Posted on 05/17/2006 5:56:34 PM PDT by SandRat
5/17/2006 - WASHINGTON -- Based on feedback received during visits with Airmen across the Air Force, the Air Force Uniform Board is reviewing several notional 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.” Another 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 sStaff 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.
Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice and Senior Master Sgt. Dana Athnos show off prototypes of the Billy Mitchell heritage coat in the Pentagon on Monday, May 15, 2006.. General Allardice is director of Airmen development and sustainment and Sergeant Athnos is a member of the Air Force uniform board.First MacPeak tries to copy the Navy unirorm now this Gen tries to copy the Marine Corps Dress Blues.
Can't the AF have an original uniform idea??!!!!
yuck!
I saw this today and thought to myself - thank God I just retired!
Not too bad.
Someday though it will be black with silver trim :)
The thing about a US military uniform is that one has to wear it all over the world. This includes different social conditions and in every concievable weather condition - wet, dry, very hot, extremely cold, etc.
The trick here is to get Denise Richards to model it.
Or get the Marines to design it.
I say ditch the blue and go with pink and greens (Green Billy Mitchell Jacket with khaki pants).
Now That would be sharp.
All I can say is....Y...M...C...A
When some of these photos staqrted getting emailed around the USAF last week, I thought it was a joke - a satire.
It is very depressing to learn it is true.
Can't the AF have an original uniform idea??!!!!
You are right.....
This new "uniform" sucks, and McPeak was an idiot...
Just my opinion, A retired Air Force Chief MSgt.
It's PIQUE, damn it.........not PEAK....grrrrrrrrrr
Four year USAF vet here.
My son will be retiring from USAF in one year.
My father is a retired USAF E-9.
I don't like it!
I always thought the Army Dress Browns (or whatever they was called) of World War II looked really good. I think a retro look would be a winner. People would see it and think of WWII bomber and fighter pilots.
Agreed. The cadet officers wore that combination at the military school I went to as a youngster. As you said, it looks sharp.
Of course you all know that it's really the General's wives that decide what the uniform will be.
I'm glad I retired 15 years ago!!! McPeak was bad enough, but this is just f*ing crazy!!!
They should have left the late 60's, 70's uniform alone. Why they want to look like doormen and space-twits, I will never understand. Bring back OG-107's and the good class "A".
And I thought it was the dry cleaners....
Pinks and Greens. The best uniform ever.
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