Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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27th Special Operations Wing Public AffairsWith winter weather already impacting Air Commandos here, personnel are advised to comply with dress and appearance standards for cold weather gear.
Straight from the latest edition of Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Appearance Standards, here are a few tips to stay warm and within regulations as the temperature continues to drop.
• 6.1.8. All-Purpose Environmental Clothing System. Can only be worn with the Airman battle, flight duty and chef white uniforms; for outdoor use only.
• 6.1.8.1. The APECS (with an Air Force digitized tiger stripe print) will have a slip-on rank that will be worn on the rank tab. The APECS will be zipped no lower than midpoint on the rank tab at all times when worn. Exception: When worn with the Airman Battle maternity uniform or Air Force food services maternity uniform, members may wear the APECS jacket unzipped. The hood will be stowed when not in use. A green fleece liner may be worn under the APECS; however, the fleece liner will not be visible. An optional, small (approximately ? inch high), solid background (same color as rank and badges) name tape with last name may be added to the pocket flap on the left sleeve
• 6.1.9. Improved Rain Suit. Can only be worn with the Airman Battle, Air Force food services and flight duty uniforms, and is for outdoor use only.
• 6.1.9.1. The IRS (with an Air Force digitized tiger stripe print) will have an APECS slip-on rank worn on the rank tab. The IRS will be zipped no lower than mid-point on the rank tab at all times when worn. Exception: When worn with the Airman Battle maternity uniform or Air Force food services maternity uniforms, members may wear jacket unzipped. A green fleece liner may be worn under the IRS; however, the fleece liner will not be visible.
• 6.1.10. Sage Green Fleece. Only worn outdoors with the Airman Battle uniform; remove when indoors. (Exception: Local commanders have the authority to allow indoor wear of the sage green fleece jacket as mission needs dictate.)
• 6.1.10.1. The sage green fleece is authorized for wear as an outer garment with the ABU only. It can only be worn over the ABU coat. It is not authorized to be worn solely over a t-shirt, thermal underwear, etc. When worn as an outer garment, it will have 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. It will also have a 2 inch squared Velcro subdued cloth rank with a solid sage green background (no ABU pattern on background) flushed and centered above the last name tape on the wearer’s right chest (Exception: Lieutenant General and General rank will be a 3 ? inch by 2 inch Velcro subdued cloth rank). A Velcro ABU print U.S. Air Force tape with dark blue, block lettering will be even with the last name tape and centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on the wearer’s left chest.
• 6.1.10.1.1. The sage green fleece will be zipped no lower than the top of the name tape. The collar will be folded over and resting on the shoulder, chest, and back when the zipper is not completely zipped. When worn with the Airman battle maternity uniform, members may wear jacket unzipped. The bottom length of the green fleece will match as closely as possible to the bottom length of the ABU coat. It will be worn with the sleeves down, not pushed or rolled up, and will remain in neat and serviceable condition at all times.
6.1.15. Cold-Weather Parka. Can be worn with all uniform combinations and is for outdoor use only.
• 6.1.15.1. The cold weather parka will be green with a fur-edged hood. When worn, the parka will be zipped at all times. The hood will rest neatly on the upper back when not in use. Rank insignia is not worn on the cold-weather parka.
• 6.2.7. Black Watch Cap. Watch cap may be worn only when approved by the installation commander and only when wearing authorized outer garments, service dress, or physical training uniform.
• 6.2.7.1. Cap will fit snugly over top of head (tight fit). Adjust cap so it may fit squarely on head. Fold edge of cap all the way around, adjust crease so that the folded edge is no more than three inches wide. The back of the cap should run across the nape of the neck and the front should rest within half an inch of the eyebrows. The watch cap should reflect a diagonal line across the ears moving downwards, from front to back. No bunching and no sagging.
• 6.2.7.2. It will be commercially designed, plain, solid black knit or fleece/micro fiber material.
• 6.2.7.3. Rank insignia is not worn on the black watch cap.
• 6.2.8. Sage Green Watch Cap. Watch cap may be worn only when approved by the installation commander and only when wearing ABU authorized outer garments or physical training uniform.
• 6.2.8.1. Cap will fit snugly over top of head (tight fit). Adjust cap so it may fit squarely on head. Fold edge of cap all the way around, adjust crease so that the folded edge is no more than three inches wide. The back of the cap should run across the nape of the neck and the front should rest within half an inch of the eyebrows. The watch cap should reflect a diagonal line across the ears moving downwards, from front to back. No bunching and no sagging.
• 6.2.8.2. It will be commercially designed, plain, solid, sage green knit or fleece/micro fiber material.
• 6.2.8.3. Rank insignia is not worn on the sage green watch cap.
• 6.3.6. Umbrella. Umbrellas will be plain, solid colored black and carried in the left hand.
• 6.3.8. Cold Weather Accessories. Cold weather accessories will only be worn when wearing authorized outer garments (Exception: gloves may be worn solely with the service dress uniform, ABUs and BDUs). With the exception of functional items, cold weather accessories are only worn while outdoors.
• 6.3.8.1. Gloves (black or sage green). Gloves may be worn with all authorized outer garments. They will be all one color, leather, knitted, tricot or suede, or a combination of leather, knitted, tricot, and suede. Black or sage green gloves may be worn with the ABU, FDU and all authorized outer garments to the ABU or FDU. Only black gloves may be worn with the service dress uniform and all approved outer garments worn with the blue service and service dress uniforms.
• 6.3.8.2. Scarf (black). A scarf may be worn with all authorized outer garments except the pullover and cardigan sweaters (when worn solely as an outer garment). The scarf must be tucked in and will only be worn with an outer garment. The scarf will not exceed 10 inches in width and can be knit, all wool or cotton simplex, with or without a napped surface.
• 6.3.8.3. Earmuffs (black). Earmuffs may be worn with all authorized outer garments and may wrap around either the top or rear of the head. Earmuffs may be made of any material and will only be worn with an outer garment.
Remember that these tips only cover the basics for cold weather gear worn over the Airman battle uniform. For regulations pertaining to the flight duty or service dress uniforms, consult AFI 36-2903, supervisors or first sergeants.