ABU wear policy effective immediately

Published Feb. 9, 2007
By Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez
Air Force Print News

WASHINGTON -- Air Force officials at the Pentagon released the wear policy for the new Airman Battle Uniform Feb. 7.

The policy comes in time to help many of the Airmen deploying to the AOR in May, as these Airmen will be among the first to get the ABU.

Further ABU distribution plans will be based on production capability.

The new policy addresses uniform care, uniform wear, uniform accessories, and use of tactical items that don't match the ABU's color pattern.

From the beginning of the utility uniform redesign process, Air Force leaders have said they hoped to make it easier for Airmen to take care of their uniforms. The uniform care instructions in the new policy reflect the emphasis on ease of care. Generally, the policy indicates that the uniform should be wash and wear.

"Wash in warm water ... tumble dry, permanent press cycle, remove immediately from dryer and fold flat or place on rustproof hanger," the instruction recommends. It also says the uniform could be air dried on a hanger.

According to the new policy, the ABU is not to be starched or "hot pressed" in a commercial laundry.

According to the new policy, Airmen will wear "sand colored" T-shirts under their ABU coat. The T-shirts may be v-neck, crew neck or "athletic style." Additionally, Airmen may wear self-purchased T-shirts made of material other than what is issued. Specifically, "moisture wicking fabrics" and "cotton/poly blends" are authorized as long as they are sand colored and the manufacturer's logo is not visible.

The Air Force has chosen to use the Army universal camouflage pattern for tactical items. The policy authorizes AOR wear or use of tactical items and field items only in the Army universal camouflage pattern or the desert camouflage uniform pattern. Tactical items include such things as body armor, modular lightweight load-carrying equipment, canteen covers, helmet covers, etc.

Tan combat boots are authorized with the ABU until the "foliage green" boots become available. The phase out date for the tan boot and the mandatory wear date for the green boot have not yet been set. The mandatory wear date for the ABU -- the date when all Airmen should be wearing the uniform -- is Oct. 1, 2011.

Some other information about the ABU:

No wing or squadron patches will be worn on the ABU. Only functional, duty and occupational badges are authorized on the ABU.

Organizational baseball hats are not authorized with the ABU. Only the ABU hat (looks like the current BDU style with the ABU print) and currently authorized; berets will still be allowed.

The ABU has 236 sizes (118 trousers and 118 blouses) that will accommodate both men and women, unlike the 57 sizes of the current BDU, and will follow commercial clothing standards. The most common sizes will be available on AAFES shelves and the total 236 sizes will be available by order through AAFES.

The green suede boots will come in women's sizes unlike the current black boot in the Air Force inventory, which does not.

The ABU has an estimated wear life of 12 months.