Air Force Blue Uniform Wear

Rank Placement

Nameplate placement: Bottom of nameplate should be flush with top of Right pocket and centered between edges of pocket. Ribbon Placement: Bottom of ribbons should be flush with top of Left pocket and centered between edges of pocket and put in Order of Precedence from left to right. Male Shirt

1)Ribbons: Worn centered on the left side between buttons and arm seam, even with to 1 1/2 inches higher or lower than the first exposed button with 3 in a row. Bottom of ribbons will be even with bottom of nameplate. Wear all or none. 2)Nameplate: Blue, three-line, centered on right side even with or up to 1 1/2 inches higher or lower than the first exposed button, parallel with ground. Female Blouse

The center line of the shirt should line up with the center line of the pants. The silver buckle will line up with both to form a straight line. The silver tip of the belt will be at the edge of the buckle. Gig Line Unisex

The Hat Device should be placed 1 ½ inches from the front of the flight cap and centered on the flap. The device will be placed on the opposite side of the notched part of the cap. Flight Cap

Male Cadets Socks: Plain black calf length without design. Shoes: Low-quarters are worn with the AF Blue uniform. Shoes will be low quarter, oxford style, lace-up with a plain rounded toe. Male Cadets

Hair-Male. Tapered appearance on both sides and the back of the head, both with and without headgear. A tapered appearance is one that when viewed from any angle outlines the member's hair so that it conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point without eccentric directional flow, twists or spiking. A block-cut is permitted with tapered appearance. Hair will not exceed 1¼ inch in bulk, regardless of length and ¼ inch at natural termination point; allowing only closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck to touch the collar. Hair will not touch the ears or protrude under the front band of headgear. Cleanly shaven heads, military high-and-tight or flat-top cuts are authorized. Prohibited examples (not all inclusive) are Mohawk, mullet, cornrows, dreadlocks or etched design. Men are not authorized hair extensions. See Figure 3.1 for sideburns and for graphic examples of male hair standards.

Figure 3.1. Male Hair Grooming Standards.

Female Cadets Hose: Hosiery will be plain commercial, sheer, nylon in neutral, black or off-black, or dark blue shades that complement the uniform and the Cadet‘s skin tone. Patterned hosiery is not authorized to be worn with any uniform. Hosiery must be worn with the skirt and are optional with slacks. Socks: Plain black calf length without design to be worn with slacks if the Cadet does not wear hose or knee highs. Shoes: Low-quarters are worn with the AF Blue uniform. Shoes will be low quarter, oxford style, lace-up with a plain rounded toe. Or Pumps are worn with the AF Blue uniform. Black pumps will be low cut and rounded throat (the top opening) with a raised heel no higher than 2-1/2 inches (measured from the inside sole of the shoe to the end of the heel lift). The tip of the heel can not be less than ½ inch in diameter or larger than the body of the shoe. They will be plain, clean and serviceable, and without ornamentation such as buckles, bows or straps. The material will be smooth, scotch-grained leather or a manmade material. They may be high-gloss or patent finish. Or Slip on shoes are worn with the AF Blue uniform. Commercially designed step-in shoe where the top of the shoe goes over the top of the foot (not mule-types without backs) with rounded toe. Faddish styles will not be worn (e.g. extreme toes, pointed or squared, or extreme heel shapes). They will be plain, clean and serviceable, and without ornamentation such as buckles, bows or straps. The material will be smooth, scotch- grained leather or a manmade material. They may be high-gloss or patent finish. Female Cadets

Hair-Female. Minimum length is one inch to a maximum bulk of three inches from scalp. Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and any side of an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground. When in doubt, assess correct length of hair with Airman standing in the position of attention. hair lengths that would be below the bottom edge of the collar will be pinned-up with no loose ends. Bangs will not touch either eyebrow, to include an invisible line drawn across eyebrows and parallel to the ground. If worn, hairpins, combs, headbands, elastic bands and barrettes must match the hair color (i.e., blonde, brunette, natural red, black, grey), but hair must still comply with bulk and appearance standards. See Figure 3.2, for women‘s hair. Exception: While wearing the Physical Training Uniform (PTU), long hair will be secured but may have loose ends and may extend below the bottom edge of the collar.

Figure 3.2. Female Hair Grooming Standards

Female Hair Continued: The intent is for pinned-up hair to be styled in a manner that prevents loose ends from extending upward on the head. For example, when using a clip or hairpins, hair will not present the appearance of a ―rooster tail. When hair is in a bun, the bun must be a single bun; no wider than the width of the head and all loose ends must be tucked in and secured. When hair is in a ponytail, it must be a single ponytail; that does not exceed bulk and length standards and does not extend below the bottom of the collar (except while in the PTU). As with all hairstyles, a neat and professional image is essential. The intent is for pinned-up hair to be styled in a manner that prevents loose ends from extending upward on the head. For example, when using a clip or hairpins, hair will not present the appearance of a ―rooster tail. When hair is in a bun, the bun must be a single bun; no wider than the width of the head and all loose ends must be tucked in and secured. When hair is in a ponytail, it must be a single ponytail; that does not exceed bulk and length standards and does not extend below the bottom of the collar (except while in the PTU).

Hair accessories. If worn, fabric scrunchies, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands and barrettes must match the hair color (i.e., blonde, brunette, natural red, black, grey). Hair must still comply with bulk and appearance standards. Headgear must fit properly. Headbands or fabric scrunchies will not exceed one-inch in width. Ornaments are not authorized (i.e., ribbons, beads, jeweled pins). See Figure (photo of scrunchie)

Hair Continued: Braids, twists, micro-braids, French braids, Dutch braids and cornrows are authorized. A braid or twist is two or more portions of interwoven hair. If adding additional hair, it must be a natural looking color, similar to the individual's hair color. It must be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and not present a faddish appearances. Hair must not exceed bulk and length standards and must not extend below the bottom of the collar. Headgear must fit properly. All braids/twists, when worn will be of uniform dimension, no wider than one inch, with natural spacing between the braids/twists and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional and well- groomed appearance. When worn, multiple braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. ¼ inches), show no more than ¼ inch of scalp between the braids and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance. A braid/twist must continue to the end of the hair without design and following the contour of the head, and may be worn loose or in a secured style within hair standards in paragraph above. Exception: Micro-braids or twists are not required to continue to the end of the hair.

Examples

Unauthorized: Locs and shaved heads. Locs are defined as portions of hair that have been intentionally or unintentionally fused together to form a loc or locs. Shaved heads are defined as complete removal of all hair to the skin on the head or portions of the head. See Figures

Additional Items You represent your school, community, nation and family. Take pride in your appearance. The uniform must be worn correctly and completely at all times. The Flight Cap is to be worn while outdoors. No Exceptions. Uniform care: Skirts must be dry cleaned Shirts may be washed in a commercial washing machine. The shirt must be washed in cold water, on a gentle cycle and not placed in a dryer. This will allow the shirt to maintain its color. Slacks maybe dry cleaned or washed in a commercial washing machine. The slacks must be turned inside out and washed in cold water and on a gentle cycle. DO NOT PLACE SLACKS IN A DRYER! Allow slacks to air dry. Hang the uniform on hangers. Do not fold and put into back packs if doing after school activities or leave laying around at home. Pick up behind yourselves. You parents will appreciate you for doing so. Polish and clean shoes regularly. It protects and increases the life of the shoe. Restitution for violations.