New Air Force Uniforms

A friend recently forwarded some pictures of yet another change to the Air Force dress uniform.  The CSAF, Gen. Mosely, wants a more historic or period looking uniform to replace the current one that looks like a "cheap sport coat."  For evidence of the uniform change, read the memo that's been circulating around from the senior AF leadership.  There are currently two iterations of the proposed new uniform.  One is dubbed the "Hap Arnold" and the other the "Billy Mitchell."  Although they do have a more traditional feel, I see several problems with the uniforms, especially with those who have unusual body types.  Then there is the issue of the Star Trek influence.  Without further ado, here are the photos, which I've slightly altered to protect the innocent (and not so innocent):

The "Billy Mitchell"

More "Billy Mitchell"

Male "Hap Arnold"

Female "Hap Arnold"

Group "Hap Arnold"

OMFG! Make is so #1!

What is up with the stars on the collar?  The Air Force already has a reputation for crappy uniforms and is a known haven of Star Trek geeks.  The "Picard" uniform only confirms that to everyone and will make us a laughingstock.

Please, please change these, I beg you.

UPDATE:

Further information I've received indicates that the "Hap Arnold" will be the issue service dress coat.  The "Billy Mitchell" is listed as an "optional" jacket and may be intended to serve as a semi-formal uniform or possibly a replacement to the mess dress.  It looks like these basic designs are what will be implemented.  Details such as badge and device placement are still in the tuning stage, and some facets of the uniforms may change as a result - lapel width and pocket flap size for instance.

Overall, I have to say that the designs have grown on me somewhat, but I still feel they need a lot of work.  One commenter hit the nail on the head by saying they scream "cop."

UPDATE 2:

Another blogger has some of the same pictures (unedited) linked over at the Mudville Gazette.

UPDATE 3:

Got some interesting slide comparisons from another source below.  Also, the belt loops for the waist belt will reportedly be added during tailoring.  Apparently, to account for proper placement depending on your gut size, the base tailor will place and sew the belt loops for you.  I'm sure this will cost a huge amount in addition to the normal alterations that we already have to get.

Comments

[John of Argghhh!]

Heh. I actually like the belts. They will *help* the orotund among you.

What I find more amusing is how many rows of ribbons there are *under* the first award for merit or valor.

But, while I am admittedly a slave to the more traditional look - my first thought of looking at the Billy Mitchell was... Cop.

[Matt W]

Why is it that all the services have become intent on ripping-off the Marine Corps' image in order to increase their stock with Americans? It began with the cammies, which first the army and now the navy virtually copied. Then came the Marine Service "C" uniform, which the navy cribbed for their sailors so they didn't have to look like rope-handlers around the office. And here's the Air Force, imitating the iconic Marine Dress Blues--a uniform that has remained unchanged basically since the American Civil War. When will the services learn that it's not the uniform that makes the man... it's the man in the uniform that makes the warrior. I hate to say that the boys (and girls) in (the new-and-improved darker) blue will suffer endless slings and arrows for their weak attempt at imitating a real American institution.

[Eric Blair]

I think they should drop the exterior pockets on those things. Its not like anybody puts anything in them anyway.

I think this whole idea is miscarrying.

[Andy]

It looks like the Air Force is doing the right thing now. There is a feedback email address you can send comments to at:

Uniformfeedback@pentagon.af.mil

I'm sure they will get an earfull.

[AJ McCracken]

For everyone that keeps calling the
Billy Mitchell prototype a copy of the
Marine Corps uniform, you folks need to
go take some more history classes. Or at
least go buy a couple of the Osprey Uniform
books. The Billy Mitchell prototype is a
copy of a uniform worn by Billy Mitchell,
which is what the US Army was wearing
during the early 20th century. This uniform
is descended from the old US Army blue
uniform, which the Marines themselves
copied theirs from. The only thing different
on this new version is the colour.

Yes, these uniforms need a little tweaking,
but after all the griping I've heard on the
current jacket, I think the Air Force, for
once, is doing the right thing when it comes
to what they want us to wear.

And frankly, I like the Hap Arnold jacket.
ESPECIALLY the belt. I'm not fat, and
frankly don't think that a minority of
fat people in the Air Force should set
uniform standards for those of us that
aren't.

AJ

[Russ]

yeah....so it basically works like this....the army and the navy got married and had two kids....the marines and the airforce. so to say that the navy or the army is copying the marines is like telling a dad that he really takes after his son.

[Caleb R. Pittman]

I think the "star trek" geeks might be on to something. The 'Billy Mitchell' style has a much more professional and military look. Lose the tie, its to corporate. People might actually start taking the Air Force seriously as a military organization again. Wouldnt that be nice.

[derek]

i like the new dress uniform i think it really puts us in the air force out and makes us look sharp and uniform

[dean torres]

the marines r under the navy and the army did not copy shit from the corps because we had dress blues before the marine designed theirs and wore the same service a or c uniforms they wore.

[Ken]

AJ...you are stupid..

"yeah....so it basically works like this....the army and the navy got married and had two kids....the marines and the airforce. so to say that the navy or the army is copying the marines is like telling a dad that he really takes after his son."

Army was first, then came the Marines, AND THEN the Navy,(then the coast guard) and finally the Air Force.

Army and Marines were founded at about the same time and it makes sense that there would be similarities.

Frankly, the Air Force returning to some of its heritage is well overdue. I prefer the Hap Arnold because it retains some of that heritage. It doesnt look like a cheap suit, nor does it look space age.

[ken]

Actually that was Russ that posted the stupid comment.

And Matt W....you are stupid too. I dont have to explain why....everyone else already has.

The cammies (digital) were copied BECAUSE they were effective. they were then adopted by the other branches (not ripped off).

Might I remind everyone that all the service branches are still DOD?

