LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Perception is reality. This mantra is drilled into trainees' heads at Basic Military Training from the moment of their first clothing issue, and it is emphasized through technical training. Dress and appearance is fundamental to Air Force personnel and key to our core value of "excellence in all we do."
However, some Airmen become complacent and let these high standards slip into mediocrity once out of the training environment.
"Uniforms are just the foundation, and you have to correct the little things before you can correct the big things," said Master Sgt. April Brittain, the 633rd Communications Squadron first sergeant. "The easiest things to let slide are the basics."
Brittain explained the most common issues are not where the policies may have recently changed, but where the policies have remained constant. Personal grooming and make-up are among the most common to follow this trend. Wearing multicolored sunglasses or hair ties to match the color of running shoes is not allowed. While dressed in any uniform, Airmen must make sure accessories and their overall look complement the uniform, not the current styles or fashions.
"An Airman's appearance in uniform should be timeless," said Brittain.
With the summer months fast approaching, Airmen have a tendency to become increasingly lax with uniform standards, said Master Sgt. Steven Mathews, the 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant. The warmer weather brings a new set of uniform standards to remember.
Tattoos can be a difficult issue to tackle, especially during warmer months. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 states that only 25 percent of an Airman's exposed body part can show tattoos.
"With the weather getting nicer, options to comfortably cover up tattoos are limited," said Mathews.
Physical training is essential to the Air Force way of life, but it is often easy to forget that even while wearing the more casual PT uniform, each Airman is still representing the Air Force.
"The PT uniform is still a uniform, and it needs to present a military image," said Mathews.
Ensuring that PT gear fits properly, choosing running shoes with a subdued color palate, and carrying your gym bag in your left hand, instead of slung across your chest, are easy ways to promote the military image, said Master Sgt. Ryan McCauley, 633rd Air Base Wing Staff Agencies first sergeant.
While first sergeants will often correct uniform infractions, it is every Airman's role to educate their wingmen and ensure they are adhering to the high Air Force standards.
"It's not the responsibility of the first sergeants to police uniform infractions," said McCauley. "We do that because we're Airmen, and that's what all Airmen need to do. It can take a certain degree of courage to address a uniform infraction to a senior ranking member, and it shouldn't."