Effective June 1, 2020, the following items will be required when wearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern utility uniform in the Air Force: coyote brown boots, coyote brown T-shirt, U.S. Flag spice brown color criteria, spice brown officer rank, and green or coyote brown socks. As the deadline approaches, Airmen are encouraged to begin purchasing these items if not already owned. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman Amanda Lovelace)
Actually, 36-2903 was updated 21 May 2020 with the following:
5.2.3.1 – Effective 1 September 2020, officer rank insignia will be Spice Brown.
[Exception: First Lieutenant and Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia will be Black].
5.2.6.1.1 – [Note: Current subdued black and green (cloth) U.S. flags may be worn
until 1 September 2020, then spice brown will be the only accepted version]
5.2.7 – [NOTE: Effective 1 September 2020, Airmen will only wear the Coyote
Brown (Tan 499) T-Shirt.]
5.2.11- [NOTE: effective 1 September 2020, Airmen will wear DLA-issued Green socks or
Coyote Brown socks.]
7.4.3.2. Tan or Coyote Brown Boots. During initial transition Airmen may wear either Tan
or Coyote Brown boots with the OCPs. On 1 September 2020, only Coyote Brown boots
will be worn with the OCP.
“Spice” brown? Seriously?
“He who controls the spice controls the universe.”
“Nutmeg” was probably just too fabulous. “The spice must flow!”
DA PAM 670-1 3 February 2005:
Chapter 28-2
“Subdued, embroidered insignia for woodland camouflage uniforms is black block
lettering or appropriate design, on olive-green cloth backing. For desert camouflage uniforms, it is spice-brown block lettering, or appropriate design, on khaki cloth backing.”
We had brown sewn on, then we were ordered to redo in black in 2003.
I still have trouble with the double-think that was “Foliage Gray” so don’t feel bad.
Finally, some sensible use of taxpayer money! Guess everyone has the training and equipment they need, now we can focus on what color socks people wear.
Some former Army Sergeant Major probably crossed over into the blue. He got everyone to stop walking on Command Master Sergeant’s grass and needed a new project.
This is a bold and risky move on part of the AF.
Why is the CAPT/O3 subdued insignia now brown when it is black for every other branch.
The full color for O2s is silver just like for O3s yet the subdued version for O2s remain black. There seems to be no logical reasoning for which silver and gold insignia become spice brown vs black. Confusing and unnecessary.
The only 2 black ranks are ones that could be confused for others, 1LT and LTC.
I see you’ve played the National Guard game of old Specialist or Lt. Colonel?