Since this doesn’t apply to all who visit here, I’ll shove it below the line.

Looks like the ladies are getting some weird mixed messages from the board, but my biggest gripe is that we’re not going to be able to wear badges on the new utility uniforms that we earned while working with sister/joint services. I’m sorry, any zoomie that jumps out of perfectly good aircraft on purpose, they ought to wear their jump badge, just so we know they’re crazy.

FROM: HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//A1//

UNCLAS
SUBJ: 97TH AIR FORCE UNIFORM BOARD (AFUB) RESULTS

1. THE CSAF HAS APPROVED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 97TH AF UNIFORM BOARD THAT MET ON 20 OCT 05. MEMBERS INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM DESIGNATED AIR STAFF DIRECTORATES, EACH MAJOR COMMAND, AF RESERVE, NATIONAL GUARD AND THE CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE. ADVISORS INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM AFPC, THE ARMY AND AF EXCHANGE SERVICES (AAFES), AND THE AF CLOTHING OFFICE (AFC0).

A. APPROVALS

1. APPROVED ITEMS – EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

a. ON 28 SEP 05, CSAF APPROVED THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE IDENTIFICATION BADGE. THE BADGE PROVIDES A DISTINCT IDENTIFICATION OF MILITARY STAFF MEMBERS ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS, USAF (HAF) AND THE AIR FORCE SECRETARIAT (SAF). AFTER ASSIGNMENT, WEAR WILL INDICATE THAT THE SERVICE MEMBER HAS SATISFACTORILY SERVED ON THE AIR STAFF OT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE’S STAFF. PERMAENT WEAR OF THE BADGE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONNEL CURRENTLY ASSIGNED, OR PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED, TO A QUALIFYING POSITION FOR AT LEAST 365 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. THIS BADGE IS PROJECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN THE SUMMER OF 2006.
b. WEAR OF THE BLUE NAMETAG WITH THE AIR FORCE INFORMAL UNIFORM— ABBREVIATED RANK AND NAME ON ONE LINE (WORN BY RECRUITERS, FITNESS CTR STAFF, HAWC STAFF, WORLD CLASS ATHLETES, ENLISTED AIDES, HONOR GUARD, CHAPLAINS, AND CHAPLAIN ASSISTANTS)
c. STANDARDIZE CUMMERBUND WEAR (PLEATS WILL FACE UP FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN)
d. PROHIBIT WEAR OF SCRUNCHY AS HAIR ACCESSORY FOR WOMEN
e. HAIR PINS AND BANDS WILL MATCH HAIR COLOR (REVERSES 96TH AFUB) LONG HAIR WILL BE SECURED WITH NO LOOSE ENDS
f. HAIR COLOR/HIGHLIGHTS/FROSTING WILL NOT BE FADDISH AND WILL BE NATURAL LOOKING FOR HUMAN BEINGS (BLONDE/BRUNETTE/NATURAL RED/BLACK/GRAY)
g. NO SHAVED HEAD OR FLAT TOP HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN
h. SYNTHETIC HAIR CAN BE WORN AS LONG AS IT MEETS SAFETY AND MISSION REQUIREMENTS
i. BRAIDS, MICRO-BRAIDS AND CORNROWS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WOMEN
j. STANDARDIZE WIG/HAIRPIECE WEAR (ELIMINATE MEDICAL JUSTIFICATION FOR MEN)
k. IF DUE TO A TEMPORARY MEDICAL CONDITION (IE. RADIATION, CHEMOTHERAPY) RESULTING IN BALDNESS, COMMANDERS WILL AUTHORIZE THE APPROVED AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CAP (BLACK OR TAN), WIGS OR BALDNESS IN UNIFORM.
