Update AFI 36-2903: Highlight #8 Published Aug. 31, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Whitney Jackson Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Editor's note: This Highlight is just one of many changes included in the recently updated version of AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. A total of 10 Highlights are scheduled to be included in this series. All photos are staged and intended to provide visual examples of improper standards due to the AFI updates. For more information on dress and appearance standards, Airmen are encouraged to review the new AFI or contact their commander or first sergeant. Air Force officials released the updated Air Force Instruction 36-2903 July 18, 2011, to all Air Force personnel. One of the changes in the updated AFI is located in Chapter 6.4.3.3. which states tan boots May be worn with the Airman battle uniform through 31 October 2011; effective 1 November 2011, tan boots will not be worn with the ABU unless authorized by the Theater commander for wear only in theater. The tan boot may be worn with the desert flight duty uniform indefinitely. Boots will be made of tan suede material with plain rounded toe or rounded capped toe, with or without a safety toe, with or without a perforated seam, and lace up. A zipper or elastic inserts may be worn; however, if worn, they will be without design. Chapter 7.1.14. continues to state that all personal grooming standards apply while participating in physical fitness activities (refer to chapter 3) with one exception, long female hair will be secured but may have loose ends and may extend below the collar; i.e., ponytails. Chapter 8.7. also highlights that undergarments are mandatory; during flight operations they must be cotton or fire retardant material due to added protection. Undergarments made of 100% nylon or polyester are not authorized during flight. Wear only desert sand (tan) undershirts (effective 1 November 2011, black or brown undershirts will no longer be authorized for wear with the FDU or DFDU). Effective immediately, wear of any other color undershirt and/or undershirts is prohibited when wearing the FDU/DFDU (wear of designated unit standardized undershirts with the FDU/DFDU is no longer authorized). For all other undershirt guidance reference paragraph 6.5. Thermal undergarments, (i.e., dickies, turtlenecks, and mock necks) are black, desert tan, white, or cream colored and are authorized for wear with the FDU/DFDU as weather conditions warrant.
