Is there a tight-collar uniform in your future?

[CommunityEditor]

The latest version of the service dress, which will begin appearing in a limited wear-test this summer, is essentially a modern take on the classic World War II-era uniform worn by Henry “Hap” Arnold, the aviation pioneer who became the first leader of the Air Force when it separated from the Army.

"No uniform will make everyone happy," Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel said, and he expects that some airmen will have complaints.

Read the details about the new uniform.

View 360-degree illustrations of the new service dress coat and the early gear that inspired it.

Do you like the heritage-inspired look? Will it really 'Hap-pen'? What are your thoughts on what should stay or go?

(Also: Take our survey on the new uniform.)

[VinCar]

It looks silly to me...I don't like it, leave well enough alone, it'd be nice to have a uniform with some heritage and history too it that was longer than about 10 years. I never got the need to change the uniform repeatedly. Plus, and no offense here, 90% of Air Force members can't wear that jacket with any kind of belt around the midline/waist...let's face it and get real on that one. Air Force standards and that belt thing on the jacket don't go hand-in hand to looking professional unless you want to have a beacon that screams "Im over my bodyfat %!!"

*no offense intended, I'm an ex member 13 years, just being "real" in my assessment of the jacket and that belt thing

[Skweegee_guest]

I took a look at the 360 view and think that the female in the early uniforms looks damn good. But the new uniform makes the female SMSgt's a$$ look pretty big. I am curious as to what other females will think about that.

[GENERALBULLDOG54]

I think they are on the right track. My only gripes are the belt and the lapels. There's something in the current uniform that doesn't lead to the serious covering up of ribbons and name tags. The belt isn't necessary for common wear, maybe for something special. In that regard, the "Mitchell" would be more than sufficient. I was also wondering, would a black "Mitchell" coat, with belt with department of air force seal in silver, af blue pants with silver lining, and black military hat with af blue lining be decent for a parade uniform?

[RKAZALSKI]

The new uniform does not look comfortable to wear. That belt will cause all kinds of problems, the one of the male in the photo in the Air Force Times, it covers a button, on the woman, the belt is between two buttons. I can see all kinds of rules, clarifications and discussions about which belt wear is "out of uniform", etc. Will anyone be able to sit down comfortably with that belt around their waist. It looks bulky and too tight fitting, not the kind of uniform you want to wear all day. Go back to the drawing boards, this is not the solution. And, why do we need another uniform, anyways? We're just getting used to our latest version.

[DSEVANS]

Everytime I pick up an issue of Air Force Times or read the news articles in the local base paper when visiting active duty bases, I read about the whole down sizing of the force, due to lack of fundage. The Air National Guard is facing serious funding issues right now as well. The guard Wing that I work for has had a 50% budget cut in the past 2 years. Yet, the Air Staff continues funneling money into projects that have absolutley NO bearing on the missions that we're facing around the world right now. Elminiate the manning and all of the funding for the 50+ LTCOL's and senior NCO's (exageration) at this "back to heritage board" and use that money more efficently. If people are so intent upon looking fashionable, then when it comes time to reenlist, join the Navy instead.

[AIRGUARD231]

Here is another example of our leaders not listening to the replies in the field. A survey was conducted where a whopping 54 percent clearly stated to leave the current design alone. Only 5 percent liked the Hap-Arnold design. So I ask, are the leaders listening to those in the field, those fighting the combat operations? Evidently, this seems to be something personal than useful. We, airmen, clearly understand our past and we clearly understand our present--funds are short. Please take the blinders off and LISTEN to your troops in the field. Spend the money on combat operations or support those spouses left behind while loved ones are defending our freedom. This isn't the time to address a uniform change that will not be worn in ANY battle.

[EDWARDW4]

I don't think the new design is too bad; but I think there needs to be more consistency with the metal components: you have bright silver (badges, collar brass), satin silver (nametag) and dull silver (buttons). It needs to be IMO all one or the other, not this mish-mash of metal types.

I also agree with the previous postings about how it is funny that we don't have enough money to run the AF, but they find the money to do this. My ANG wing literally didn't have enough $ to pay us to come to drill at the end of FY06!!!

[BKNJOHNSON]

With all due respect to the work that went into the design of yet another uniform change, I look around my office and realize I'm losing as many as 60% of my team to force shaping, RIFs, VSP and deployments and around my base at cuts in services, all to buy more airplanes. So naturally, we should be spending precious tax dollars on a new uniform. Today's AF Times quotes Lt Gen Brady "It's about increasing the focus on combat operations." With all due respect sir, how is spending money on a new service dress (which most of us never wear more than once a year, if that) focusing us on combat operations? The uniform board and office should be scraping by on nickels and dimes like the rest of us. Go ahead and come up with some great ideas, but can't we wait until the bleeding stops a little before sticking our junior enlisted and junior officers with yet another uniform, and in this case, one we rarely wear anyway?

[FINKD]

I retired 4 years ago and after looking at the new uniform, I'm glad I won't be wearing it. I know it's our for wear-testing which is a euphemism for it's a done deal.

The uniform looks like the one issued to me in 1975 except without the belt. As another poster mentioned, the belt will make AF members look fat. I'm glad the original "Billy Mitchell" look did away with the high collar but what's left over really doesn't, IMO, present a positive, professional image of today's Air Force. It looks more like a costume for a 1950s B-movie.