the military uniform and appearance standards

Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC

Lesson 2, Chapter 1 1

The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards


Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance

Standards

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Motivation• From the ancient

Greeks to the Armed Forces today, the military uniform has represented a long and honorable tradition of devotion to one’s country.



Standards

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What does the military uniform symbolize?• A public symbol of the nation’s defense

forces• A long and honorable tradition of devoted

service to country• Should be worn proudly and properly• Key elements for wearing uniform: neatness,

cleanliness, safety, military image



Standards

4

What is the history of the uniform?• Uniform combines Latin words unus and

forma to mean “one form.”• Ancient Romans wore togas, a type of

uniform.• Toga candida—worn by candidates for public office• Toga palmata—ceremonial toga• Toga praetexta—worn by emperors • Toga sordida—worn by lower classes, mourners,

and people accused of crimes



Standards

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What is the history of the uniform? (cont’d)• The origin of the military uniform goes back to

an early date in Western civilization.• Athenian and Spartan soldiers in Greece dressed

according to position in military formations.• Heavy infantryman • Light-foot soldier



Standards

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What is the history of the uniform? (cont’d)• A national army with a standard uniform appeared in

England during the Great Rebellion (1642–1646).• Red with colored facings to distinguish regiments• Adaptations of civilian dress• Units identified by colors and standards• Distinctive, colorful uniforms for troops serving

under wealthy people• From this start, the military uniform evolved.



Standards

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?• The AFJROTC uniform is the same, with

certain exceptions, as that worn by active duty Air Force personnel.

• It is important to honor the uniform and to wear it properly.



Standards

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?• Cadets may not wear the uniform

• While hitchhiking, in demonstrations, for crowd control, during political events

• Cadets may wear the uniform• While acting as ushers, parking lot

attendants, runners, or at discretion of SASI



Standards

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)• Parts of the Hatch Act bar military personnel from

engaging in any form of public political activity while in uniform.

• These activities include• Attending rallies and political speeches and passing out

fliers• Publicly supporting a political candidate, party, or

political issue



Standards

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)• However, members of the military

• Are encouraged to vote• May place political bumper stickers or signs

on own vehicles or private property• Can participate in political events if not in

uniform and if not identifying selves as military members



Standards

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)• Military personnel in uniform also cannot

participate in events where it might be implied that the Air Force supports a particular cause.• Public speeches, rallies, interviews, picket lines,

and marches• Activities that might imply Air Force endorsement

of a commercial interest• Private employment



Standards

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)• Most Air Force Junior ROTC units have published

information on the cadet uniform and how to wear it.

• These are usually based on three publications (see AFJROTC Cyber-Campus Web site):

• AFI 36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel

• AFJROTCI 36-2001: Air Force Junior ROTC Operations• AFJROTC Uniform and Awards Guide



Standards

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d)• Service uniform for both males and

females• Form-fitting, properly fitting coat • Proper sleeve length• Proper coat length• Properly fitted trousers or slacks



Standards

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d)• Uniform do’s

• Do wear the standard Air Force uniform properly.• Do wear the uniform on the day established by the

SASI (usually at least one day each week).• Do wear the uniform

• At other times specified by the SASI• When you fly on military aircraft• When participating in color guard or drill team



Standards

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d)• Do keep shoes polished and shined.• Do wear shoes appropriate for the activity.• Do keep badges and other metallic devices

clean and free of scratches and corrosion.



Standards

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d)• Do keep ribbons clean and replace them

when they become worn, frayed, or faded.• If your unit is in a military high school, do

wear the distinctive uniform required by the institution for special occasions or ceremonies.



Standards

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards (cont’d)• Uniform don’ts

• Don’t wear the Air Force commissioned officer sleeve braid or officer silver thread on flight caps.

• Don’t wear the uniform with other clothing.• Don’t lend your uniform to someone not a

member of AFJROTC program.



Standards

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d)

• Don’t allow articles such as wallets, pencils, pens, and combs to be visible.

• Don’t wear earphones or headphones while in uniform, unless required by duty.

• Don’t carry pagers or cell phones unless required for duty.



Standards

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What are special team uniforms?• Special teams are

• Color guards• Honor guards• Saber teams• Drill teams

• Special teams may wear additional uniform items or wear a distinctive, yet conservative, uniform of military style.



Standards

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What are special team uniforms?• Except for color cords, these items or

uniforms are worn only when performing duty as a member of a specialized group.

• Greater latitude is permitted in design of open competition drill team uniforms.



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming?• Standards for wearing the uniform

consist of four elements.• Neatness• Cleanliness• Safety• Military image

ENLISTED

PAY GRADE TITLE ABBREVIATION INSIGNIA

E-1 AIRMAN BASIC AB NO Insignia

E-2 AIRMAN Amn 1 Stripe

E-3 AIRMAN FIRST CLASS A1C 2 Stripes

E-4 SENIOR AIRMAN SrA 3 Stripes

E-5 STAFF SERGEANT SSgt 4 Stripes

E-6 TECHNICAL SERGEANT TSgt 5 Stripes

E-7 MASTER SERGEANT MSgt 6 Stripes

E-8SENIOR MASTER

SERGEANT SMSgt 7 Stripes

E-9CHIEF MASTER

SERGEANT CMSgt 8 StripesCHIEF MASTER

SERGEANT OF THE AF CMSAF



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)

GRADES AND RANKS ACTIVE DUTY AIR FORCE

OFFICER

PAY TITLE ABBREV. INSIGNIAO-1 SECOND LIEUTENANT 2Lt. or 2nd Lt. 1 GOLD BAR

O-2 FIRST LIEUTENANT 1Lt. or 1st Lt. 1 SILVER BAR

O-3 CAPTAIN Capt. 2 SILVER BARS

O-4 MAJOR Maj. 1 GOLD LEAF

O-5 LIEUTENTANT COLONEL Lt. Col. 1 SILVER LEAF

O-6 COLONEL Col. 1 SILVER EAGLE

O-7 BRIGADIER GENERALBrig. Gen or

BG 1 SILVER STAR

O-8 MAJOR GENERALMaj. Gen or

MG 2 SILVER STARS

O-9 LIEUTENANT GENERAL Lt. Gen or LG 3 SILVER STARS

O-10 GENERAL Gen 4 SILVER STARS



Standards

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Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Jewelry standards

• Cadets in uniform may wear• A wristwatch• Rings, but no more than three at one time• A neat, conservative wrist bracelet no wider than

one inch• Female cadets may wear conservative earrings.• Male cadets may not wear earrings.



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Eyeglasses or sunglasses

• Must have conservative frames and lenses• Must not be faddish or have mirrored lenses• Cannot be worn around neck while in

uniform



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)

• Tattoos or brands cannot be obscene or advocate discrimination.

• Excessive tattoos or brands will not be exposed or visible while in uniform.

• No objects may be displayed through nose, tongue, or any exposed body part.



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Specific female cadet guidelines

• Hair• No longer than bottom of collar edge at back of

neck• Conservative style• Should look professional and allow headgear to

be worn properly• Must not be too full or high on head• Plain (if any) pins, combs, barrettes, etc.



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Length of skirt may not vary beyond top and

bottom of kneecap.• Skirt should fit smoothly, should hang

naturally, and must not be excessively tight.• Hosiery must be worn with the skirt.



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Specific male cadet guidelines: Hair

• Must be clean, neat, and trimmed• Must not contain large amounts of grooming

aids that remain visible in hair• Should not touch ears or eyebrows



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Specific male cadet guidelines: Hair

• Should not touch collar, except for closely cut or shaved hair on back of neck

• Should not exceed 1¼ inches in bulk regardless of length



Standards

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming? (cont’d)• Must not protrude below the front band of headgear • Must have tapered appearance on sides and back• Must not have bulk or length that interferes with

wearing headgear properly• May not have foreign items attached• May have sideburns if they are straight, are of even

width, and end in a clean, horizontal line• Must not have extreme or faddish styles or colors



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade?• Active duty insignia of grade

• An insignia is a badge or mark of office or honor.• The Air Force grade insignia system is broken down

into two categories: • Officer grades• Enlisted grades

• Enlisted grades are subdivided into two categories:• Noncommissioned Officers (NCO)• Airman grades



Standards

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Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Proper methods of address when speaking to

officers• “Lieutenant” for a Second Lieutenant and a First

Lieutenant• “Colonel” for either a Lieutenant Colonel or a

Colonel• “General” for all generals

• Use full titles for official correspondence.



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs)

• Airmen serving in the grade of staff sergeant through chief master sergeant



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Proper methods of address when speaking to

NCOs• “Chief” for a Chief Master Sergeant• “Sergeant” for all other sergeants

• Use full titles in official correspondence.



