The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards Lesson 2, Chapter 1

Motivation • From the ancient Greeks to the Armed Forces today, the military uniform has represented a long and honorable tradition of devotion to one’s country. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What does the military uniform symbolize? • A public symbol of the nation’s defense forces • A long and honorable tradition of devoted service to country • Should be worn proudly and properly • Key elements for wearing uniform: neatness, cleanliness, safety, military image Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? • The AFJROTC uniform is the same, with certain exceptions, as that worn by active duty Air Force personnel. • It is important to honor the uniform and to wear it properly. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? • Service uniform for males • Dark blue service coat and trousers • Light blue, long-sleeved shirt • Dark blue tie • Service uniform for females • Dark blue service coat with slacks or skirt • Light blue blouse • Tie tab Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d) • Service uniform for both males and females • Form-fitting, properly fitting coat • Proper sleeve length • Proper coat length • Properly fitted trousers or slacks Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d) • Uniform do’s • Do wear the standard Air Force uniform properly. • Do wear the uniform on the day established by the SASI (usually at least one day each week). • Do wear the uniform • At other times specified by the SASI • When you fly on military aircraft • When participating in color guard or drill team Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d) • Do keep shoes polished and shined. • Do wear shoes appropriate for the activity. • Do keep badges and other metallic devices clean and free of scratches and corrosion. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d) • Do keep ribbons clean and replace them when they become worn, frayed, or faded. • If your unit is in a military high school, do wear the distinctive uniform required by the institution for special occasions or ceremonies. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards (cont’d) • Uniform don’ts • Don’t wear the Air Force commissioned officer sleeve braid or officer silver thread on flight caps. • Don’t wear the uniform with other clothing. • Don’t lend your uniform to someone not a member of AFJROTC program. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d) • Don’t allow articles such as wallets, pencils, pens, and combs to be visible. • Don’t wear earphones or headphones while in uniform, unless required by duty. • Don’t carry pagers or cell phones unless required for duty. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? • Standards for wearing the uniform consist of four elements. • Neatness • Cleanliness • Safety • Military image (MOST IMPORTANT) Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Jewelry standards • Cadets in uniform may wear • A wristwatch • Rings, but no more than three at one time • A neat, conservative wrist bracelet no wider than one inch • Female cadets may wear conservative earrings. • Male cadets may not wear earrings. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Eyeglasses or sunglasses • Must have conservative frames and lenses • Must not be faddish or have mirrored lenses • Cannot be worn around neck while in uniform Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Tattoos or brands cannot be obscene or advocate discrimination. • Excessive tattoos or brands will not be exposed or visible while in uniform. • No objects may be displayed through nose, tongue, or any exposed body part. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Specific female cadet guidelines • Hair • No longer than bottom of collar edge at back of neck • Conservative style • Should look professional and allow headgear to be worn properly • Must not be too full or high on head • Plain (if any) pins, combs, barrettes, etc. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Length of skirt may not vary beyond top and bottom of kneecap. • Skirt should fit smoothly, should hang naturally, and must not be excessively tight. • Hosiery must be worn with the skirt. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Specific male cadet guidelines: Hair • Must be clean, neat, and trimmed • Must not contain large amounts of grooming aids that remain visible in hair • Should not touch ears or eyebrows Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Specific male cadet guidelines: Hair • Should not touch collar, except for closely cut or shaved hair on back of neck • Should not exceed 1¼ inches in bulk regardless of length Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d) • Must not protrude below the front band of headgear • Must have tapered appearance on sides and back • Must not have bulk or length that interferes with wearing headgear properly • May not have foreign items attached • May have sideburns if they are straight, are of even width, and end in a clean, horizontal line • Must not have extreme or faddish styles or colors Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? • Active duty insignia of grade • An insignia is a badge or mark of office or honor. • The Air Force grade insignia system is broken down into two categories: • Officer grades • Enlisted grades • Enlisted grades are subdivided into two categories: • Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) • Airman grades Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

Enlisted Active Duty Structure • Airman Tier: Airman Basic, Airman, Airman First Class, Senior Airman • Non-Commissioned Officer Tier: Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant • Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Tier: Master Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

Officer Active Duty Structure • Company Grade Officers: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain • Field Grade Officers: Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel • General Officers: Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d) Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d) • First sergeants may hold the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt), Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt), or Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt). • These top senior NCOs hold a position of trust and responsibility as the link between the commander and the unit personnel. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d) • The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) • Holds highest position of any enlisted personnel • Acts as personal advisor to Air Force Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force • Provides information about welfare, effectiveness, and progress of enlisted force Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d) • The four Airman grades • Airman Basic (AB) • Airman (Amn) • Airman First Class (A1C) • Senior Airman (SrA) • For enlisted grades, the pay grade is always one more than the number of stripes. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d) • Air Force Junior ROTC insignia of grade • For officer grades, active duty grade insignia are very different from cadet grade insignia. • For enlisted grades, there are only slight differences between active duty insignia and Junior ROTC insignia. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d) • Cadets, like active duty personnel, may also wear other insignia (badges). • There are also ribbons authorized for wear on the Air Force Junior ROTC uniform, as they are awarded. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards