Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 October 2017
FROM: AFSOC/CC
10 Bartley Street, Command Suite
Hurlburt Field, Florida 32544-5273
1. Effective immediately, the following uniforms are authorized as the Uniform of the Day
(UOD) for AFSOC Airmen as daily functional clothing during in-garrison, home station
activities to include USSOCOM or AFSOC-sponsored events and off-station training or
exercises: the Airman Combat Uniform (ACU - previously referred to as multi-cam or OCP),
the Flame Resistant Airman Combat Uniform (FR-ACU), the Desert Flight Duty Uniform
(DFDU), and the Airman Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU previously referred to as Army
Aircrew Combat Uniform). Additionally, the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) is authorized for
Airmen not issued an ACU.
2. When attending USAF-sponsored events, wear the ABU. The ACU/A2CU will not be worn
while attending any PME, formal classes and courses external to USSOCOM or AFSOC.
Additionally, the ACU/A2CU will not be worn while attending conferences and engagements
where other Air Force members are expected to primarily wear ABUs or FDUs.
3. AFSOC Airmen will use attached guidance until the approval of AFI 36-2903_AFSOCSUP,
Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. AFSOC members will present a
positive military image in and out of uniform, and on and off duty while wearing the ACU. This
policy will remain in effect from 1 October 2017 until superseded or rescinded.
MARSHALL B. WEBB
Lieutenant General, USAF
Commander
Attachment:
1. AFSOC Wear Guidance
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This document has been substantially revised and must be reviewed in its entirety. Major
revisions include:
Expanded wear guidance of the Airman Combat Uniform (ACU), all variations, which were
previously referred to as OCPs, Multicam, or Scorpion Pattern
Authorized wing or group commanders to dictate wear of Airman Combat Shirt (ACS) for
those who work outdoors
Authorized wing or group commanders to dictate the wear of berets and ACU ball caps
This applies to all United States Air Force (USAF) military and civilian personnel assigned, ANG
gained units, AFRC gained units, deployed or TDY to AFSOC. The use of the name or trademark
of any specific manufacturer, commercial product, commodity, or service in this publication does
not imply endorsement by the Air Force.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
BASIC UNIFORM STANDARDS
1.1.1. The following uniforms are authorized as the Uniform of the Day (UOD) for AFSOC
Airmen as daily functional clothing during in-garrison, home station activities to include
USSOCOM or AFSOC-sponsored events and off-station training or exercises: the Airman
Combat Uniform (ACU - previously referred to as multi-cam or OCP), the Flame Resistant
Airman Combat Uniform (FR-ACU), the Desert Flight Duty Uniform (DFDU), or the Airman
Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU previously referred to as Army Aircrew Combat Uniform).
Additionally, the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) is authorized for Airmen not issued an ACU.
1.2.2. Accoutrements.
1.2.2.1. Squadron and organizational patches must be based on official unit heraldry
approved IAW AFI 84-105, Organizational Lineage, Honors, and Heraldry. Procure patches
only from a manufacturer certified by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry IAW 32 U.S.C.
507, using the patch manufacturing specification drawing provided by the U.S. Army
Institute of Heraldry. Contact your local history office or the AFCENT History Office for
assistance or visit: https://portal.afcent.af.mil/afcent/staff/ho/Emblems/Forms/AllItems.aspx.
1.2.2.2. Nametapes and U.S. AIR FORCE tapes. Mandatory for all personnel.
1.2.3. AFOSI Special Agents will follow guidance prescribed in AFI 36-2903, AFOSI
Supplement.
1.2.4. While in uniform, rings must be gold, silver, or other metal that is conservative in
nature. Rings made of silicon bands are authorized in black, brown, green, or gray.
1.2.5. Airmen that are in-garrison, home station may wear the squadron black morale shirt
with ABUs or DFDUs on Fridays.
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Chapter 2
SPECIFIC UNIFORM STANDARDS
2.1 Airman Combat Uniform (ACU), Flame Resistant Airman Combat Uniform (FR-
ACU), and Airman Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU). Any ACU pattern uniform
previously issued or acquired at no cost to the government should be worn by AFSOC
personnel, regardless of location.
2.1.2. When attending USAF-sponsored events, wear the ABU. The ACU/A2CU will not be
worn while attending any PME, formal classes and courses external to USSOCOM or AFSOC.