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Five Noncommissioned Officer grade insignias

• Inverted and curved chevron• Blue background of chevrons• Silver stripes with silver star in center• BDU insignia: dark blue stripes on green

background with dark blue star• First sergeants: diamond device above star on

chevrons



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• First sergeants may hold the rank of

Master Sergeant (MSgt), Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt), or Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt).

• These top senior NCOs hold a position of trust and responsibility as the link between the commander and the unit personnel.



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Responsibilities of first sergeants

• Ensuring that enlisted personnel know their commander's policies

• Representing the interests of enlisted personnel to the commander

• Promoting enlisted personnel’s welfare, morale, and health

• Maintaining discipline and standards of conduct• Providing guidance on leadership, military justice,

and customs and courtesies



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

(CMSAF)• Holds highest position of any enlisted personnel• Acts as personal advisor to Air Force Chief of

Staff and Secretary of the Air Force• Provides information about welfare,

effectiveness, and progress of enlisted force



Standards

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CMSAF• 8 Stripes with wreath around the bottom

and sides of the star and the Great Seal of the United States with two stars in the upper left field.

• On October 24, 1966, AF Chief of Staff General John P. McConnell announced the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.



Standards

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CMSAF• Position was added to create prestige to

the NCO Corps.• Only one Chief Master Sergeant in the

entire Air Force can be the CMSAF.• The first CMSAF was

Chief Paul W. Airey



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• The four Airman grades

• Airman Basic (AB)• Airman (Amn)• Airman First Class (A1C)• Senior Airman (SrA)

• For enlisted grades, the pay grade is always one more than the number of stripes.



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Air Force Junior ROTC insignia of grade

• For officer grades, active duty grade insignia are very different from cadet grade insignia.

• For enlisted grades, there are only slight differences between active duty insignia and Junior ROTC insignia.

GRADES AND RANKS AFJROTC

TITLE Abbrev. INSIGNIA

CADET AIRMAN BASIC c/AB NO INSIGNIA

CADET AIRMAN c/Amn 1 Stripe w/TorchCADET AIRMAN FIRST

CLASS c/A1C 2 Stripes w/TorchCADET SENIOR

AIRMAN c/SrA 3 Stripes w/TorchCADET STAFF

SERGEANT c/SSgt 4 Stripes w/TorchCADET TECHNICAL

SERGEANT c/TSgt 5 Stripes w/TorchCADET MASTER

SERGEANT c/MSgt 6 Stripes w/TorchCADET SENIOR

MASTER SERGEANT c/SMSgt 7 Stripes w/TorchCADET CHIEF MASTER

SERGEANT c/CMSgt 8 Stripes w/Torch

GRADES AND RANKS AFJROTC

TITLE ABBREV INSIGNIA

CADET SECOND LIEUTENANT c/2Lt. 1 THIN INVERTED STRIPE

CADET FIRST LIEUTENTANT c/1Lt. 2 THIN INVERTED STRIPES

CADET CAPTAIN c/Capt. 3 THIN INVERTED STRIPES

CADET MAJOR c/Maj. 1 THICK INVERTED STRIPE

CADET LIEUTENANT COLONEL c/Lt. Col.

1 THICK + 1 THIN INVERTED STRIPE

CADET COLONEL c/Col.1 THICK + 2 THIN INVERTED

STRIPES

.



Standards

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Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Cadet enlisted grade insignia

• Cadet Airman—pointed chevron of 1 stripe, with torch in the middle

• Cadet Airman First Class—pointed chevron of 2 stripes, with torch in the middle

• Cadet Senior Airman—pointed chevron of 3 stripes, with torch in the middle

• Cadet Staff Sergeant—pointed chevron of 4 stripes, with torch in the middle



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Cadet Technical Sergeant—pointed chevron of 5

stripes, with torch in the middle• Cadet Master Sergeant—pointed chevron

of 6 stripes, with one stripe inverted above the torch in the middle

• Cadet Senior Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 7 stripes, with two stripes inverted above the torch in the middle

• Cadet Chief Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 8 stripes, with three stripes inverted above the torch in the middle



Standards

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)• Cadets, like active duty personnel,

may also wear other insignia (badges).

• There are also ribbons authorized for wear on the Air Force Junior ROTC uniform, as they are awarded.



Standards

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Standards

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the military uniform and appearance standards

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