Dress to impress

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kris Levasseur
  • 48 FW Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Being a new Airman with less than a year of active-duty service, the actions of those around me influences me greatly. I'm still trying to find my way in the Air Force using the examples of others to guide me.

So if you think nobody pays attention to dress and appearance -- you are mistaken.

The way Airmen keep their uniform directly reflects on how good of an Airman they are. The first thing I notice when I meet a new servicemember is how sharp their uniform is. There is nothing that screams "this is a sharp troop" more than a fresh haircut, a clean-shaven face, battle dress uniform creases that could cut you just by touching them and boots shiny enough to give off a blinding reflection.

Making sure your uniform is in excellent condition may be a time consuming task, sometimes taking hours of work, but if you work hard at it, the end result can be quite impressive.

According to AFI 36-2903 uniforms will be neat, clean, pressed, buttoned and properly maintained. To most people that means spending a couple of hours ironing 2 or 3 times a week or spending a little money to get the uniform dry cleaned. For men, it means getting a haircut a couple of times a month and shaving once or twice daily, and for everyone, getting your hands dirty polishing boots.

Sometimes going the extra step is all that it takes to go from satisfactory to exceptional. Getting your uniforms altered is a good way to march across the line. It is authorized to have your cargo pockets stitched down on your BDU blouses and even your trousers. Instead of ironing your collar down, why not sew it down to make it look sharp all the time?

AFI 36-2903 states that uniform clothing may be altered to improve fit. However, alterations must not change the intended appearance of garment as designed.

There are many different ways to iron your uniform. Some work better than others. Everyone has a different way. Some servicemembers like to fold the arms and legs of their uniforms inside out before applying starch; others just apply starch directly. Some people move the iron consistently; others let the iron rest on each crease before moving it. No matter which way you choose, ironing is a good way to show dedication in your uniform.

In addition to ironing, boots should be polished. Combat boots can sometimes be difficult to polish. It takes a good amount of time to get them to really shine. Deep scuffs are difficult to remove and getting your own technique perfected can be irritating. Purchasing a pair of high performance boots could greatly reduce the amount of time and frequency your boots would need to be maintained.

For those of you who think this is too much work, the Airman Battle Uniform, the new wash and wear uniform selected for the Air Force, will be available for purchase in Army Air Force Exchange Service outlets by October. The ABU doesn't require ironing or starching. The current projected mandatory wear date for the ABU is October 2011.

Taking care of your uniform isn't a suggestion, it is mandatory. Just because some people don't clean up their appearance, doesn't mean every one should follow that example. Taking a little pride in your uniform can go a long way.

I have heard many people make the excuse "I get too dirty doing my job. Why straighten out my uniform just to mess it up." That's no excuse. Showing up on time in uniform is important, but showing up on time in a freshly pressed uniform displays professionalism and pride in your job.

Taking care of your uniform doesn't just reflect well on you. The way you take care of your uniform and carry yourself is a direct reflection of your supervisor, squadron, commander and branch of service. Taking care of your uniform shouldn't just make them proud of those working for them; it should make you proud to be an Airman in the U.S. Air Force.