Additionally, the ACU/A2CU will not be worn while attending conferences and engagements
where other Air Force (AF) members are expected to primarily wear ABUs or FDUs.
Figure 2.1. Airman Combat Uniform Figure 2.2. Airman Aircrew Combat Uniform
2.1.3. FR-ACUs are authorized for Airmen performing missions requiring flame resistant
properties, as identified by the AFSOC Functional Area Manager (FAM).
2.1.4. Members assigned to alert missions upon being assigned and deploying personnel after
formal tasking and prior to departure will have all uniform items issued by home-stations.
2.1.5. Personnel required to wear 100% cotton uniforms for safety purposes, including 3E0X1
(Electrical Systems), 3E0X2 (Electrical Power Production), 3E1X1 (Heating, Ventilation, Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration), 3E4X1 (Water & Fuel Systems Maintenance), will wear the
ACU and be issued 100% cotton coveralls.
2.1.6. Color and thread guidance. All embroidered elements of the ACU may contain only
five thread colors.
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2.1.6.1. Spice Brown. Thread cable number 67196. Nametape, U.S. Air Force tape,
occupational/specialty badges, Commanders Insignia Pin, 2Lt, Maj and all enlisted ranks.
2.1.6.4. Unit patches should only contain the colors: Black, Khaki, Bagby Green (thread
cable number 67204) and Olive Drab (thread cable number 67133).
2.1.7. Trousers (ACU/FR-ACU) will be bloused or tucked into the boots with a bloused
appearance.
2.1.8. Coat.
2.1.8.1. Sleeves may be cuffed up or tucked under at the wrist (Exception: sleeves must be
rolled down to the wrists at all times during flight operations).
2.1.8.2. No Aircrew Style Name Patch (ASNP) will be worn on any portion of the ACU,
FR-ACU, or A2CU at any time.
2.1.8.3. Name and U.S. AIR FORCE tape embroidery will be Spice Brown.
2.1.8.3.1. Wing commanders may direct wear of nametapes written in local language by
personnel who have direct duty contact with host nation personnel (e.g. Combat Aviation
Advisors). Local language name tapes will be the same style, size, and embroidery as the
name tape affixed immediately above the standard name tape.
2.1.8.4. Officer rank will be Black except 2d Lt and Maj, which will be Spice Brown.
2.1.8.6. Commanders Insignia Pin may be worn for officers in the rank of Colonel (O-6) and
below when currently in command, as authorized by AFI 36-2903 Paragraph 10.3.24. The
pin will be Spice Brown and centered inch above the name tape, on 1 inch x 1 inch
subdued ACU pattern cloth. Graduated commanders are not authorized to wear the pin.
2.1.8.7. Occupational Badges may be worn centered inch above the U.S. AIR FORCE
tape with Spice Brown embroidery on ACU pattern background. A maximum of two
occupational badges may be worn
2.1.8.7.2. Air Force Aeronautical, Space, and Cyberspace (optional). If authorized to wear
more than one aeronautical, space, or cyberspace badge, wear the badge that reflects
current job in the highest position.
2.1.8.8. Name and U.S. AIR FORCE tapes, Rank, Occupational Badges, Commanders
Insignia Pin and Nametape on hats will be attached with Velcro but may be optionally sewn
directly to the uniform. All items will either be attached with Velcro or sewn directly to the
uniform with no combination of the two on the same shirt.
2.1.8.9. Sleeve patches will be affixed via Velcro and will not be sewn directly on the
uniform.
2.1.8.10. Sleeves.
2.1.8.10.1.1 U.S. Flags will be cloth or infra-red (IR) and centered at the top of Velcro.
For home station in-garrison wear, the following patches are approved to be worn on the
right sleeve under the US Flag.
2.1.8.10.1.2 Higher headquarters (HHQ) subdued cloth patch (For example: Wing,
Group, AFSOC, and/or USSOCOM) will be worn on the right sleeve unless any of the
below approved patches are worn in place of higher headquarters patch.
2.1.8.10.1.6. No other types of patches are authorized on the right sleeve (Exemption:
see paragraph 2.1.8.10.3.1).
2.1.8.10.2.1. While performing their duties, certain AFSCs may wear functional patches.
Subdued cloth or subdued IR Duty Identifier Tab will be centered at the top of Velcro
area. Authorized functional patches are included in Table 2.1.
