Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) Wear Policy

The ABU was authorized for wear by all Air Force personnel as of November 2006. The ABU replaces both the temperate and hot weather BDU and the DCU. The ABU will be issued at Basic Military Training in the initial issue clothing bag as of October 2007. Clothing allowance increases go into effect October 2007. Mandatory wear date for the ABU is November 2011. Phase-out date for the BDU/DCU will be same. Wear of the ABU or BDU cannot be mandated nor prohibited during this transition period.

All personnel are reminded that we are in a multi-year transition from the BDU/DCU to the ABU. Flexibility on the part of all personnel will allow continued focus on outfitting warfighters, while other distribution plan dynamics are put in place. These include initial issue of the ABU to basic military trainees and limited availability in Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) outlets.

Basic ABU uniform configuration:

ABU coat (shirt)
ABU trouser
ABU patrol cap
Desert sand colored t-shirt
Desert sand colored rigger belt
Sage green boot socks
Sage green suede boots (desert tan suede boots authorized)

T-shirts:

T-shirts are crew neck. The authorized color is desert sand (light tan). The fabric can be 100 percent cotton, poly/cotton blend, 100 percent polyester or synthetic, or moisture wicking blends at the option of the member. Any mission or duty specific safety requirements (such as 100 percent cotton or natural fibers) take priority. The ABU t-shirt is authorized for wear with the OD (olive drab) green and desert flight suits. There is no change to the authorized BDU t-shirt colors of black or brown. Turtlenecks (desert sand colored) are authorized in cold weather.

Boots:

ABU sage green boots are authorized for wear with all utility uniforms - ABU, BDU, DCU, OD green flight suit and desert tan flight suit. Desert tan boots are also authorized for wear with the ABU, until the mandatory wear date of November 2011. Sock color for the ABU boot is sage green, or any color authorized with non-ABU utility uniform. Certified safe-to-fly boots will be available in October 2007.

Patrol caps:

ABU patrol caps are the authorized headgear for wear with the ABU outside of the Area of Responsibility (AOR). Organizational caps are no longer authorized.

Rank, Badges and Patches:

ABU rank and badges, name and U.S. Air Force tapes can be purchased at military clothing sales stores. Name and "U.S. Air Force" tapes can be ordered and purchased. Thread color for sewing on rank and insignia should be in the same shade range as the ABU fabrics. Rank placement on ABU identical to BDU/DCU. SuBDUed metal rank only authorized for officers on ABU, including hats and All-purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) outer garments. Sewn on cloth rank is authorized for all.

Enlisted rank should be positioned as per Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2903. If crease on sleeve is not consistent with correct rank placement, ironing of the sleeves to "move" the crease is authorized. ABU sleeves may be rolled up as per table 2.2 of AFI 36-2903, the same as the BDU/DCU sleeves.

Aeronautical, chaplain, and occupational badges and required duty shields are authorized. Occupational badges are optional. Other badges are not authorized. AFI 36-2903, table 5.2, note 5, applies to the ABU: a maximum of three badges can be worn, with a maximum of two above the U.S. Air Force tape on the left side. A third badge may be worn if authorized for placement on the left breast pocket. There is no badge, patch or insignia authorized for wear on the right pocket.

No patches are authorized on the ABU. Command insignia is not authorized on the ABU.

Trousers:

Trousers will be bloused as per table 2.2, line 2 of AFI 36-2903, in the same manner as the BDU. If tucked in, trousers will present a bloused appearance.

Shade Variations:

Shade variations between the ABU coat and trousers do exist in some inventories, these are authorized for wear. Shade variations are expected to be solved within a year.

Optional Accessories:

Optional accessories such as backpacks, briefcases, hydration systems, and gym bags: continue to use black, OD, or Air Force sage green. ABU pattern items authorized as they become available. When questions arise, local command interpretation takes precedent.

Jackets:

All-purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) jackets replace the BDU/DCU GORE-TEX jackets. Phase out dates for these items is November 2011. Mixing and matching of patterns is not authorized, see paragraph 19 for exceptions. GORE-TEX jacket rank insignia (BDU rank fobs) are authorized until ABU rank is widely available. Officers can wear suBDUed pin-on rank on the APECS. Fleece liners are authorized as liners only (not for outerwear), and can be black or sage green.

Gloves:

Gloves can be black or sage green. Material can be leather, suede or knit. Watch caps can be black or sage green. Black scarves are authorized with the APECS, and must be tucked in. Black earmuffs authorized. When conditions dictate, thermal underwear can be worn and be exposed at the neck of the ABU. White, cream or desert sand colored thermal underwear is authorized.

Travel in ABUs:

Travel in ABU follows the same guidelines listed in AFI 36-2903 for travel in DCUs.  ABU wear for commercial travel is only authorized when travel is continuous from home to AOR, or from AOR to home. Sister Service policies are not applicable to the Air Force.

Taking Care of Your ABUs:

Do not starch or hot press the ABU. The ABU is a cotton/nylon blend fabric, repeated hot pressing or heavy ironing will accelerate the overall wear of the fabric. The ABU should be washed in detergent that does not contain optical brighteners, or the near infrared protection may be diminished. A partial listing of detergents that do not contain optical brighteners is available on the Air Force Portal Uniform Web site. Care instructions are on the label of the ABU.

Purchasing ABUs:

The ABUs purchased by Air Force personnel through AAFES Military Clothing Sales stores, or issued through Individual Equipment Issue (IEE) or contract equivalent, are certified as fully compliant with all specifications. No other suppliers are approved for organizational/unit purchases, or any appropriated or Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) funds expenditures. If personnel choose to use personal funds to purchase from non-AAFES suppliers, the Air Force not responsible if the uniform is not fully compliant.

Mixing and Matching:

Mixing and matching camouflage patterns, specifically ABU, DCU, or BDU camouflage patterns, is authorized in the AOR. This applies to outer garments and tactical items only (utility uniform coat and trousers must match). Deploying personnel may wear BDU or DCU GORE-TEX jackets while in CONUS (Continental United States) with ABUs while performing Contingency Skills Training (CST) only.

Safety and Compliance:

Commanders will continue to ensure compliance with uniform safety regulations. During the transition to the ABU, any concerns regarding safety, security, or medical compliance should be addressed through organizational chain of command to ensure appropriate coordination.

Exceptions to Policy:

Requests for exception to policy for ABU-related uniform policies should be routed through your major command (MAJCOM) A1 to AF/A1DO. Questions regarding ABU wear policy should be directed to the AFPC call center, at DSN 665-5000; commercial (210) 565-5000; or toll free, 1-800-616-3775, select options 1, 1, 2.

This message is a follow on to 072005Z February 2007 ABU wear policy message. Policy contained in this message is effective immediately. Additional information/FAQs about the ABU are located on the Air Force Portal uniform Web site at https://www.my.af.mil.