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.
Its very old school. Actually members of the Air Corps as well as the rest of the U.S. Army wore uniforms like this at the turn of the century and through the 30s I believe. The color was different though.
The Navy has had dress whites, and other all white, uniforms for a long long time. The new Ensigns commissioned at the same ceremony that I was wore them, IIRC. They weren't always polyester. I'm surprised they still are, it's a dangerous fabric to be wearing on a ship, it melts in a fire.
The Navy has had dress whites, and other all white, uniforms for a long long time. The new Ensigns, who were commissioned at the same ceremony that I was, wore them, IIRC. They weren't always polyester. I'm surprised they still are, it's a dangerous fabric to be wearing on a ship, it melts in a fire.
Excuse me I'm about 15 mins behind.
The high collar version needs to lose the button located 2 inches below the belt.
It's not a mess dress, it's a service dress, uniform. They are worn when one wants to not look like one just came in from the field. The current practice of wearing BDU's, ACUs, or whatever for all occasions, bothers me somewhat. The Army is the worst about that. The Marines don't do it much at all, I must hasten to add. They have to wear the Alphas when traveling by commercial air for example, and they where them for meetings outside of military bases and/or with non military personnel, such as contractors. The Air Force is somewhere in between. The Navy is ... well.. the Navy, with more uniforms and combinations than the Army and Air Force put together.
A couple of weeks ago Jay Leno had an all military audience, only the Army guys were in utility uniforms. (Desert Cammo). The Air Force was in Service Dress, the Marines in Dress Blues, and the Coast Guard and Navy in uniforms comparable to the Service Dress of the AF or to Marine Alphas (not as fancy as the Dress Blues, which IMHO are the sharpest uniforms of any service.)
With the jump wings, probably a zoomie.
Ooh-la-la.
:)
But they were comfortable, if not too heavily starched. Both Army and Navy had similar uniforms at the time. I wore 1505s as an AF ROTC cadet in the early '70s. In fact at field training, we only had 1505s and fatigues. (plus that awful plastic raincoat)
Got the collar, but the coat is double breasted, not much the same look at all.
Bah. All the services should go to common uniforms, including dress uniforms. It's a waste of precious taxpayer dollars to endlessly redesign and field uniforms for each service.
There should be three uniforms: a daily wear/work uniform, a dress uniform, and a formal uniform. What the hell else do you need?
Agreed.
That's what I thought as well. Waffen SS.
The collar makes it look out of the '20's. A comparison to a WWI German uniform might be more apt.
I hadn't thought about that; Ya'all have to buy a new uniform each time it changes?
I think the flightsuits are nice. They should just issue some made of stiffer cloth for formal occasions, to be worn with a leather bomber jacket, and those shades. THAT'S how I picture the Air Force. :-)
I'm being funny. Ha-ha, with the playful ribbing and such. :-)
Waffen SS uniform. The collar is completely different, as is the color. (This is a Hollywood reproduction though, from a site that sells props and wardrobe.
The current AF uniforms, and the ones preceding them look more like WW-II Luftwaffe than these new ones, especially the high collar "Mitchell" version. The WW-II German uniforms had large squarish collar tabs. The belts did not match the fabric of the uniform either. They used shoulder boards, not epaulets.
Of course, although there is alway a considerable period where one can wear either the new or the old uniform. Like is currently the case with the old "Forrest" BDUs and the new digital ACUs. The army guys can even wear the new tan "rough out" boots. (well new by Army standards, they've only been around since the early '90s) with any of the three utility uniforms. By all accounts the troops like 'em. One Lt. Col. got his first pair last year when he was TDY (for several months) to Southwest Asia, and now wears them most every day, even though he is back to the "forest" BDUs.
"It's not a mess dress, it's a service dress, uniform"
I realize it is service dress/class A etc...never/very rarely used...
I have yet to wear/own a mess dress....
Well being a retired reserve Air Force officer working on an Army post (even the contractors are mostly retired or at least former Army) I'm a bit prickley about such "playful" ribbing. But I'm starting to feel comfortable enough with the folks to give it back, and they find they don't really enjoy playing games of wit with me. But the worst offender, being a Texas Aggie, just keeps coming back for more.
But, OTOH, I hadn't seen him for a while until yesterday, and he seemed glad to see me. Probably just trying to set me up for another attack. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.