Air Force officials issue guidelines for green fleece

News > Air Force officials issue guidelines for green fleece

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Air Force officials have issued new guidance on the proper wear of the sage-green fleece jacket. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Moody)
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Air Force officials issue guidelines for green fleece

Posted 4/6/2011

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by Brad Jessmer
Air Force Uniform Office

4/6/2011 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Additional new guidance has just been released from the office of Manpower, Personnel and Services, or AF/A1, at the Pentagon regarding wear of the authorized sage-green fleece outer garment.

According to a message issued by AF/A1, "The sage-green fleece jacket, commonly known as Generation III or Gen III, was the original version authorized for wear. Due to limited availability at Army Air Force Exchange Service Military Clothing Stores and through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, some units purchased and issued other versions."

The message continues by explaining these other versions may be worn as long as they meet the configuration requirements for name tapes and rank. Requirements for wear are the following:

- A Velcro ABU print last-name tape with dark-blue block lettering, centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on the wearer's right chest
- A Velcro ABU print U.S. Air Force tape with dark-blue block lettering, adjacent to the name tape and centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on the wearer's left chest
- A Velcro subdued cloth rank with a solid sage-green background, flush and centered above the last-name tape on the wearer's right chest.
- Fleece must remain zipped no lower than halfway between the name tape and the collar
- The collar must be folded over and resting on the shoulder, chest and back when the zipper is not completely zipped
- The bottom length of the fleece must be as close to length of ABU top as possible
- Sleeves must be worn down at all times
- Fleece must be kept in a neat, serviceable and professional appearance at all times
- The sage-green fleece may only be worn over the ABU top, and is not authorized to be worn solely over a T-shirt, thermal underwear or similar undergarments, when worn as an outer garment

Items authorized for wear with the fleece include black or sage-green leather, suede or knit gloves; black or sage-green watch caps; black scarves that are tucked in; and black ear muffs.

Commanders also have the authority to allow wear of the fleece indoors if mission needs require it. According to AF/A1 officials, the number one concern is the health and well being of Airmen.

Airmen with questions regarding this article should address them through their chain of command, or by calling the Air Force Personnel Center at 800-525-0102, or DSN 665-5000.

Comments

4/22/2011 10:25:17 AM ET
Yes, the APECS is lightweight but it has no thickness. It's rain gear not cold-weather gear. That's why we have the fleece liner. And that's what I think it should be used for. It seems someone whispered it the ear of the uniform folks and said "But the Army wears their fleece as an outergarment." And lo and behold, fleece as an outergarment. As for buying the wrong one, bad on MCSS for stocking something not authorized, but one should verify they're buy the right stuff.

Jeb, ND

4/8/2011 2:43:44 PM ET
John MO, You've missed my point. The flight suit was made as protective equipment. The jacket was not made for officers. Perhaps you are thinking the history of the leather jacket. Do you know what happens to fleece when exposed to an open flame? I do and it is not pretty and that is why it won't be worn with a flight suit. If the flight suit was worn as intended protective equipment, this would be a non issue. Many working AMN use and wear them as well as Army and Marine ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect from burns if surviving an IED. Ask me how I know. The ABU has another jack, weather parka. The fleece is the jacket that fills that void for the ABU wearer. My bottom line is that if you want to wear the fleece, take off your flight suit and wear ABUs for once. It is as easy as that.

RI, CAMP HM SMITH

4/8/2011 9:59:00 AM ET
RI Camp HM Smith - Thanks for the breakdown; been wearing flight suits for 17yrs. ABUs have jackets too, ya know. As far as the flight suit, not really made for the working AMN; it and its authorized jackets were made for the Officer corps. All is well and good if we sat in a seat all day and waited for the fight to happen.

John, MO

4/8/2011 1:45:34 AM ET
Old AF vet Massachusetts - Because the field jackets are old tech and not very good for the war fighter today. Second, the ABU pattern is a terrible camouflage pattern; just go to the inventers website where they issue an apology to the ranks. Times change and the new tech allows items to be light weight and articulate in the right areas to allow folks to perform better then they have in the past...Which is where the old field jackets belong.

AJ, Hickam AFB

4/7/2011 2:58:21 PM ET
This jacket looks like a piece of civilian sports wear not a military uniform item. Why doesn't the USAF issue field jackets with the ABU camo pattern?

Old AF vet, Massachusetts

4/7/2011 11:07:27 AM ET
When this thing first came out I bought the wrong one the supposed unauthorized one. I was told that I needed to purchase the proper one and not wear the original one I bought. Now fast forward a year and a half later the unauthorized one is now authorized. I hope these people up there making all these uniform policy changes realize that sometimes the Clothing Allowance doesn't always cover everything that we need. For some of us 75 could be used greatly elsewhere instead of buying some cold weather gear just because some brass changed his mind.

Shawn, Lackland

4/6/2011 4:48:16 PM ET
John MO - The flight suit has its own jacket that is approved for wear during flying operations. There is also a leather flight jacket for wear with the flight suit. As far as other duty uniforms there are also jackets that are made to match those as well.

RI, Camp HM Smith

4/6/2011 2:38:06 PM ET
What about the flight suit or other duty uniforms?

John, MO

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