It’s official: The [US] Air Force will let airmen put their hands in their pockets while in uniform

[dimsum]

Forget “aim high,” or “it’s not science fiction, it’s what we do every day,” or any of the other recruiting slogans the Air Force has used over the years. Now, it just needs three words to get more recruits than any other branch: “Hands in pockets.”

Starting in October, the Air Force will break with decades of tradition by allowing its members to put their hands in their pockets while in uniform.

The change is one of many grooming and uniform changes that loosen up restrictions for airmen. Others include being able to use a cell phone or drink water while walking in uniform; new physical training uniforms; longer hair and hair accessory standards; cosmetic tattooing for men; and wearing morale patches on Fridays or during special events.

“We trust our airmen, noncommissioned officers and commanders with incredible resources and significant responsibilities and we’ll need to do so even more as we prepare for future conflicts,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, in a statement on Tuesday. “We likewise trust they can figure out what it takes and means to maintain standards without specifying exact behavior in every situation.”

It’s official: The Air Force will let airmen put their hands in their pockets while in uniform

In October, the Air Force will break with decades of tradition by allowing members to put their hands in pockets.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[OldSolduer]

I like their PT outfit. As for hands in pockets the CAF is decades ahead - that's why those nice little fleece lined pockets are in the CADPAT jackets.

 

[Good2Golf]

- that's why those nice little fleece lined pockets are in the CADPAT jackets.

I thought that was to keep your hands warm when it was cold outside and you weren’t wearing a toque, so you weren’t allowed to wear gloves?

 

[dimsum]

I thought that was to keep your hands warm when it was cold outside and you weren’t wearing a toque, so you weren’t allowed to wear gloves?

 

[SeaKingTacco]

It’s official: The Air Force will let airmen put their hands in their pockets while in uniform

In October, the Air Force will break with decades of tradition by allowing members to put their hands in pockets.

taskandpurpose.com

Well, duh. What else are pockets for?

 

[dapaterson]

Dip and beef jerky, of course.

 

[Good2Golf]

Dip and beef jerky, of course.

“…and chicken,” Leeroy Jenkins

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Dip and beef jerky, of course.

well, yeah. That also goes without saying.

 

[OldSolduer]

I thought that was to keep your hands warm when it was cold outside and you weren’t wearing a toque, so you weren’t allowed to wear gloves?

It gets confusing after a while.

 

[Remius]

I thought it was just a trap set to get troops to put their hands in their pockets to be yelled at so leadership could score PER points for leadership.

 

[dimsum]

It gets confusing after a while.

Well aren't you glad this came out a few years ago then!

 

[brihard]

Hands in pockets? Might as well just roll out the welcome mat for Putin and Xi now.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Hands in pockets? Might as well just roll out the welcome mat for Putin and Xi now.

 

[OldSolduer]

Hands in pockets? Might as well just roll out the welcome mat for Putin and Xi now.

Next thing you know we'll allow troops to chew gum....

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Next thing you know we'll allow troops to chew gum....

Waiiiit…..

 

[dimsum]

Update:

• Conduct: Airmen may put their hands in their pockets while standing or walking. Airmen may also use cell phones while walking, including on speakerphone, with Bluetooth earpieces and for text messaging.
  
  
• Hair: Men may grow their hair out to 2.5 inches in length, and women may wear 2-inch wide hair accessories to better control thicker or curlier hair. Men are allowed to use a procedure called micropigmentation to get microscopic ink dots tattooed on their scalp that creates the appearance of hair. Airmen can dye their hair to a natural shade of brown, blonde, brunette, red or black, or a natural-looking combination like salt-and-pepper hair. Women may wear false eyelashes that measure up to 14 millimeters long and are the same shade as their natural lash color. Airmen who are allowed to wear beards must keep them trimmed to one-quarter inch or shorter.
  
  
• Clothing: Commanders can let their airmen tuck in their Operational Camouflage Pattern coat, and roll up the cuffs twice while on duty. Airmen may wear Velcro pen and pencil holders on their OCP sleeves; morale patches on their OCPs and two-piece flight duty uniforms; sewn-on nametapes and insignia on OCP fleece jackets; and unit patches or organizational symbols on their OCP T-shirts. Women are no longer required to wear pantyhose with their dress uniforms. Commanders of maintenance, industrial and other related squadrons can let their airmen wear sage-colored coveralls. For physical training, short- and long-sleeve shirts can be worn tucked in or untucked, and airmen may don sweatbands as part of their workout gear.
  
  
• Accessories: Airmen may wear “tactical” ball caps, such as those with a camouflage pattern. People who are issued berets for jobs like security forces can continue to wear them even while away on a special assignment or at a professional development course. Airmen may wear transparent piercing spacers in their lower earlobes, as long as the piercing hole isn’t large enough to let light shine through, as well as a ring on their thumb.
  
  
• Badges: Those issued multidomain warfare badges must wear them under the same rules as other aeronautical or space badges. Inter-American Air Forces Academy badges can become part of the uniform as well, and air adviser tabs can be worn permanently. Airmen in certain specialties may permanently wear an Air Force Honor Guard badge. Foreign aviation, medical and parachutist badges can be worn outside of the country that issued them.

Airmen’s holiday gift this year — a more lenient dress code

Get those pockets ready.

www.airforcetimes.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

 

[SupersonicMax]

Update:

Airmen’s holiday gift this year — a more lenient dress code

Get those pockets ready.

www.airforcetimes.com

And I bet there will not be a negative effect on effectiveness.

 

[FJAG]

And I bet there will not be a negative effect on effectiveness.

My guess is that there will be a dramatic increase in PTSD at the Senior Master Sergeant and up rank level from having to stifle.

 

[dimsum]

My guess is that there will be a dramatic increase in PTSD at the Senior Master Sergeant and up rank level from having to stifle.

must...knife...hand...