Chapter 1

COMMANDERS' AUTHORITY AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1. Commanders' Authority. See tables 1.1 through 1.4 for commanders' responsibilities (Table 1.1), how to wear uniform items (Table 1.2), when to wear the uniform (Table 1.3), and personal grooming standards (Table 1.4).

Table 1.1. Commanders' Responsibilities.
To Maintain Uniformity and Good Order and Discipline
Major Command Commanders (See note 2).	Supplement this instruction.
	Authorize wear of functional clothing with service uniforms.
	Authorize wear of civilian clothing on-duty and standardize clothing by activity (see note 1).
	Prescribe wear of grade insignia, unit emblems, etc. on organizational or functional clothing.
	Determine acceptable off-base wear for flight clothing.
	Authorize subdued metallic command emblem.
	Provide at no cost to members, optional items directed to wear.
	Specify motorcycle and bicycle patrol uniforms.
Installation Commanders	Supplement this instruction.
	Prohibit offensive civilian clothes and personal grooming based on legal, moral, safety, or sanitary grounds.
	Require protective or reflective items when safety considerations make it appropriate.
	Authorize Table of Allowance (TA) 016 approved organizational clothing and equipment.
	Process requests for approval of distinctive clothing items.
	Authorize wear of functional clothing with service uniforms.
	Provide at no cost to members, optional items directed to wear.
	Process requests for issue allowance according to Air Force Manual (AFM) 67-1, USAF Supply Manual.
	Prescribe wear of outergarments and accessories with security police uniforms.
Theater Commanders	Prescribe the dress and personal appearance standards in the theater of operations. Supplements are not required.

NOTES:

1. All military personnel working in Services activities, such as the gymnasium, wear same type clothing, same type in hobby shops, etc.
2. For the purpose of this AFI, the National Guard Bureau is considered a MAJCOM.

 

Table 1.2. How Members Acquire Uniform Items (see notes).
Members:
Airmen	Procure and maintain all mandatory clothing items listed in AFI 36-3014, Clothing Allowances for Air Force Personnel. Request a civilian clothing allowance when required to wear civilian clothes.
Officers	Procure and maintain all items necessary to meet standards of dress for assigned duties and mission readiness.
Officers and Airmen	Purchase items from the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Military Clothing Sales Stores (MCSS) supplied by the Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC) or commercial vendors.
	Purchase items from commercial vendors when items have a USAF certification label.
	Do not purchase uniform items from unauthorized manufacturers

NOTES:

1. Uniform clothing may be altered to improve fit. However, alterations must not change the intended appearance of garment as designed.
2. The omission of a specific item or appearance standard does not automatically permit its wear.

Table 1.3. Wearing the Uniform.
Members:
Wear	Do not wear	Optional	When:
X	-	-	performing military duties (See notes 1 and 2.)
-	-	X	departing from a military airfield on DoD aircraft or US Government Commercial Contract Flights (service uniform combination) (See notes 3 and 4.)
-	-	X	departing from or arriving at commercial airports, or traveling on commercial contract flights (service uniform combination with tie or tie tab) (See note 3.)
-	-	X	traveling in a foreign country. Consult the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide.
-	X	-	uniform items do not meet Air Force specifications.
-	-	X	required uniform items are not prescribed.
-	X	-	participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches or rallies, or in any public demonstration when the Air Force sanction of the cause for which the activity is conducted may be implied.
-	X	-	furthering political activities, private employment,or commercial interests.
-	X	-	working in an off-duty civilian capacity.
-	X	-	it would discredit the Armed Forces.
-	X	-	in civilian attire. For example; grade insignia, cap devices, badges and insignia, distinctive buttons, etc.

NOTES:

1. On other Services' installations, comply with order of dress for that Service.
2. TDY personnel will comply with local policies established at each TDY location.
3. Those choosing to wear civilian clothing will ensure it is neat, clean, and warm enough for inflight operations and appropriate for the mode of travel and destination. Examples of inappropriate clothing include: ripped, torn, frayed, or patched clothing; tank tops, shorts, short skirts, undergarments worn as outergarment, bathing suits, sandals, and any garments which are revealing or contain obscene, profane, or lewd words or drawings.
4. The Battle Dress Uniform is an acceptable uniform when traveling between military installations.

Table 1.4. Personal Grooming Standards (see notes.).
L I N E	A	B	C
	Item of Grooming (M-Men, W-Women)	Will be/have	Will Not
1	Beards (M)		be worn except for health reasons when authorized by a commander on the advice of a medical officer. If commander autho-rizes, members keep facial hair trimmed not to exceed 1/4 inch in length. Individuals granted a shaving waiver will not shave any facial hair. Commanders and supervisors will monitor progress in treatment to control these waivers.
2	Cosmetics (W)	conservative and in good taste.
3	Hair, Overall Standard (M & W)	clean, well-groomed and neat. If dyed, will look natural.	contain excessive amount of grooming aids. Hair will not touch eye-brows when groomed or protrude below the front band of properly worn headgear. EXCEPTION: Hair may be visible in front of women's flight cap.
	Item of Grooming (M-Men, W-Women)	Will be/have	Will Not
4	Hair Style (M)	a tapered appearance on both sides and back, both with and without headgear. A tapered appearance is one that when viewed from any angle outlines the individual's hair so that it conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point. Block cut permitted with tapered appearance.	be worn in an extreme or fad style or in such a way that exceeds length or bulk standards or violates safety requirements. Will not touch the ears and only closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck may touch the collar. Will not exceed 1 1/4 inches in bulk, regardless of length and not exceed 1/4 inch at the natural termination point. Will not contain or have any visible foreign items attached to it.
5	Hair Style (W)	styled to present a professional appearance. Plain and conservative pins, combs, headbands, elastic bands, and barrettes similar to the individual's hair color permitted to keep hair in place.	be worn in an extreme or fad style or violate safety requirements. Will not extend in length on all sides below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground at the bottom edge of the shirt collar at the back of the neck. Will not exceed 3 inches in bulk or prevent proper wear of headgear. Will not include hair ornaments such as ribbons or jeweled pins.
6	Hairnets (M & W)	worn as required for safety. Made of cotton or a synthetic material; be of a conservative, solid color similar to the individual's hair color; be strong enough to support and control hair; and contain no metal fasteners.
7	Mustache (M)		extend downward beyond the lipline of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corner of the mouth. (This does not apply to individuals with shaving waivers.)
	Item of Grooming (M-Men, W-Women)	Will be/have	Will Not
8	Sideburns (M)	neatly trimmed and tapered in the same manner as the haircut. Will be straight and of even width (not flared) and end in a clean-shaven horizontal line.	extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. (This does not apply to individuals with shaving waivers.)
9	Wigs and Hairpieces (M & W)	in conformance with the same standards required for natural hair, be of good quality, and fit properly.	exceed limits stated for natural hair. Will not be worn by personnel engaged in aircraft flight line or inflight operations.
10	Wigs and Hairpieces (M)	of good quality and fit properly.Members must have their medical records documented to wear a wig or hairpiece to cover baldness or disfiguration. Other male personnel will not wear wigs or hairpieces.
11	Nail Polish (W)	conservative, single color, and in good taste.	contain any ornamentation.

NOTES:

1. The items listed represent the most common appearance issues. The list is not all inclusive.
2. Commanders do not have the authority to waive appearance and grooming standards except as identified in table 1.4, line 1.