

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 01:05:05 -0400

After reading the recent uniform board changes for the Air Force and the way they decided the changes, I’ve come to one conclusion—“…the inmates are running the asylum…” Some of the changes are good; however, most of them are ludicrous. A few of the changes are: [1] “…allow airmen to wear morale patches on certain days, [2] put hands in their pockets, [3] tattoo their scalps as part of an upcoming revision to dress and appearance standards and [4] allow airmen with piercings to wear transparent spacers, so their piercings don't close up…” What is your view of the recent changes? Reference: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/08/10/air-force-allow-scalp-tattoos-and-morale-patches-part-of-raft-of-changes-appearance-rules.html

Air Force to Allow Scalp Tattoos and Morale Patches as Part of Raft of Changes to Appearance...

The Air Force said that it made the changes based on feedback from airmen as part of the 2020 Uniform Board.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 14 at 2021 1:18 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 01:18:31 -0400

I think, just as I did when the army started lowering the standards, that these moves are indicative of a force falling into disrepair. Good order and discipline require that service members abide by strict standards, and the loosening of those standards leads invariably to a drop in discipline. I see absolutely nothing good coming out of such moves, and, frankly, I see the entire military falling apart at the seems as it tries its damnedest to become softer, more accepting, and easier for the very kinds of people who shouldn't be wearing the uniform in the first place. These changes, in conjunction with the various other issues that have recently caused a stir within the ranks--i.e. Marxist teachings in service academies, "diversity and inclusion" initiatives, and transgender acceptance policies--will indubitably cause our military to, at a minimum, become weaker as a whole, if not crumble entirely, as those who would have once made our branches the strong powers they have historically been choose not to serve due to the new and "improved" conditions. But then, one might infer from recent developments that this is entirely the purpose.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 14 at 2021 9:42 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 09:42:39 -0400

The hands in pockets and patches are fine. The transparent spacers seems practical...
I don't really like the new scalp tattoo policy, but I also say this. I have 5 tattoos. It's not lost on me that not long ago, my tattoos would have unofficially labeled me in a negative light.
I don't like the scalp tattoos, but I also understand that, years from now, they may be just as normal as my current tattoos...
So I don't like them, but I also refuse to be the old man who refuses to acknowledge cultural shifts and changes

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Aug 14 at 2021 10:29 AM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 10:29:42 -0400

Hands in Pockets??? Scalp Tattoos??? Morale Patches??? Really??? Transparent spacers in an Ear I could live with, Not in your Nose, Not in your Lip, Not in your Eyebrow. I could care less what you put in your Nipples or other Private Parts that don't show. The rest is BS, yes the Inmates must be running the Asylum.
If you can't keep standards for sharp appearance maybe the military isn't for you, Snowflake.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 14 at 2021 1:11 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:11:17 -0400

The Air Force had/has grooming standards? Next thing you'll be telling me they PT.

Sorry.. had to do it Semper Fi.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Aug 14 at 2021 1:33 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:33:20 -0400

Whatever they may be let us know because they'll change again soon.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2021 1:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:51:04 -0400

After this, the Coast Guard is gonna get taken more seriously than the Air Force.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 14 at 2021 2:19 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 14:19:05 -0400

Like nearly all uniform and grooming standard changes in any service, the main impact of this change will be to open up promotion opportunities by creating vacancies in the top enlisted ranks due to the number of E8's and E9's lost due to heart attacks, annurisms, and cases of appolexy.

[1] applies only to morale patches approved by the local command -- it should have been all the time (or as directed by the local command) not limited to just Fridays. Having a Casual Friday uniform standard makes no sense at all. Of course ever since its founding the Air Force has frequently worked to eliminate the misconception that it is a military organization so maybe casual friday uniforms fits well with the It's-Just-A-Job recruiting campaign of a few years ago.

[2] is long overdue for all the services. For once the Air Force is leading the way in a rational direction.

[3] scalp tattoos are limited to those for prosthetic purposes - which means they shouldn't be very noticeable and cannot be any sort of symbols, images, or tribal designs. This is a big yawn.

[4] if the Air Force is going to accept people with piercings or allow members to get piercings, then this makes sense. If not, it doesn't matter.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 14 at 2021 6:07 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 18:07:23 -0400

I love the Air Force Tiger Suit and the 12 in boot. They look like soldiers, where the Army look like piles of laundry. The blue stripes on the sleeves are sharp too. If you allow them to put their hands in pockets hundreds of E-9s will be out of work.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2021 9:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 21:51:53 -0400

OH GOD NOT HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS!!! AHHHHH!!! IT'S THE END OF THE AIR FORCE - JUST LIKE THE PONYTAILS AND BRAIDS FOR FEMALES IN THE ARMY ENDED US!!

Oh wait - that's right nothing happened. I say good for the Air Force. It ultimately doesn't affect me so I don't really care but I don't think it's going to be any downfall of the service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2021 3:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 03:48:31 -0400

Troops put their hands in their pockets anyway. Not that big of a deal. And for anyone who tries to tell me it's about discipline or professional image, eh not really. Some things aren't that serious.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 15 at 2021 9:03 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 09:03:24 -0400

I never served in the Air-force, and while their changes are looser than the Army’s most recent changes it is to be expected in our current environment. As many have said before me, after serving over 30 years I chose to retire so I don’t get a vote, I do feel sorry for how we will all look on a parade field. Joint commands will pull their hair out.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 15 at 2021 8:46 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 20:46:58 -0400

Isn't there military stuff for these people to be working on?

Response by SPC David Roberts made Aug 19 at 2021 2:49 AM

SPC David Roberts — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 02:49:53 -0400

I worry generally that the military is moving away from its mission of defeating America's enemies towards trying to become an instrument of a some woke politician's idea of social justice and that this is just one more spot of grease on the slippery slope. But after all, we are talking about the Air Force here, so maybe no one will notice the changes.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Aug 21 at 2021 11:30 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 11:30:33 -0400

The military has the "I want to play nice and give you some 'beads' if you re-enlist" attitude since Congress screwed-up the retirement system. I foresee much change within the next 15 years in the military, much of which will not good. The changes will be [1] no grooming standards [2] no 'general discharges' [3] weaker UCMJ [4] incentive pay for hard to keep MOSs and [5] unionization.