Latest news with #uniformstandards
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Air Force updates uniform standards including new rules for boots
The Air Force wants to see boots that are high, eyelashes that are real and officers ready for combat. Or at least with the right uniform for it. The changes are among four updates the service announced to its dress and uniform standards Thursday that it will begin enforcing in the next few months. The new rules outlaw sneaker-like boots or shoes and eyelash extensions, and require all officers to keep at least one utility uniform — called the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms, or OCPs — in their closet. Also: you can now roll your sleeve cuffs up a little on hot days. No more short boots The biggest change is a new mandatory height for all combat boots. 'Combat boots must now be between 8-12 inches in height from the bottom of the heel tread to the top of the back of the boot,' the service said in a release. Soles of boots also may not exceed 2 inches in height. The new rule will exclude many boots currently for sale that are less than 8 inches tall, including sneaker-style hiking and trail running shoes that many companies now market in materials and subdued colors that match military requirements. Eyelashes and OCPs Eyelash extensions are also now prohibited, after being authorized for the last four years. Exceptions, the memo said, will be available for medical conditions. For OCPs, officers must now have a set available and up to date, even if they rarely are expected to wear it to work, such as pilots who routinely wear flightsuits. 'All Air Force officers, regardless of career field, must maintain at least one complete set of either the non-fire-retardant operational camouflage pattern uniform or an improved hot weather combat OCP uniform,' the release said. And for those in OCPs, the new rules allow cuffs to be rolled twice for heat or ease of work with the sleeves still being considered 'rolled down.' Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi wrote in a note on his official Facebook page that the eyelash rules will take effect in 30 days, while the boots and uniform rules will become effective within 90 days. 'This update is based on feedback from our NCOs & the Standards and Readiness Reviews across the force,' Flosi wrote. The rules updates are the second round of small-scale changes the Air Force has announced to its dress and appearance rules this year. In February, the service did away with duty identifier patches and an array of previously allowed nail polish colors, tightened up male hair and shaving standards, and returned the long-absent definition of a 'gig line' — the vertical alignment of fly, belt and shirt edge — to its regulations. The latest on Task & Purpose Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps learns an old lesson: Don't mess with Audie Murphy A breakdown of safety procedures 'directly contributed' to an 82nd Airborne paratrooper's death WWII Marine Raider who fought at Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal wants cards for 100th birthday Navy identifies special warfare sailor killed while parachuting Pentagon appears to pause renaming of Navy ships Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps learns an old lesson: Don't mess with Audie Murphy
Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz was just doing what many senior enlisted Marines do: Looking out for uniform standards. Instead, he stepped into a hornet's nest. In a since-deleted Instagram post, Ruiz used an old picture to make a point about uniform standards, blurring out the face of a soldier wearing a medal-strewn, World War II-era uniform. 'Uniform standards have entered the group chat!' Ruiz wrote on two slides. 'Exhibit A: This is what it looks like when we don't have a standard. Make sure to check out MCO 1020.34H for all uniform guidance!' However, the photo was of Audie Murphy, the single most decorated American soldier of World War II and one of the most decorated American service members of all time. The image was quickly taken down after soldiers and Marines on the services' respective Reddit boards had a field day as they united online in confusion and sarcasm to (lightly) roast the top-enlisted Marine. Ruiz, who seems to be well-liked as a senior Marine who has kept his focus on issues of importance to junior Marines, whether they be serious or just plain funny, quickly deleted the post and appeared to issue a full apology on Instagram. 'Earlier today I posted a picture of a great American hero, Audie Murphy,' Ruiz wrote in an Instagram story. 'In poor taste, I linked his uniform to today's regulations. My sincere apologies, as I meant no disrespect. There is a history linked to that photo and why his decorations are where they are. It shouldn't have happened and there are no excuses.' Separately, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps told Task & Purpose the post was an 'unforced error where the message being sent should have used a Marine as an example.' It said that there was no intent to 'disparage a great American soldier.' In light of all this, we felt it might be handy to create a simple and easy-to-follow primer for any other sergeants major or first sergeants out there who may want to harken back to history for examples of why the Corps is so hardcore on uniform regulations. Next time, leave Audie Murphy out of it and just use a photo like this: The Air Force fitness test may soon include 2-mile runs twice a year 'War Thunder' continues to live up to its reputation for OPSEC violations Guardsmen sent to LA are 130 miles east of the city doing drug busts Lightning Carriers: The Marines' secret weapon in the Pacific Pentagon releases details of 'Midnight Hammer' strikes against Iran