Once the new Uniforms are done I think they will have worked out all the problems, unlike the ACU and DCU which the USAF made a huge mistake on. Atleast the Marines did it right, They're uniforms atleast have tradition behind them something the USAF has to get back it to having some pride and relize why were here, and start acting like were part of the military again...

[The A1C of the AF]

Calm down. Could we cry a little less please? It's a uniform! And it sure as hell looks better than the leisure suits we wear now. For all you Devil Dogs crying that the AF just wants to copy your look... well let's just face it, your not all that hard core if your whining about uniforms now are you?

[PSL]

I have a question. Have you seen the USAF Honor Guard's uniform? It is basically the same current uniform except with a belt and white scarf. Take the scarf off and, then you have a great, sharp looking uniform here. The belt is also very attractive because it is not a regular belt like the examples above, but it has a silver pipping. Why not use what they already have instead of making a new uniform?

I don't think retro is always the best way to go.

[Claude Newton]

I did not like either of them, to retro. The Air Force is about the future not the past. Forget yesterdays look and look forward. Sub the uniform design out to Italians. I'm sure that they can come up with a very nice uniform, to reflect who the Air Force is. Not Kidding

[nate]

i like the hap arnold look. if you look closely, its essentially the same uniform as the air force used from 1947 to 1993 with the addition of the belt. when the air force was made a seperate service in 1947, they took the army air force uniform, made it blue and removed the belt. then in 1993 everything was changed. I think the Hap Arnold version represents the best of the air force;s heritage and looks the most military w/out looking like the early 20th century.

[Max Powers]

Don't these people have anything better to do? If there is a practical application for the new service dress (like the ABUs), then so be it. However, in a time when the AF is making drastic cuts to pay for the F-22, the last thing they need is a new service dress uniform.

[G. Thomas]

Hey - First of all, If you're going to knock the "new" uniform, educate yourself first. First of all, Hitler and his Nazis, (Luftwaffe, S.S., etc.) had dress uniforms with several differences that are obviously visible to anyone with regular eye site such as distinctly different collar insignia and the big red friggin arm band. Cops usually wear a badge and Picards tunic/SHIRT is clearly 2 different shades of color. A buttoned, pocketed uniform tunic has been standard for almost EVERY military organization for a long time now, weather you are a cop, a nazi, an Airman or any other type of fighting man. Not to mention, if anything is "New" it's the current "sport coat" style Air Force coat. The "New" Hap Arnold is closer to what the Air Force has worn for about 45 out of the almost 60 yrs of its existance. Thy've only worn the current cut for about 12 yrs or so. Study up on you're Cold War era Air Force Dress Blue uniform and you'll see what I mean smart ass.

[Kenneth L. Jones, SSgt, USAF (Ret)]

I don't think much of the current service dress, although I've never had to wear it. The coat does look like a cheap sports coat, and it clearly needs replacing. Personally, I prefer the Hap Arnold look with the belt and the winged propellers on the lapel. Nothing wrong with the current shade of blue, though. Or the patch pockets, although they should be fakes.

[ValleyForgeCaydet]

I love the Hap Arnold coat. It not only reflects the history of the air force, but it is also a big step up from the business suit worn today. It has a higher military presence about it. But there is one thing I would change. I believe the belt would look better in a corfram leather style, rather than blue cloth. It just seems like the uniform has too much blue. Maybe do something like the Army and Marine Corps have with a stipe down the trousers for officers, too.

[Jarhead Flyboy]

Who cares,when I was gettin some as a Marine(forgive me Chesty Puller),we only wore our dress blues to the Ball or when someone kicked the bucket,now I'm a forsaken flyboy,we only wear our blues when someone is in trouble..lmfao.Heck yeah I think the Air Force should embrace it's past---"The Air Force is about the future not the past. Forget yesterdays look and look forward."..remember,it's the past that creates the future.Many men and women have given up the ghost for a uniform,for a service and for our country,so it's crucial to always recall the past of your service,it's what gives you pride..not the cell phone in your pocket.

[aaron]

Some here think that the Air Force forgot how to be military. Things have changed and so did the Air Force because they had to. Base closings, and lately cutting more people each year (I actually signed up for that and got out 1 year early). Some things are lost in transition, oh well. Many I know have said it's gone too corporate. Gee, stay the same Air Force from the 80's to early 90's and no funding, or change to be a vital asset for the DOD. It's common sense...logic...something I know isn't used in the military often, but it's being used more often now than ever.

[SRA]

I think they should just make a decision and stick wth it for more than lets say 8 years. I know as long as they hem and haw we will have people crying and whining. We joined the AF it didnt pick us, so we need to S.U.A.C.( shut up and color)If we constantly bitch and moan it will keep changing because for some reason they care what we say or, seem to. So we will get the next uniform and we wear it and like it, you know be a peon in the military like everyone else not in the Pentagon. WE BITCH TOO MUCH!! Thats why we are called the Chair force and we are thought to be sissy's because we are too worried about what we are we going to wear than anything else!!!

Chiming in as a twenty-something female officer: Okay, I get it that when we're in the new ABU's, the uniform is supposed to be mainly functional, not necessarily flattering. But couldn't they do something about the proposed new female blues uniform so that we could look more professional and less frumpy? I'm proud to be in the Air Force, and I agree that the if the Air Force is ever going to have traditions as lasting as the other services they need to just pick some things and stick with them for more than a decade. It would be nice, though, if they could realize that men and women have different body types and take that into consideration when designing the women's uniforms.
Actually I think they should just leave the blues alone for now and focus on more important things (say, a war). Designing a new uniform in the middle of everything else going on seems like a complete waste of resources.

Now I know why the USAF fitness test has an abdominal measurement. Sampling for usage of the belt.