It looks better with a sidearm.
Posted on 06/02/2006 1:51:10 PM PDT by Paladin2b
Based on feedback received during visits with Airmen across the Air Force, the Air Force Uniform Board is reviewing several 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.” A 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 staff 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.
Yeh, looks like that uniform must be worn while walking the goose step. It's horrid. More German prison guard than U.S. Air Force.
I don't know about the uniforms, but the chairs should all be replaced with motorized scooters designed to look like F-15s.
Naaa. Too much like The Empire's uniforms in "Star Wars". Makes them look like bad guys. Kind of looks like some Communist countries' uniforms, too.
Who's the gay guy in the middle?
Naaa. Too much like The Empire's uniforms in "Star Wars". Makes them look like bad guys. Kind of looks like some Communist countries' uniforms, too.
Don't let the "you stole our uniform!" contingent of the Marines hear you say that.... ;)
It looks better with a sidearm.
Looks like a blued version of the Wehrmacht uniform.
Dump the Navy version, too. It has a sparkly gold cumberbund. Who the hell came up with that. Otherwise, it doesn't look too bad. Depending on the affair, you could actually wear funny non-regulation bow ties. I recall at a squadron dinner once, our wardroom all wore red ties with white stars a-spangling them.
Well, nothing we had was worse than those old-style covers the women had to wear. Talk about unflattering.
Nah. These blues are a dead ringer for the ones in the new Battlestar Galactica series.
Didn't care much for the 505 "bush Jacket" as a uniform, though -- but I still wear mine on photo-taking trips -- lots of roomy pockets...
Close .... but not quite.
It's not a First Sergeant star. The First Sergeant wears a diamond. The Chief shown in the photo is a Command Chief Master Sergeant, as indicated by the star.
Well, ya know, with the new ABU looking so much like the Jarhead version, may as well go the whole route. I'm sick to death of uniform changes - this (the ABU) makes three utility uniforms in my 20 years, and this new service dress will be the third as well. Glad I'm not doing this on a captain's pay anymore!
Colonel, USAFR
That would be the 1505s - my dad wore 'em. Not a pretty sight in the tropics - permanent sweat stains under the arms.
Not if you're a JAG. Lots of opportunity to wear the service dress (though not as much these days, with such a shrinkage in courts martial).
Geez... the Air Force has a real talent for creating uniforms that make it look like the Official Auxillary of the Salvation Army...
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