Dress and personal appearance is the member’s responsibility

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., Sept. 23, 2011 — In July the Air Force released the latest edition of AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance Instruction. For me, the AFI is now more user-friendly and can attract the attention of the many varied types of learners. The new format caters to the needs of the visual learner by having numerous colorful pictures of the correct wear of the various uniforms.

With tables now incorporated into the sections, there is no longer the inconvenience of scrolling down to the end of the AFI to view and match the material listed several pages above. Each section is very specific and conveniently covers a different uniform completely, from beginning to end.

"This three-year effort included Airmen from all walks of Air Force life ... military training instructors, recruits, recruiters, first sergeants and Air Force leadership from all levels, professional military education instructors, functional communities, and support organizations to name a few," said Ruth Ewalt, the Air Force Uniform Programs and Policies chief at the Air Staff. "This Air Force instruction was influenced by a huge population of Air Force service members because it impacts the total force."

While reading the new instructions, I found a few areas that are worth mentioning as a reminder to Barksdale Airmen:

· Effective Nov. 1, 2011, the Airman Battle Uniform will replace the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform on

· Addition of a section on the proper wear of the Sage Green Fleece, 6.1.10, and the physical training uniform, Chapter 7

· Examples of inappropriate clothing during official travel in civilian wear include: ripped, torn, frayed or patched clothing, tank tops, extremely short shorts or skirts, undergarments worn as outer garments, bathing suits, sandals, and any garments which are revealing or contain obscene, profane, or lewd words or drawings, 1.3.5

· Wear or use of an earpiece, any blue tooth technology or headphones, while in uniform, indoors or outdoors, is prohibited, unless specifically authorized for the execution of official duties. The exceptions are headphones and earphones such as IPods, MP3 type players, etc. are authorized during air travel or while wearing the physical training uniform during individual or personal PT in the fitness center or on designated running areas unless prohibited by the installation commander, see 6.3.3.1.

· Gym bags will be solid dark-blue or black in color with matching stitching and carried in the left hand. When wearing ABUs, Airmen can also use olive drab, Air Force sage green or ABU patterned gym bags. Small logos are authorized, see 6.3.4.2

· Some male hairstyles are prohibited. Prohibited examples are: Mohawk, mullet, cornrows, dreadlocks or etched design. Men are not authorized hair extensions.

· In civilian attire on official duty on or off a military installation: With the exception of earrings for women, see paragraphs 6.3.1.1, all members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to and or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part, this includes items visible through clothing, see 3.5.2

· In civilian attire off duty on a military installation: With the exception of earrings for women, see paragraphs 6.3.1.1, and areas in and around military, family and privatized housing, all Air Force members are prohibited from attaching, affixing and or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part, which includes items visible through clothing, see 3.5.3

· Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials, etc. The use of yellow gold, white gold, or platinum caps, permanent or temporary, merely to add ornamentation to the teeth and not required by dental or medical necessity is prohibited. Waivers are not required for Air Force members or recruits with permanent yellow gold, white gold or platinum caps that were applied as a result of dental or medical necessity. Members with official documentation that they received permanent yellow gold, white gold, or platinum caps which were not applied as a result of dental or medical necessity, prior to 13 June 2011, are grandfathered. No other dental ornamentation is grandfathered, see 3.5.4

· Initial accessions must disclose any tattoos or brands and receive appropriate Air Force Component Recruiting Service review to determine eligibility when questionable for enlistment or appointment. Complete removal or alteration of unauthorized content or excessive tattoos, brands, or body markings is otherwise required prior to being accepted in the Air Force, see 3.4.4

The revised AFI specifically highlights the role and responsibility of the member in knowing and wearing the uniform properly since it is a direct reflection of the USAF.

I know as a member that I have a responsibility to keep my uniform clean and in good repair. Also, I am responsible for knowing the authorized uniform combinations and the correct placement of ribbons, insignia, badges and other uniform items. The new AFI has made that responsibility much easier for me.

For additional guidance on dress and appearance information, go online to the dress and appearance webpage on the Air Force Personnel Center's website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/dress/index.asp.