Abu

[Airbourne Infantry]

I had a color guard the other day at a BIG rivalry football game. So I get there and start helping uncase the flags, run through the sequence, give the press box the list of names in the color guard and the CD to play the National Anthem when out of nowhere....a Cadet in my Flight shows up in ABUs!!! Thankfully he wasn't in the color guard though. I guess you could say I sat down with him and gave him a strict and aggressive direction change. Needless to say he disagreed and asked me why I always had to rain on his parade. It was completely ridiculous. I don't know how he got a hold of the ABU uniform, let alone the (ugly) green boots that go along with it but there he was looking as if he was showing off a new car or something. What are your thoughts on this? Was I too harsh on him?

[OrienteeringOH]

Well, there isn't an instruction forbidding the purchase of them, however I do agree that if the rest of you were in blues, than he should have been as well. We authorize BDUs, and as we are close to a base some of the "Die hard" Cadets with connections decided to purchase ABUs. They paid for it out of their pocket, and can only wear them when they're..well, alone.

Ultimately I don't think you were too harsh on him. Maybe he just didn't know, but breaking the uniformity of the group isn't right.

:(

[flyBoy2010]

Did he buy them himself. Did he ask your SASI if he could wear them? What was everyone else in: Blues or BDU's? If the answers are yes, yes and BDU's then I would say that it is ok. Otherwise make him ok it with your SASI before he wears them again.

[Airbourne Infantry]

Those in the color guard were in the Service Dress uniform (blues). Yes, he bought the ABUs out of his own pocket as well as a number of other materials. However, he wore the ABUs simply to show them off. He was in no way a part of the color guard and was only attending the game as a spectator. Also, he was wearing his JROTC rank insignia with the ABUs along with his name tape and 'AFJROTC' name tape. I don't know if there is really even a directive on how to wear the ABU for JROTC Cadets but at least for the BDUs you need the AFJROTC patch as well as your school/unit patch. He had none of those. In all honesty, I don't think any JROTC Cadet should be wearing the ABUs as of yet. They are an active duty uniform and have not all been issued to all of the Air Force Personnel yet and until they are, I don't think we have any business wearing them regardless of our "connections".

[flyBoy2010]

Some AFJROTC units have gotten the ABU's and unless your instructor or staff decided that ABU's should be banned, then I think that if he was wearing the uniform without disrespecting it then he is okay in wearing it. You should bring the issue up at the next staff meeting. Maybe you decide that he cannot wear the ABU's for a uniform grade, but you can't say "you can't wear the ABU's you bought with your own money." If he wants to wear them with the unit and AFJROTC patches then as long as he's accting like he was in his blues or any other uniform, then I see no problem with that.

It's all about respect.

[Drill for life]

I see nothing wrong with that, actually this is happening with the JROTC switching to the new utilities. Three cadets bought ACU's in my unit because they couldn't wait until my SAI issued them to them. They just want to represent JROTC and be accepted. I would just let your SASI and ASI decide if he can wear them and when. Good luck and I know how you feel.
Sincerely
C/1stLt Drill for life

[TruBlu]

My comment as to this situation is simple: Wear the designated uniform for that particular event. If there is no uniform stated, then the commander is in the wrong for not discerning which uniform should be worn.

He isn't doing anything wrong wearing the ABUs with his name tape, AFJROTC designation, and rank. If he wasn't wearing those it would be ridiculous and out of regulation. The difference between what goes where and when to wear it between the BDU and ABU: nada.

[flyBoy2010]

My comment as to this situation is simple: Wear the designated uniform for that particular event. If there is no uniform stated, then the commander is in the wrong for not discerning which uniform should be worn.

The "offender" in question was not wearing the uniform for the event, according to AB Infantry. He just wanted to wear the uniform for the heck of it.

[TruBlu]

Well then, he was in the wrong. Cadets where their uniforms for school and official AFJROTC duty, not when ever. You have to get SASI permission for anything else at any time.

[c/ltdan2192]

I agree with TruBlu for the most part. My only thing is if he did have SASI's permission then that puts you back in the wrong.

[C/Msgt.wraith]

Well I may not know about you're unit but in mine ABU's, if purchased your self, are authorized. Was he participating in any thing going on that night or was he just there representing JROTC? Also, with the ABU's the boots are supposed to be tan not green.

[army_grunt_11B]

Also, with the ABU's the boots are supposed to be tan not green.


Where is your source on that? I was on an AFB this afternoon, and well the only tan boots I saw were mine.. and I'm ARNG, not AF, and at clothing sales, all they sell are Sage green boots, and black boots, no tan. So apartnly an entire AF base is in the wrong... or you are.. one or the other.

[c/ltdan2192]

Just a note to "Wraith" they're sage green not tan.

[PhilK]

So apartnly an entire AF base is in the wrong... or you are.. one or the other.

My money is on the Base being wrong....:sleepy:

[army_grunt_11B]

My money is on the Base being wrong....:sleepy:


Yes Sir, I will bring that to the attention of the base commander first thing in the morning. ;)

[C/Msgt.wraith]

Sorry, I was thinking of the N.G. when i posted that. I thought that with all digital pattern uniforms the boots are supposed to be tan.

[Billyd]

Sorry, I was thinking of the N.G. when i posted that. I thought that with all digital pattern uniforms the boots are supposed to be tan.

That is why we deal in FACTS gleaned from the appropriate governing directive rather than "I thoughts." Next time check your sources also known as those governing directives. In this case, since the discussion is about an Air Force uniform, that governing directive is AFI 36-2903 Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personel.

[army_grunt_11B]

Sorry, I was thinking of the N.G. when i posted that. I thought that with all digital pattern uniforms the boots are supposed to be tan.

Also, NG doesn't have any different Uniform Reqs. I can't wear Sage Green boots to drill, just as an AF NG member cant wear Army class A's. We each have our own uniform Reqs. Army is AR-670-1, AF as Billyd stated is AFI 36-2903, and they differ from each service, and if you read up, the section for NG, at least for the Army, has no different uniform reqs from AD, but Im sure an AF NG member can tell you that its the same.

[C/Msgt.wraith]

Also, NG doesn't have any different Uniform Reqs. I can't wear Sage Green boots to drill, just as an AF NG member cant wear Army class A's. We each have our own uniform Reqs. Army is AR-670-1, AF as Billyd stated is AFI 36-2903, and they differ from each service, and if you read up, the section for NG, at least for the Army, has no different uniform reqs from AD, but Im sure an AF NG member can tell you that its the same.

Thank you for the help.:D

[ufcfootballfan]

The cadet was just there as a spectator? If he was not part of the Color Guard in any way or there with your unit then it kinda limits what we are able to do. You cannot tell a civilian he cannot wear the uniform. It is wrong that they do but it is not our choice. Technically, he is a civilian there if he is not with the Color Guard because he is not doing anything for the unit. It is kinda a touchy situation.

[Drill for life]

He is a Cadet not a Civilian when he has AFJROTC patches insignia on his uniform. It’s his choice and as long as he wear it within regulations and does not Disrespect the Uniform then I think it would be fine.

[ufcfootballfan]

He is a cadet, correct. But, outside of cadet activities and classes he is a civilian. If someone came up to him and asked him to remove the uniform at that time he has the right to say no.

[Drill for life]

Yes I do see your point, but think about tit when you take of your uniform do you stop acting like a Cadet? No you act Disciplined and Well-Mannered. He is a Cadet, Once a Cadet always a Cadet(When you are in a Cadet Program)

[ufcfootballfan]

I totally agree, once a cadet always a cadet. I guess we agree to disagree.