AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air …

1 AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air force Personnel containing change 2 (dated 28 May 08), is void and hereby rescinded as of the date of its issuance. The publication was improperly routed and mistakenly failed to incorporate the provisions of AFI 36-2903, change 1, dated 6 August 2007, into its publication. If you downloaded or printed any copies of the erroneous document, please destroy those copies. Also, if you've posted local supplements to the AFI based on this void and rescinded document, rescind the publication as of the date of issuance. BY ORDER OF THE AIR force INSTRUCTION 36-2903. SECRETARY OF THE AIR force 2 AUGUST 2006. Incorporating Change 1, 6 August 2007. Certified Current 17 February 2009. Personnel Dress AND Personal Appearance . OF AIR force PERSONNEL. COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY. ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at for downloading or ordering. RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.

2 OPR: HQ AFPC/DPSOOC Certified by: HQ AFPC/DPS. (Col William D. Foote). Supersedes AFI 36-2903, 29 September 2002 and Pages: 161. AFI36-2923, 25 May 2004. This instruction implements Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) , Wearing of the Uniform, 26 October 2005, Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) , Accommodation of Religious Prac- tices Within the Military Services, 3 February 1988; and Air force Policy Directive 36-29, Military Stan- dards. It applies to all active duty Air force members, members of the United States Air force Reserve (USAFR), and members of the Air National Guard (ANG). It directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Describes minimum standards of Personal Appearance of Air force members. Failure to observe the prohibitions and mandatory provisions of this instruction to include Table regarding tattoos/brands/body piercing by active duty Air force members; USAFR members on active duty or inactive for training; ANG members in Federal service, is a violation of Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

3 Violations of these provisions can be prosecuted under Article 92 of the UCMJ, as well as any other applicable articles of the UCMJ, when appropriate. The Commander, Mili- tary Personnel Flight (MPF) assigns an office within the Customer Support Section to be the Office of Pri- mary Responsibility (OPR) for this instruction. Refer to Attachment 1 for a Glossary. Authorized supplements to this instruction and requests for uniform changes will be processed in accordance with Chapter 7, Uniform Changes and Supplements. SUMMARY OF CHANGES. Updates Table , Wearing the Uniform and Table , Conditions for Wear of Uniform. A margin bar ( | ) indicates newly revised material. Chapter 1 COMMANDERS' AUTHORITY AND INDIVIDUALS' RESPONSIBILITIES 6. Commanders' Authority.. 6. Members Identified as not presenting a Professional Military Appearance .. 6. 2 AFI36-2903 2 AUGUST 2006. Individuals' Responsibilities.. 6. Table Commanders' Responsibilities.. 7. Table How Members Acquire Uniform Items (see notes).

4 8. Table Wearing the Uniform (see notes).. 9. Table Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) (See notes).. 11. Table Personal Grooming Standards (see notes).. 12. Chapter 2 SERVICE Dress , Dress , BATTLE Dress , AND STANDARDIZED. FUNCTIONAL UNIFORMS 17. Figures and Tables.. 17. Figure Men's Service Dress .. 17. Figure Men's Mess Dress Uniform.. 19. Figure Men's Semi-Formal Dress Uniform (Enlisted only).. 20. Figure Men's Short-Sleeved Shirt.. 21. Figure Men's Long-Sleeved Shirt.. 22. Figure Men's and Women's Physical Fitness Gear (PT).. 24. Figure Men's and Women's Battle Dress Uniform (BDU).. 26. Figure Women's Maternity Battle Dress Uniform (BDU).. 27. Figure Pullover Sweater.. 29. Figure Cardigan Sweater.. 30. Figure Lightweight Blue Jacket.. 31. Figure Men's and Women's Headgear.. 32. Figure Proper Placement of Insignia on Outergarments and Battle Dress Field Jacket (Men and Women).. 34. Figure Women's Service Dress Uniform.. 36. Figure Women's Mess Dress Uniform.

5 37. Figure Women's Semi-Formal Dress Uniform (Enlisted only).. 38. Figure Women's Short-Sleeved Blouse.. 39. Figure Women's Long-Sleeved Blouse.. 40. Figure Maternity Service Dress Uniform (Jumper).. 41. Figure Maternity Mess Dress Uniform.. 43. AFI36-2903 2 AUGUST 2006 3. Figure Women's Semi-Formal Dress (Maternity-Enlisted Only).. 44. Figure Maternity Jumper (When Not Worn as Service Dress , Mess Dress , or Semi-Formal).. 45. Figure Maternity Long-Sleeved Blouse.. 46. Table Men's Service And Dress Uniforms (see note).. 48. Table Men's Battle Dress Uniform.. 56. Table Women's Service And Dress Uniforms (see notes).. 60. Table Women's Battle Dress Uniforms.. 81. Table Body/Physical Appearance Modification Standards.. 86. Table Clothing/Accessory Standards.. 89. Table When To Wear Battle Dress .. 92. Table When To Wear Headgear.. 92. Table Religious Apparel Waivers.. 93. Chapter 3 ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT 94. Organizational Clothing and Equipment.