2.1.8.10.2.3. If earned and awarded, subdued cloth joint qualification tabs may be worn,
(e.g., Army Ranger, Sapper, Airborne, Air Commando, SERE, etc.) above the unit patch.
2.1.8.10.2.4. No other types of patches are authorized on the left sleeve (Exemption: see
paragraph 2.1.8.10.3.1).
Figure 2.5. ACU Right Sleeve Figure 2.6. ACU Left Sleeve
2.1.8.10.3.1. The following patches will be worn on either sleeve in place of either the
HHQ or organizational unit patch: Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) patch (graduate or
instructor), USAF Test Pilot School and School of Advanced Air and Space Studies
(SAASS), Critical Care Air Transport Team Patch, Test Pilot School graduate patches,
and other completed equivalent schools. Patches will be subdued cloth and will have an
ACU patterned background with Black embroidery.
2.1.9. Undergarments are mandatory at all times. For flight operations, cotton, wool, flame
resistant material, or flame resistant blends will be worn. Undergarments and spandex made
of 100% nylon or 100% polyester are not flame resistant and, therefore, not authorized for
flight operations.
2.1.9.1. Socks will be Desert Sand, tan, Coyote Brown or Sage Green.
2.1.9.2. T-Shirt will be Desert Sand, tan, or Coyote Brown and will be tucked into
trousers.
2.1.9.3. Airman Combat Shirt (ACS) is authorized to be worn with the FR-ACU/ACU and
A2CU. See additional wear guidance at para 2.2.
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2.1.9.4. Sleep shirt or thermal underwear will be Desert Sand, tan, green, or Coyote
Brown and not visible, except at the neck. The sleep shirt and thermal underwear will be
tucked into the trousers.
2.1.10. Headgear.
2.1.10.1. Patrol caps will be worn with nametapes placed on the back using Velcro or
sewn down. Officer rank will be sewn to the front of the hat.
2.1.10.2. Chaplains wear chaplain functional badge sewn with Spice Brown thread and
centered inch above visor.
2.1.10.3. Campaign (floppy) hats are authorized, but will not have a nametape.
2.1.10.4. Headgear will not be rolled, tucked or otherwise formed. Hats will be worn in
their natural form and will not be hung around the neck.
2.1.10.6. ACU Ball caps are optional, but may be approved for wear by wing commanders.
2.1.10.6.1. Officers will wear rank affixed with Velcro, or sewn directly to the hat,
centered in the front. Velcro backing will not exceed the square Velcro area of the
rank.
2.1.10.6.2. Enlisted will wear the subdued U.S. flag with the union in the upper left
corner affixed with Velcro, or sewn directly to the hat, centered in the front.
2.1.10.6.3. Nametape will be worn on the back of the hat, either sewn or with Velcro
to match the front, and will not exceed the Velcro area.
2.1.10.6.4. Nothing will be attached to the Velcro on the top of the hat.
2.1.10.6.5. Females are authorized to pull their bun or pony tail through the back of the
ball cap and hang no lower than the bottom of the collar.
2.1.10.6.6. ACU Ball caps may be constructed of solid ACU material or ACU with
coyote brown mesh back (see Figure 2.7 and 2.8). No other colors or color combinations
are authorized.
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Figure 2.7. ACU Ball Cap, cloth back Figure 2.8. ACU Ball Cap, mesh Coyote Brown back
2.1.11. Boots will be Coyote Brown or Tan. After 1 Jul 20, all personnel will wear Coyote
Brown boots.
2.1.12.1. Coyote Brown or black scarves, earmuffs, watch caps, and gloves are authorized.
2.1.12.3. The Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) jackets (fleece, wind,
soft shell, wet weather, or extreme cold weather) may be worn without the pants; however,
the pants must not be worn without the jacket.
2.1.12.4. Wing or local commander authorize wear of Massif (fleece lined) Elements.
2.1.12.4.1. Massif Elements Jackets and Pants are authorized for wear. ASNP will no
longer be authorized for personnel after 1 Jul 18.
2.1.12.4.1.1 ASNP will be on ACU pattern background affixed with Velcro and
contain the following elements.
2.1.12.4.1.1.1. First line will contain first name and last name. Second line will have
rank abbreviated and USAF. Rank insignia will be embroidered and located at the
far left of the patch.