l. FEMALES WILL NOT WEAR SHADES OF NAIL POLISH THAT DISTINCTLY CONTRAST WITH THEIR COMPLEXION, THAT DETRACT FROM THE UNIFORM, OR THAT ARE EXTREME. SOME EXAMPLES OF EXTREME COLORS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, PURPLE, GOLD, BLUE, BLACK, BRIGHT (FIRE ENGINE) RED, AND FLORESCENT COLORS. NAIL POLISH WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE COLOR. (FRENCH MANICURES ARE ALLOWED). NAIL LENGTH WILL NOT EXCEED ¼ INCH FROM FINGER TIP.
m. IN ADDITION TO CLUTCH STYLE PURSE, WEAR OF CARRY TYPE PURSE WITH NO MORE THAN TWO STRAPS AUTHORIZED WITH MESS DRESS
n. REDUCE BRACELET SIZE TO ½ INCH. BRACELETS THAT SUPPORT A CAUSE, PHILOSOPHY, INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP ARE NOT AUTHORIZED. TRADITIONAL POW/MIA METAL BRACELETS ARE STILL AUTHORIZED. GEMSTONE/TENNIS BRACELETS ARE ONLY AUTHORIZED WHEN WEARING MESS DRESS UNIFORM
o. RINGS WILL BE WORN AT THE BASE OF THE FINGER AND WILL NOT BE WORN ON THE THUMB. WEDDING SETS COUNT AS ONE RING
p. EYEGLASSES WILL NOT BE WORN AROUND THE NECK; ON TOP OR BACK OF HEAD; OR EXPOSED/HANGING ON UNIFORM
q. EARRINGS FOR WOMEN WILL BE SMALL SPHERICAL, CONSERVATIVE DIAMOND, GOLD, WHITE PEARL, OR SILVER WITH ANY UNIFORM COMBINATION AND WORN AS A SET. IF MEMBER HAS MULTIPLE HOLES ONLY ONE SET OF EARRINGS WILL BE WORN IN THE LOWER EARLOBE. (CONFORM TO EARRING WEAR WHEN PERFORMING DUTY IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES)
r. OPTIONAL WEAR OF MALE FLIGHT CAP FOR WOMEN
s. AUTHORIZE OPTIONAL EPOXY BLUE NAME TAG, WORN ON THE BLUE SHIRT
t. AUTHORIZE THE WEAR OF THE FIRE FIGHTER DUTY BADGE WHILE AN INDIVIDUAL IS ASSIGNED TO A 3E7X1 DAFSC POSITION, INCLUDING PERIODS OF PME ATTENDANCE AND STAFF TOURS ABOVE THE GROUP LEVEL
u. AUTHORIZE THE WEAR OF THE SECURITY FORCES DUTY BADGE AND BERET WHILE AN INDIVIDUAL IS ASSIGNED TO 3PXXX DAFSC POSITION AND POSSESSES A 3PXXX PAFSC, INCLUDING PME ATTENDANCE AND STAFF TOURS ABOVE THE GROUP LEVEL
v. DISCONTINUE AWARD OF THE AIR FORCE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. MAY CONTINUE TO WEAR THOSE PREVIOUSLY EARNED AND A MATTER OR RECORD
w. PT UNIFORM-MANDATORY WEAR DATE SET AS 1 OCTOBER 2006 AND 1 OCTOBER 2005 IN THE AOR. SPECIFIC WEAR INSTRUCTIONS RELEASED ON MESSAGE DATED 17 NOVEMBER 2005.
x. CELL PHONES, PAGERS AND PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT MUST BE SOLID OR COVERED IN BLACK, SILVER, DARK BLUE OR GRAY AND MUST BE CONSERVATIVE. MAY BE CLIPPED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF WAIST BAND OR PURSE OR CARRIED IN LEFT HAND. ONLY ONE MAY BE WORN ON THE UNIFORM BELT. MEMBERS WILL NOT WALK IN UNIFORM WHILE USING CELL PHONES, RADIOS, HANDS-FREE HEADSETS UNLESS REQUIRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES USING A GOVERNMENT ISSUED DEVISE. MAY ONLY USE HANDS-FREE HEADSETS OR EARPLUGS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES USING A GOVERNMENT ISSUED DEVICE.
y. AUTHORIZE THE PERMANENT WEAR OF THE SCUBA BADGE ON THE BDU.

