Test uniforms hit the streets
by Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
Air Force Print News
2/6/2004 - WASHINGTON -- Airmen at two bases will get a first-hand look at the proposed new utility uniform Feb. 9 when the tiger-striped blue-, green- and gray-patterned ensemble begins its wear-test phase.
Officials will deliver the distinctive uniforms to testers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Langley AFB, Va. A uniform board official provided an update on the utility uniform and also released details about the fitness uniform.
This is the largest wear test the Air Force has done. Typically an item goes through a wear test at a maximum of three bases and 300 people. This test will be conducted at nine bases with 700 airmen participating.
“The Air Force is asking us what we need in a utility uniform and this is our opportunity to give our feedback,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jacqueline Dean, chief of the Air Force Uniform Board office. “One thing people should understand is that this is simply a test, nothing about the uniform is set in concrete. And that is why we need to get that feedback from the participants and via the Web site.”
The Web site is expected to be operational in April. The decision to launch the site in April was driven by a desire to allow testers time to wear the uniform. Officials also wanted others to see the testers wearing it and get the chance to ask them questions.
Sergeant Dean is asking people with constructive criticism, who have seen the actual uniform, to log on and answer the questions. Personnel officials will tally the data based on career field.
“For example, as a personnelist, I don’t wear my BDUs on a daily basis, whereas a maintainer or civil engineer would,” Sergeant Dean said. “We need to make sure we’re looking at the right data in the right context.”
Sergeant Dean said the board will take into account valuable suggestions and opinions that are concrete and have basis.
“We need to make sure we’re not being emotional,” she said. “We need solutions.”
Some solutions are already being addressed in the new design, Sergeant Dean said.
“The best features of the uniform are the permanent-press treatment and actual sizes,” she said. “This uniform is distinctive, easy to maintain and fits better. Our current battle dress uniform comes in four sizes. The new uniform will come in actual men’s and women sizes. Men’s pants will come in sizes 28 to 48 and the shirts will come in jacket sizes 34 to 52; women’s uniforms will come in sizes 2 to 24. It’s going to provide a much better fit.”
The test includes trying out two boots, one in suede and another that is a low-polish, low-shine black leather style. The suede boot will be tested in black, charcoal gray and tan. Sergeant Dean said high-operations tempo caused senior leaders to move away from the requirement to have a high-polish shine.
After the six-month test is complete, data is collected and evaluated to determine how the uniform stood up to conditions. Comments about style, color and a variety of issues will also be taken into consideration.
Other bases testing the utility uniform through July include Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Luke AFB, Ariz.; McChord AFB, Wash.; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Robins AFB, Ga.; and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Sergeant Dean also revealed details about the fitness uniform fit test and planned distribution.
“We have already developed the fitness uniform running suit, shirt and shorts,” Sergeant Dean said. “We need to do a fit test to ensure the patterns and sizes are accurate and will accommodate Air Force needs.”
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper introduced a new fitness standard Jan. 1. Development of a new fitness uniform is the next step. Enlisted airmen will be issued two sets of shirts and shorts and one running suit. Basic training recruits will receive the shirts and shorts first and the running suit following warrior week. People scheduled for deployment will also get priority. Officers must buy their uniforms. Sergeant Dean estimates that the new uniforms will be widely available around October.
The chief of staff’s biggest emphasis in the development of the uniform was to ensure adequate reflectivity features were incorporated throughout the uniform to keep people safe when running in the early morning or late evening, Sergeant Dean said.
The running suit is the same used by cadets at the Air Force Academy. Air Force blue provides the background and all of the piping is reflective white. Some features of the running suit include zippers under the arms, ventilation in the back, and pants zippers to help remove the suit without removing shoes.
The gray T-shirt has a reflective emblem on front and back. Shorts will have two pockets, one on a front leg to accommodate an identification card, and one in the waistband for a key. The shorts also have a reflective “V” on both sides and the Air Force logo. Shoes will not be issued with the uniform.
“We tried to go with items already in the procurement system to reduce the time with research and development,” Sergeant Dean said.
The Air Force Clothing Office insisted on conducting a fit/wear test to validate pattern sizes and fit of the uniform, Sergeant Dean said.
“The shirt and shorts were patterned after the Army; however, the Army clothing experts have raised concerns regarding their sizing and requested to partner with us in this test,” Sergeant Dean said. “This uniform also brings us up to speed with other services, who already have a fitness uniform.”
The fitness gear will undergo a fit test next month at Wright-Patterson AFB and the wear test will begin in March at both Fairchild and Wright Patterson bases.
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