Leaderboard

Funny this thing about flyers wearing the bag but I've never heard "I wish that TACP/PJ/CRO/SERE/Security Forces guy wouldn't wear his beret, it makes me feel like he doesn't represent me". Why is the bag the only distinct uniform non-flyers seem to get butt hurt about? If you need a fellow Air Force officer to wear a set of ABUs to make you feel like he represents you then I'm truly sorry your view of your fellow airman have come down to their clothes.

For those of us in the space ops world, the memories of flightsuits are still fresh. Though I completely supported space folks switching to ABUs, I still miss what was the best "uniform" I've ever worn. First, the myriad patch options significantly boosted morale; the distinctive unit nametags and morale patches that straddled good order and discipline just make it a fun uniform. Second, the number of pockets, all in the best locations, is something the ABU will never come close to. Why yes, I do have a pocket just for my coin and chapstick. Third, white socks. Fourth, easy access. Fifth, Velcro straps are ideally suited for the consumption of large meals and large quantities of beverage. Sixth, the flight cap is a superior cover for wearing shades. The one down-side of the flightsuit is that the material was specially designed with one way flow properties that allow no heat to escape in the summer, and frigid air/wind to penetrate in the winter. Basically what I am saying is that people realize just how much better the flightsuit is than their uniform, and that can be tough. But at the end of the day, if you want to wear a flightsuit, do a job that wears flightsuits. If you want to grow a beard and wear Merrells, sign up for special forces. If your uniform is ABUs, STFU and wear your ABUs.

And that's the crux of the problem. Most non-rated people who suffer from uniform insecurity focus on one thing - flight suits. Let's not make it about bags, let's make it about wearing the appropriate uniform for your daily duties. I'll wear blues if I'm not going to fly/sim. MX wears ABUs or coveralls. Management and office workers wear blues. Problem solved. Wait, you don't like that? You want to wear your ABUs while you sit in an air conditioned office from 0730-1630? Copy, it's not about pragmatism or form fitting function. It's about your flightsuit envy. Grow the fvck up and worry about something important, like doing your job.

As a flyer, I would prefer that ABU wearers had patches so I could tell where they worked. About the only enlisted badges I recognize are MX and ATC.

As a prior-E, I never once thought twice about my leadership wearing a bag. When I was in the AMXS, my MG/CC was a flyer and he very rarely wore BDUs. The first time I saw him in BDUs, I thought it was weird that he wasn't wearing his bag (since he was still on flying status). He was a great leader and none of us gave a shit what uniform he wore, I had other things to worry about, like my job! To 17Ds point, I think they need to bring back patches on the ABUs. I think it's a very small thing that goes a long way for our non-flyer force. It's ridiculous that we ever got rid of them.

The secret was using the AF or Army rule that was most advantageous to your given situation. During an ALO rotation to Ft. Irwin, we did the hurry up and wait thing in convoy formation starting at 9am prior to moving into the field at 4pm. I had the cover and windshield on my HMMWV and the Battalion Exec comes up and asks why we haven't removed those items like our Army brethren. My ETAC quickly pulls the appropriate reg saying we can keep it due to the radio gear. The Exec said, "When in Rome, you should do as the Romans do." My response was "I'm not a Roman." The driving of the Humvee did seem to irritate them so I always drove.

It's been suggested to me from time to time on BODN that I EABOD... but, I didn't know there was a cookbook!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/148259143X

I kinda-sorta understand this whole discussion, but it really seems like some whiny bitches trying to make something out of nothing. For my experiences personally, butthurt is too strong a word. As medical, I've only felt bewilderment at certain flight docs that would wear a flight suit despite not flying for several months and not going to fly for several months (usually a medical DNIF, waiver pending). Who are you trying to impress? The patients from the squadron you would fly with but that haven't seen you for months. Why are you wearing something that you cannot use? Nothing is going to happen that will require you to immediately jump in the seat for a scramble alert. The response I always got was the bag is more comfortable and it required less time to put on in the morning, which just signified laziness to me, but I'm lazy and I'd probably do the same thing if I could.

Dude, poo poo it all you want. It's human nature. Know your audience, dress appropriately.

https://www.reddit.com/r/interstellar/comments/2luol0/interstellar_for_dummies_guide_spoilers/

I'm one of the few Army Aviation guys lucky enough to have worked in a Joint SOC environment on a broadening assignment, even there you get a lot of he same dumb grunt questions and stupid statements. We had a briefing and the deputy at a certain COCOM sitting next to a certain 4 star commanding that COCOM said "if you release the bomb are we sure it's going to impact the ground......" We were talking about GBU-49s so yeah pretty damn sure gravity still works and short of a worm hole that was going to happen. Also I was the one guy in the theatre that flew helicopters (seriously we checked). The only one..... Had an Army full bird make me look like a liar and one of our partner Generals who took my recommendation to his bosses look like a moron when he talked to the foreign Air Force commander. Apparently he knew more about helicopters from his time as an infantry commander than I did having flown them most of the last decade. I used to tell the AF guys I worked with, being Army to Army doesn't give us some better understanding or anything from the ground dudes. They ask us to do as much stupid infuriating shit as they ask you, the difference is I don't have an ALO to protect me when I tell them they are retarded. It's like we are the same moths, I'm just way closer to the fire.

Kinda like all the hubbub about camo patterns. Lots of hate and envy when we should be talking about what works and is efficient. If you work in an office environment, you should probably wear blues (as much as I hate them, due to material and cut). If you work in the field, you should probably wear an infantry type uniform in effective camo (what the ABU should have been but isn't). If you work in an industrial environment...probably just wear the infantry type stuff, if it works (keeps logistics easier). If you fly, wear a flight suit...you know, the thing purpose built for the task! If you do work in multiple environments, pick what works best. ...besides, pilots don't think they're better than everyone else because of the flight suit. They'd still think they're better, even in a leisure suit. ;)

Tell them they are retarded. I saw an email today from the 1C0X2 CFM at HQ AF/A3 saying 1042 is still valid, and there is no mandate to use it (yet). Other than on the form, show me a reg forcing use of the 2992. Forms are not regulations--regulations are regulations. And AFI 48-123 says either form is acceptable.