1. The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1

2. 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.

3. Lesson Overview What does the military uniform symbolize?
What is the history of the uniform?
How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?
What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?
What are special team uniforms?
What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming?
What are the insignia of grade?

4. Quick Write
List the first three things you think of when you see a person in uniform.

5. What does the military uniform symbolize?
The uniform symbolizes the nation’s defense forces and 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

6. What is the history of the uniform? (cont’d)
The origin of the military uniform goes back to an early date in Western civilization.
Athenian and Spartan soldiers in Greece dressed according to position in military formations.
Heavy infantryman
Light-foot soldier
A national army with a standard uniform appeared in England during the Great Rebellion (1642–1646).
Units identified by colors and standards
From this start, the military uniform evolved

7. 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.
What are some exceptions?
It is important to honor the uniform and to wear it properly.

8. How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?
Cadets may not wear the uniform
While hitchhiking, in demonstrations, for crowd control, during political events
Cadets may wear the uniform
While acting as ushers, parking lot attendants, runners, or at discretion of SASI

9. How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)
Parts of the Hatch Act bar military personnel from engaging in any form of public political activity while in uniform.
These activities include
Attending rallies and political speeches and passing out fliers
Publicly supporting a political candidate, party, or political issue

10. How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)
However, members of the military
Are encouraged to vote
May place political bumper stickers or signs on own vehicles or private property
Can participate in political events if not in uniform and if not identifying selves as military members

11. How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)
Military personnel in uniform also cannot participate in events where it might be implied that the Air Force supports a particular cause.
Public speeches, rallies, interviews, picket lines, and marches
Activities that might imply Air Force endorsement of a commercial interest
Private employment

12. How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)
Most Air Force Junior ROTC units have published information on the cadet uniform and how to wear it.
These are usually based on three publications (see AFJROTC Cyber-Campus Web site):
AFI : Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel
AFJROTCI : Air Force Junior ROTC Operations
AFJROTC Uniform and Awards Guide

13. What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?
Service uniform for males
Dark blue service coat and trousers
Light blue shirt
Dark blue tie
Service uniform for females
Dark blue service coat with slacks or skirt
Light blue blouse
Tie tab

14. 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

15. 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).
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
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.
Do keep ribbons clean and replace them when they become worn, frayed, or faded.

16. 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.
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.

17. What are special team uniforms?
Special teams are
Color guards
Honor guards
Saber teams
Drill teams
Special teams may wear additional uniform items or wear a distinctive, yet conservative, uniform of military style.

18. What are special team uniforms?
Except for color cords, these items or uniforms are worn only when performing duty as a member of a specialized group.
Greater latitude is permitted in design of open competition drill team uniforms.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)
Specific female cadet guidelines
Skirt
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.

24. 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
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

25. What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)
Hair con’t
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

26. 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
Subdivided into two categories:
Airman
Noncommissioned Officers (NCO)

27. 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.
* If you join the military, you will come in with A1C

28. What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)
Proper methods of address when speaking to NCOs
“Chief” for a Chief Master Sergeant
“Sergeant” for all other sergeants
Use full titles in official correspondence.

29. What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)
Proper methods of address when speaking to officers
“Lieutenant” for a Second Lieutenant and a First Lieutenant
“Colonel” for either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel
“General” for all generals
Use full titles for official correspondence.

30. What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)

31. Quick Quiz on Officer insignia

32. Quick Quiz on Enlisted insignia

33. What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)
Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs)
Five Noncommissioned Officer grade insignias
Airmen serving in the grade of staff sergeant through chief master sergeant

34. What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)
First sergeants: diamond device above star on chevrons
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.

35. 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

36. AFJROTC Cadet insignia
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.

37. AFJROTC Cadet insignia

38. AFJROTC Cadet insignia
Cadet enlisted grade insignia
Cadet Airman—pointed chevron of 1 stripe, with torch in the middle
Cadet Airman First Class—pointed chevron of 2 stripes, with torch in the middle
Cadet Senior Airman—pointed chevron of 3 stripes, with torch in the middle
Cadet Staff Sergeant—pointed chevron of 4 stripes, with torch in the middle

39. AFJROTC Cadet insignia
Cadet Technical Sergeant—pointed chevron of 5 stripes, with torch in the middle
Cadet Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 6 stripes, with one stripe inverted above the torch in the middle
Cadet Senior Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 7 stripes, with two stripes inverted above the torch in the middle
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 8 stripes, with three stripes inverted above the torch in the middle

40. AFJROTC Cadet insignia
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.

41. AFJROTC Cadet insignia

42. AFJROTC Cadet insignia

43. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards
Lesson review
The military uniform is the public symbol of our nation's defense forces.
The military uniform evolved over centuries.
It is important to know how to wear the Air Force uniform properly.
Certain restrictions apply to wearing the military uniform.
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

44. Lesson review (cont’d)
The AFJROTC uniform is similar to that of active duty Air Force personnel.
Most AFJROTC units have published information on the cadet uniform and how to wear it.
Special teams may wear additional uniform items.
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

45. Lesson review (cont’d)
Drill team uniforms allow greater flexibility for completing routines.
There are guidelines for appearance and grooming for male and female cadets.
The standards for wearing the uniform are neatness, cleanliness, safety, and military image.
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

46. Lesson review (cont’d)
Grade insignia identify the rank of each member of the Armed Forces.
The Air Force grade insignia system is broken down into officer grades and enlisted grades.
Enlisted grades are subdivided into Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) and airman grades.
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

47. Lesson review (cont’d)
For enlisted grades, JROTC cadet grade insignia and Air Force active duty grade insignia vary only slightly.
For officer grades, JROTC cadet grade insignia and Air Force active duty grade insignia are very different from each other.
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

48. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards
Summary
What does the military uniform symbolize?
What is the history of the uniform?
How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?
What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

49. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards
Summary (cont’d)
What are special team uniforms?
What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming?
What are the insignia of grade?
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

50. Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards
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Done— The military uniform and appearance standards
Next— Customs and courtesies for Air Force Junior ROTC
Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC
Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards