The 98th Air Force Virtual Uniform Board (they really ought to consider renaming that thing) released a policy message last month dictating wear of the new Air Force sage green fleece as an outer garment for the airman battle uniform. (italics mine)
According to the message, the sage green fleece which is made from Polartec® Thermal Pro® may only be worn over the ABU top. It is not authorized to be worn solely over a T-shirt or thermal underwear when worn as an outer garment. So at least it can actually be worn as an outer garment but once again the fashion police take precedence over operational value.
According to the message signed by Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel, at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, authorized wear of the sage green fleece requires the following:
– a Velcro ABU print last name tape with dark blue block lettering, centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on the wearer’s right chest,
– a Velcro ABU print U.S. Air Force tape with dark blue block lettering, adjacent to the name tape and centered between the zipper and sleeve seem on the wearers left chest,
– a Velcro subdued cloth rank with a solid sage green background, flushed and centered above the last name tape on the wearer’s right chest,
– the fleece must remain zipped no lower than halfway between the name tape and the collar,
– the collar must be folded over and resting on the shoulder, chest and back when the zipper is not completely zipped,
– the bottom length of the fleece must be as close to length of ABU top as possible,
– the sleeves must be worn down at all times, (obvious shoe cleriksm right here. They are always up in arms over flight suit sleeves pushed up)
– the fleece must be kept in a neat, serviceable and professional appearance at all times.
Items authorized for wear with the fleece include black or sage green leather, suede or knit gloves, black or sage green watch caps, black scarves that are tucked in, and black ear muffs. Yes, black earmuffs. I have never actually seen anyone wear these so if you have a picture please send it in.
The uniform board has authorized wear of the sage green fleece without name tapes and rank as an outer garment until Oct 1, 2010. Both the black and the green fleece without tapes and rank may be worn as a liner to the all-purpose environmental clothing system, or APECS. The black fleece will phase-out Oct 1, 2010. You will only need name tapes and rank if it is worn as an outer garment. Naturally, the sage green fleece jackets will be made available first to deployed Airmen and eventually available at AAFES/MCSS. ADS also offers the Gen III clothing so you might want to check them out.
Looks an awful lot like the Level 3 garment found in ECWCS Gen III to me. Sage Green, Foliage Green. Is there really a difference? So, all told, big win for Airmen. They get to wear a practical garment at home station. Also, big win for the shoe clerks who seem to ruin every good idea with rules that make no sense.
The Air Force Personnel Center has launched a new website dedicated to uniforms. While it highlights all of the Air Force’s Garrison uniforms, the most appropriate ensemble in the inventory looks to be the Informal Uniform. Seemingly designed for their endless Casual Friday, it consists of a blue polo shirt and khaki slacks (yes, we said slacks). In reality it is intended for select Air Force organizations while traveling or under conditions where the other uniform combinations would not be appropriate. No mention is made of any of the service’s combat uniforms unless you count the poorly monikered Airman Battle Uniform.
