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Pride in the Blue Uniform

  • Published
  • By Col. Melissa Applegate
  • 375th Mission Support Group
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  When General Norton Schwartz, our Chief of Staff, directed the uniform of the day for all Mondays would be any combination of the blue uniform, many questioned why this decision was made. Our previous CSAF, Gen T. Moseley, implemented the wear of utility uniforms and flight suits in the spirit of supporting our war fighters, and many of us had become comfortable putting on our battle dress uniforms, Airman battle uniforms or flight suits each day. In the process, we stopped wearing the one uniform that best represents the uniqueness of the U.S. Air Force and visibly distinguishes us from our sister services. While there are certainly a number of career fields that must wear a utility uniform or a flight suit every day, the majority of us can proudly wear, one day a week, our blue uniform as a reminder of our history and the unique capabilities the Air Force can provide.

The Air Force has not always had a distinctive uniform, primarily due to our service's origin as part of the U.S. Army. Air Force leaders first began looking at the possibility for a separate uniform in 1945. By 1946 it was clear it would be some shade of blue, mirroring the blue sky where our mission was to fly, fight and win. In January 1948, President Truman approved a new uniform for the Air Force but Congress did not approve the funding. The Air Force tried again a year later and January 19, 1949, President Truman once again approved a new Air Force uniform. April 8, 1949, Air Force Letter 35-46 stated the new Air Force blue uniform was available for purchase and immediate use. Distribution of blue uniforms would be made as uniforms became available with general issue to all Airmen expected by September 1, 1950.

Throughout the years, the Air Force uniform has gone through numerous modifications. For example, originally only pilots, chaplains, security forces personnel and aides wore badges. In 1962, CSAF General Curtis LeMay approved ribbons for small-arms marksmanship and NCO Academy graduates. Then in 1968, designers eliminated the lower patch pockets on the service dress and the Word War II winged corps insignia. Officials even attempted to eliminate the U.S. insignia from the service dress lapels, but due to strong protests within the Air Force this never took effect. More recently, changes to the service dress took place in the early 1990s when the pockets were removed and Navy style rank was placed on the sleeves. Additional changes quickly followed and our current uniform was adopted in 1999. Even today, a new service dress tailored after our World War II uniforms is currently being tested.

So, some of you may be asking "why so much emphasis on a 'distinctive uniform' and why so many changes?" The bottom line is simply this: our blue uniform is a highly visible symbol of our Air Force and all its members, past and present. It is the uniform that most distinguishes us from our sister services. Often when in BDUs in public, people would thank me for my service, most of them further inquiring how long I had been in the Army or Marine Corps. Recently I had family in town and while at the BX, a family member commented on how she could not tell the different services apart because the "fatigues" were all so similar. This is precisely the reason why our leadership places so much emphasis in this area. The blue uniform lets everyone know we serve in the greatest air force in the world, and for this reason, we should be proud to wear the blue uniform and make sure we are wearing it properly.

As you put on your blue uniform next week, take the extra minute or two to check the alignment of your nametag, badges and ribbons and ensure your shirt is crisply ironed...in a word that you look "sharp". Take a good look in the mirror and make sure that you like what you see - not only that your uniform looks good, but that you look good in your uniform. Make every day you wear the blue uniform an opportunity to "reblue" yourself and remind all who see you that you are an Airman in the world's greatest air force, the U.S. Air Force.