2. APPROVED ITEMS – MANDATORY DATE AND AVAILABLITY OF ITEMS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE

a. WOMEN’S MESS DRESS JACKET (REDESIGN INSIDE POCKET AND INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE FRONT CLOSURE)
b. MODIFY WOMEN’S SERVICE DRESS COAT (REDUCE LAPEL WIDTH TO ACCOMMODATE RIBBON VISIBILITY)
c. ELIMINATE MATERNITY JUMPER AND DESIGN MATERNITY SERVICE COAT (REVERSES 96TH AFUB)
d. MATERNITY WHITE FORMAL SHIRT, INVESTIGATE ALTERNATE FABRICS
e. INCREASE THE LENGTH OF THE SLEEVES ON THE MATERNITY LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT
f. AUTHORIZED USE OF THE NEW AIR FORCE UTILITY UNIFORM PATTERN FOR FLIGHT DRESS UNIFORM
g. AUTHORIZED DEVELOPMENT OF A-LINE SKIRT AS PRIMARY MESS DRESS SKIRT
h. REPLACE WOMEN’S OPTIONAL SERVICE DRESS HAT (BUCKET) WITH MEN’S SERVICE DRESS HAT (WHEEL)
i. AUTHORIZE WOMEN TO WEAR OXFORD, PUMPS, AND SLIP-ON SHOES WITH YOUR BLUE SLACKS AND/OR SKIRT

B. DISAPPROVALS:

1. DESIGN WOMEN’S MESS DRESS PANTS
2. DESIGN OPTIONAL WING-TIP COLLAR TUXEDO SHIRT WITH MEN’S MESS DRESS UNIFORM (FYI: FORMAL UNIFORM ALREADY ALLOWS COMMERICAL WING-TIP COLLAR IN AFI)
3. ADDING BUTTON TO LONG SLEEVE BLUE SHIRT (BETWEEN FOREARM AND EDGE OF SLEEVE)
4. FREE ALTERATIONS FOR FEMALE SHIRTS
5. REPLACING THE CIRCLES AROUND THE “US” FOR ENLISTED INSIGNIA
6. AUTHORIZE BLACK ONLY SOFT-SOLE SHOES FOR PERSONNEL ON PROFILE
7. MANDATORY WEAR OF TIE TAB WITH SWEATER
8. AUTHORIZE BLUE SOCKS WITH FEMALE SERVICE UNIFORM
9. WEAR OF GOLD STAR PIN ON AF UNIFORM
10. AUTHORIZE WEAR OF SISTER/JOINT SERVICE BADGES/INSIGNIAS ON BDU OR NEW AIR FORCE UTILITY UNIFORM
11. AUTHORIZE PERMANENT WEAR OF ARMY AIR ASSAULT FUNCTION BADGE
12. ADOPT AN AIR FORCE RIGGER BADGE
13. AUTHORIZE PHOENIX RAVEN PERSONNEL TO WEAR RAVEN TAB ON BDU/NEW AIR FORCE UTILITY UNIFORM
14. AUTHORIZE SERE SPECIALIST ARCH
15. AUTHORIZE PERMANENT WEAR OF US ARMY RANGER TAB/PATCH
16. AUTHORIZE PERMANENT WEAR OF A COMBAT PATCH
17. AUTHORIZE PERMANENT WEAR OF FOREIGN MILITARY BADGES ON THE SERVICE/MESS DRESS UNIFORM (CURRENT AFI GUIDANCE STILL APPLIES)
18. AUTHORIZE PT UNIFORM UNISEX SHIRT TO FIT WOMEN BETTER
19. AUTHORIZE MAJCOM/CC TO PERMIT WEAR OF DCU. ONLY EXCEPTION: PER 97TH AFUB – ENROUTE TRAINING TO BASIC COMBAT CONVOY COURSE (BC3)
20. DELETE BUTTON TAB FROM MENS SERVICE UNIFORM PANTS
21. REMOVAL, PLACEMENT OR CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE COMMANDERS BADGE