6 94. Aircrew Flight Dress Uniforms.. 94. Table Distinctive Uniforms--USAF Honor Guard, and Arlington National Cemetery Chaplains.. 98. Table Distinctive Uniforms--Installation and Base Honor Guard, Color Guard, Drill Team, and Military Funeral Detail.. 100. Table Distinctive Uniforms The USAF Band, USAF Academy Band, USAF Regional Bands.. 101. Table Distinctive Uniforms--Security Forces (SF).. 103. Table Distinctive Uniforms--Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Military Security force .. 105. Table Distinctive Uniforms--Miscellaneous.. 107. Table Distinctive Uniforms--Air force Fitness Center Staff Uniforms.. 110. Table Distinctive Uniform - Air force Food Service Uniform.. 115. Table Distinctive Uniforms--Flight Attendant (FA) Uniform.. 118. Figure Flight Attendant Dress .. 121. Figure Flight Attendant Slacks with Vest and Blazer.. 121. Table Distinctive Uniforms Medical Scrubs (see notes).. 122. 4 AFI36-2903 2 AUGUST 2006. Chapter 4 AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 123.

7 Wear Instructions.. 123. Foreign Decorations.. 123. Non-Air force Service Awards.. 123. Wear of Awards and Decorations by Retirees and Honorably Discharged Veterans. 123. Order of Precedence.. 123. Description of Ribbons.. 123. Description of Miniature Medals.. 124. Figure Order of Precedence of Awards and Decorations.. 124. Figure Placement of Devices on Ribbons and Medals.. 128. Figure Arrangement of Ribbons.. 129. Table Arrangement Of Medals By Rows (see note).. 130. Table Arrangement Of Ribbons On Service Uniforms (see notes).. 132. Table Placement Of Medals On Dress Coat Or Jacket (see note).. 133. Chapter 5 INSIGNIA, NAME TAGS, BADGES AND DEVICES 134. Wear of Grade Insignia.. 134. Wear of the Command Chief Master Sergeant and First Sergeant Insignia.. 134. Name Tags.. 134. USAF/Name Tapes.. 134. Badges and Specialty Insignia.. 135. Aeronautical and Space Badges.. 135. Duty Badges.. 135. Miscellaneous Badges.. 135. Occupational Badges.. 135.

8 Additional Uniform Devices .. 136. Table Officer/Enlisted USAF Ranks .. 137. Table Wear of Badges On The BDU, Service, Service Dress , Mess, Formal, And Semi-Formal Dress Uniforms (see notes).. 138. Table Issuing Organizations and Their Duty Badges.. 142. Table Occupational Specialties and Their Badges (Excludes Aeronautical).. 145. Figure Display of Badges.. 149. AFI36-2903 2 AUGUST 2006 5. Chapter 6 WEAR OF UNIFORMS BY RESERVE, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, RETIRED OR SEPARATED PERSONNEL 151. Conditions for Wear of Uniform.. 151. Table When Reserve, ANG, Retired, Or Separated Personnel Are Required Or Authorized To Wear The Uniform (See note 1).. 151. Chapter 7 UNIFORM CHANGES AND SUPPLEMENTS 156. How To Recommend Uniform Changes.. 156. Processing Supplements.. 157. Prescribed Forms.. 157. Adopted Forms.. 157. Attachment 1 GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION 158. 6 AFI36-2903 2 AUGUST 2006. Chapter 1. COMMANDERS' AUTHORITY AND INDIVIDUALS' RESPONSIBILITIES.

9 Commanders' Authority. See Table for commanders' responsibilities and Table through Table for how members acquire and wear uniform items and Personal grooming standards. Members Identified as not presenting a Professional Military Appearance . The unit commander: May require individuals who do not present a professional military Appearance (regard- less of overall fitness composite score) to enter the Fitness Improvement Program IAW AFI. 10-248. Schedules individuals for Fitness Education/Intervention. Individuals' Responsibilities. To present a professional military image individual will: Procure and maintain all mandatory clothing items. Review and follow local supplements and procedures. Uniforms will be neat, clean, pressed, buttoned, and properly maintained. Members will not: Stand or walk with hands in pockets of any uniform combination, other than to insert or remove items. Walk in uniform while using cell phones, radios, hands-free headsets unless required in the performance of official duties using a government issued device.

10 Smoke/use smokeless tobaccos, drink, or eat while walking in uniform. AFI36-2903 2 AUGUST 2006 7. Table Commanders' Responsibilities. To Maintain Uniformity and Good Order and Discipline. Major Command Supplement this instruction. Supplements must be approved by HQ. Commanders AFPC/DPSO. (See note 1). Authorize wear of functional clothing with service uniforms. Authorize wear of civilian clothing on-duty and standardize clothing by activity (see note 2). Prescribe wear of grade insignia, unit emblems, etc. on organizational or functional clothing. Determine acceptable off-base wear for all uniforms. Provide at no cost to members, required items directed to wear. Specify motorcycle and bicycle patrol uniforms for security forces personnel. Prescribe wear of Personal Hydration System . Installation Supplement this instruction. Further authorize specific guidance on Commanders wear of functional clothing with service uniforms that have previously been approved by MAJCOM Commander.