What're They Doing to my Air Force?

The Air Force is nuking the Good Conduct Medal! Now how can we tell the Mustangs from the Ring-knockers? Oh...the ring...DUH!

Air Force regulations bar funky fashion statements
Good Conduct medal done away with in updated rules on uniforms, appearance

By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, February 11, 2006

(For a look at some of the changes, see the list at the end of the story.)

WASHINGTON — For the airman of the future, good conduct is its own reward.

The Air Force Uniform Board announced this week the elimination of the Good Conduct Medal as part of a host of uniform and appearance changes.

Airmen who have previously earned the medal can still wear it on their uniforms.

The award has been a standard on airmen’s uniforms for more than 45 years, but Air Force spokeswoman Jennifer Stephens said the decision to drop it came after debate over the meaning and purpose of the medal.

“The good conduct medal discussions focused on the fact that good conduct should be the norm for all airmen,” she said. “Good conduct is expected and in line with the Air Force core values.”

The new rules allow the wearing of traditional POW/MIA bracelets, but forbids, “bracelets that support a cause, philosophy, individual or group.” All bracelets worn while in uniform should be restricted to less than one-half inch wide.

The board also focused on cell phones and personal digital assistants, saying they “must be conservative” to be appropriate. Black, silver, dark blue or gray are listed as acceptable colors.

“(Cell phones) may be clipped to the left side of the waistband or purse or carried in left hand,” the rules state. “Members will not walk in uniform while using phones, radios or hands-free headsets unless required in performing official duties using a government-issued device.”

Other changes specific to women in the service include:

• No shaved head or flat-top hairstyles;
• No “scrunchies” worn in the hair, and hairpins must match hair color;
• Braids, cornrows, and synthetic hair are permitted as long as they meet safety and mission requirements;
• The male flight cap is optional for women;
• No “faddish” hair coloring or highlights;
• Purses with no more than two straps are authorized with mess dress only
• Earrings must be “small spherical, conservative diamond, gold, white pearl or silver” and worn as a set. Women with multiple piercings in their ears can wear only one set at a time, in the lower earlobe.

In addition, force officials have approved French manicures not exceeding one-quarter inch beyond the fingertip. But nail polish of “extreme color, such as purple, gold, black, blue or any fluorescent color” is prohibited.

The board did announce the creation of a new Headquarters Air Force badge, to be made available by the summer. The badge will be worn by military staff members assigned to the Air Staff and the Air Force Secretariat, to provide “distinct identification” of their posts.

All airmen will be allowed to wear their blue nametag with the force’s informal uniform, and the epoxy blue nametag is optional on the blue shirt. The new rules also include reminders that cummerbund pleats will face up at all times the uniform is worn, and that implementation of new physical training uniform is set for Oct. 1.

Permanent wear of the scuba badge has also been authorized on the battle dress uniform.

For airmen who aren’t deployed, the desert combat uniforms may not be worn “unless en route to the basic combat convoy course.” However, the board said airmen traveling to or from rest and recuperative leave from Central Command are considered deployed for uniform purposes.

Commanders have the authority under the new rules to approve a temporary medical waiver to airmen with a medical condition to wear wigs or skirt the force’s rules on baldness. The rules also specifically allow wearing of the approved American Cancer Society cap in those cases.

Rings must be worn at the base of the finger, and never on the thumb. Eyeglasses must not be worn around the neck or on top of the head while in uniform.

The board also OK’d wearing of the firefighter duty badge while an individual is assigned to Fire Protection Air Force Specialty Code, 3E7X1, and wear of the security forces duty badge and beret for 3PXXX personnel. That includes periods of professional military education and staff tours above group level.