C. REFERRALS

1. AFCO
a. NEW AIR FORCE UTILITY UNIFORM PATTERN FLIGHT DRESS UNIFORM
b. INVESTIGATE FEASIBILITY OF A MULTIFUNCTIONAL COAT FOR WEAR WITH SERVICE UNIFORM
c. STANDARDIZE BELT LOOPS THEREBY ELIMINATING SMALL BELTS FROM INVENTORY BY ATTRITION
d. INVESTIGATE AVAILABILITY OF A MORE COMFORTABLE WOMEN’S LOW QUARTER SHOE IN ADDITIONAL WIDTHS
e. MODIFY FEMALE TIE TAB FOR BETTER FIT
f. INVESTIGATE FEASIBILITY OF A NEW FIELD JACKET OR COST COMPARISON TO ISSUE GORTEX FOR NEW RECRUITS
g. SEEK ALTERNATIVE FABRIC FOR PT UNIFORM
h. INVESTIGATE POSSIBILITY OF ADDING ANOTHER POCKET ON PT SHORTS
i. REDESIGN WOMENS LIGHT-WEIGHT BLUE JACKET TO MIRROR MENS LIGHT-WEIGHT JACKET
j. DEFERRED THE DELETION OF CARDIGAN UNTIL NEW PULLOVER SWEATER IS RELEASED AND SALES DETERMINE THE DESIRABILITY OF THE CARDIGAN
k. REDESIGN WOMENS BLUE SLACKS WITH INVISIBLE ELASTIC OR WITHOUT ELASTIC AND STRAIGHT LEG STYLE

2. AAFES
a. AAFES ASSESS AND REPORT ON POSSIBLE RENTAL OPTION FOR MATERNITY JACKET

3. DSCP
a. PROCURE FEMALE SIZED ISSUE BOOTS

4. AF/A3
a. DEVELOP AND PROCURE FEMALE FLY-SAFE BOOTS
b. DESIGN AERONAUTICAL DUTY BADGE FOR NON-CAREER AVIATORS

5. AF/A1D
a. ESTABLISH A PHASE OUT DATE OF BUCKET HAT
b. ESTABLISH A PHASE OUT DATE OF WOOL PULLOVER SWEATER

6. AF/A5E
a. EQUIPMENT INTEGRATION OF CAMELBACK WITH GAS MASK

7. 2AF/DO
a. COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF CAMELBACK ISSUE AT BMT VERSUS MOBILITY BAG ISSUE

D. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
1. ADD GUIDANCE IN AFI FOR OPTIONAL MATERNITY OUTERWEAR GARMENTS (MATRIX WITH OPTIONS)
2. ADD GUIDANCE IN AFI FOR GORTEX WEAR (IF WEARING PANTS, MUST WEAR JACKET, UNLESS IN DUTY AREA)
3. ADD CLEARER GUIDANCE FOR OCCUPATIONAL/DUTY BADGE PLACEMENT
4. ADD GUIDANCE IN AFI FOR ATTACHE/BRIEF CASES, BACKPACKS AND PURSES

E. ENSURE REVISED AFI ADDRESSES THESE ITEMS CLEARLY
1. DESIGNATED NO-HAT AREAS
2. WEAR OF WOMEN’S SERVICE CAP RAIN COVER
3. SMOKING IN UNIFORM IN DESIGNATED AREAS

F. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON ALL APPROVALS WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN THE NEXT UPDATE OF AFI 36-2903, WHICH SHOULD BE RELEASED MARCH 2006. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO YOUR LOCAL/MAJCOM POINTS OF CONTACTS.