Airmen say bye bye to BDUs Nov. 1

Airmen will convert from the Battle Dress Uniform to the Airman Battle Uniform and will no longer be allowed to wear tan or desert colored boots, starting Nov. 1, 2011. The change stems from a uniform board decision made more than two years ago to provide the Airmen with a utility uniform appropriate for current overseas operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Marissa Tucker)

Airmen say bye-bye to BDUs Nov. 1

Published Oct. 26, 2011
By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C -- Airmen will bid goodbye to several uniform items that will be deemed "out of regs" Air Force wide, Nov. 1.

The long worn Battle Dress Uniform will be completely replaced with the Airman Battle Uniform. Also, Airmen will no longer be allowed to wear the tan or desert colored boots while at home station. All Airmen here are required to maintain the standard on day one of the change, said Chief Master Sgt. Blake Malpass, 4th Fighter Wing Command Chief.

"It is important for supervisors and for Airmen to enforce the standards," Malpass said. "Regardless of how we feel about it, we cannot pick and choose the rules we decide to follow."

This is the third uniform change for the chief since his enlistment into the Air Force in 1984, and he anticipates the change to go smoothly. With any change, there will be some road bumps, but with proper enforcement and compliance with the rules, things should go smoothly, Malpass said.

There are other changes that have already been included into Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Appearance Standards this year, including additions such as prohibited hair colors and dental ornamentations and approval of certain cosmetic tattoos for medical reasons. The new AFI also includes photos and charts to better show regulations.

"Airmen should periodically review 36-2903 for updates, because it directly affects each one of us every day," Malpass said. "We all must convey a professional image every day, no matter what change may come down."

The Army Air Force and Exchange Service here is aware of the changing regulation and is prepared to meet the needs of Airmen here by keeping a well-stocked supply of uniform items, officials said.

Airmen with questions about the new regulation can view AFI-36-2903 on Air Force e-publishing website or visit the Air Force Personnel Center's uniform information Website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/dress/index.asp. Supervisors are encouraged to ensure their Airmen are complying with the regulation beginning Nov.1.