2.1.12.4.1.1.2. Officer rank will be Black except 2d Lt and Maj, which will be Spice
Brown; Enlisted rank and border will be Spice Brown.
2.1.13. For clarity in supply stock inventory and ordering, the Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA) currently only recognizes the ACU and A2CU acronyms as the Army Combat
Uniform and Army Aircrew Combat Uniform.
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2.1.14. SAFETY WARNING: Personnel could sustain severe, life threatening injuries if FR
uniforms are worn improperly or mixed with non-FR clothing, such as polyester
undergarments and cold weather gear. To ensure safety, strict adherence to wear policies is
required. Uniform items must be purchased from an approved vendor on the approved U.S.
Air Force Product List. Refer to the Air Force Uniform Office page on the Air Force Portal
for approved No Melt No Drip undergarments and FR cold weather products list.
2.2.1. ACS is authorized for Airmen who wear Individual Body Armor (IBA).
2.2.2. Wing or group commander may authorize wear of ACS as an outer garment for Airmen
who primarily or frequently work outdoors (e.g. HVAC technicians, flightline personnel) for
heat dissipation, or other operational reason.
2.2.3. When authorized for wear, the ACS will replace the ACU or ABU shirt as the UOD.
On days when no outside work is conducted or planned, the ACS is not authorized.
2.2.6. The subdued cloth or subdued IR U.S. Flag, rank, and nametape will be worn on the
right shoulder. The HHQ or unit patch will be worn on the left shoulder beneath the subdued
cloth or subdued IR Duty Identifier if earned.
2.3.1. Authorized for wear by individuals who are qualified in aviation duties.
2.3.2. Headgear. ACU patrol caps, ACU/desert campaign (floppy) hats, and ACU ball caps
are authorized. Eight point patrol caps will no longer be authorized after 1 Jul 18.
2.3.2.1. Headgear will not be rolled, tucked or otherwise formed. Hats will be worn in their
natural form and will not be hung around the neck when not being worn.
2.3.2.2. Officer rank will be sewn on the ACU patrol cap or floppy hat.
2.3.5. Patches.
2.3.5.1. The subdued cloth AFSOC Command patch will be worn on the right breast, above
the right breast pocket.
2.3.5.2. When authorized for wear, permanently conferred graduated patches are worn in the
place of the HHQ patch and the HHQ patch is worn in place of the unit patch. WIC
Graduate, SAASS patches are authorized.
2.4.1. The ABU is an alternate uniform for all personnel unable to obtain the ACU.
2.4.2.1. Headgear will not be rolled, tucked or otherwise formed. Hats will be worn in their
natural form and will not be hung around the neck when not being worn.
2.4.3.1. The All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) jacket, AF Sage Green
fleece, or AF issue cold weather items (B Bag) may be worn to provide cold weather
protection. Local commanders may approve wear of the AF Sage Green fleece indoors.
2.5.1. Must be the same pattern as the uniform and fleece (ABU or ACU).
2.5.2. Will be worn with rank and be zipped and snapped. Underarm venting may be
unzipped.
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2.5.5. Authorized for wear with civilian clothes and PTG when rank is removed.
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Chapter 3
ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
3.1.1. Watch Cap. May only be worn if cold weather gear is layered under the shirt or a
uniform outer garment is worn.
3.1.2. Commanders may authorize the wear of scarves for sun, dust storm and cold weather
protection.
3.1.3. Rucksack/Backpack/Camelback.
3.1.3.1. May be carried on the left shoulder or on both shoulders, centered on the back, and
will not obstruct the ability to render customs and courtesies.
3.1.3.2. Color must match uniform pattern or be solid Coyote Brown or black.
3.1.4. Small, conservative, colored key-chain clip-on flashlights may be worn unless
prohibited for safety reasons or by other guidance.
3.1.6. Helmet bands will match helmet cover pattern. Name and blood type may be sewn to
helmet band. Spice Brown embroidery will be used.
3.1.7. Nametapes, rank, and blood type tabs affixed with Velcro are authorized on body
armor.
3.1.8. U.S. Flags will be subdued cloth or subdued IR and may be attached on body armor
with Velcro. No additional colors or embellishments are authorized.
3.1.9. Ballistic eyewear, from the Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL), is required at
all times when performing duties requiring IBA and helmets.