Officials release revised ABU wear policy

Published Sept. 11, 2007
By Airman Samantha S. DeVries
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- On Sept. 5, Air Force uniform officials released a revised Airman battle uniform, or ABU, wear policy message to ensure Airmen know the standards of the new uniform as they become released for sale.

"The first wear message was very much theater-oriented because only deployers, general officers and command chiefs had the ABU," said Lt. Col. Shawna Morrill, the chief of the Air Force uniforms and recognition branch at the Pentagon. "Now that the uniform is becoming more available to Airmen, it's time to readdress the wear policy as well as talk about the winter items."

With a mandatory wear date of November 2011, the ABU or battle dress uniform can neither be mandated nor prohibited during this transition period.

While the base's military clothing store doesn't have the new ABU yet, they warn Gunfighters of the dangers of purchasing uniforms over the internet.

"There are things available [commercially] on the internet, but they are knockoffs," said Sandy Juul, sales manager for the Air Force Military Clothing at AAFES here. "We don't know if they are up to the Air Force's standards."

Many Airmen who want to get the uniforms immediately may be tempted to purchase them elsewhere, said Maj. Randall Smith of the Air Force Uniform and Recognition Branch.

"Many of these Web sites are advertising their uniforms as 'official' and 'fully certified,' however, no commercial vendors currently have Air Force certification," he said. "All uniforms must be purchased through Defense Supply Center Philadelphia or Army and Air Force Exchanges Service when they become available."

When they do become available, Airmen are reminded to properly wear and care for the uniform.

When wearing the new uniform, desert tan, crew-neck T-shirts are the only T-shirts authorized for wear while desert sand-colored turtlenecks can be worn in cold weather. ABU sage green boots can be worn with all utility uniforms. Desert tan boots are also authorized for wear with the ABU until the mandatory wear date.

Only the ABU patrol cap can be worn with the ABU outside of the area of responsibility, or AOR. Organizational caps are no longer authorized. Occupational badges are optional while patches are prohibited.

Starching or hot pressing the new uniforms is prohibited as heavy ironing will accelerate the overall wear of the fabric. When washing the ABU, detergent containing optical brighteners can't be used as it can diminish the near infrared protection. A listing of detergents that do not contain optical brighteners is available on the Air Force portal.

Additionally, a clothing allowance increase will go into effect in October to help offset the increased cost of the uniform. Airmen who choose to buy the new uniforms before their anniversary date in fiscal year 2008 will absorb the cost difference until they receive their clothing allowance.

"The several-year transition to the ABU will not be without its challenges, but we're confident that on-going communications and flexibility will ensure continued focus on mission and safety throughout this period," Colonel Morrill said.

As more information on when the uniforms will be released here becomes available, Airmen can read updates on the Gunfighter News Service at www.mountainhome.af.mil.

More information regarding proper wear and care of the ABUs can be found on the Air Force portal.

Officials release revised ABU wear policy

Gunfighter Videos

ACC News

Air Force News