'Did you know': MPF releases tips on cold-weather gear

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, applies to all active-duty Air Force members, members of the United States Air Force Reserve and members of the Air National Guard. It directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. It describes minimum standards of personal appearance of Air Force members.

We hope to be a great service to you, and if you have any questions in regards to wear of the Air Force uniform, please send your questions to 3mss/custsvc@elmendorf.af.mil. We will pick the best questions and answer them the following week. 

This week, Sergeant Looksharp is going to answer a question that came from the field. 

Question: Is the black knit cap (Watch Cap) authorized for wear with the ABU uniform, or is that one just for the BDU uniform? 

Answer: Watch caps, if worn, must be black or sage green with the ABU uniform. 

Air Force Personnel Center recently released a message with ABU updates ... 

It is that time of year again and the cold weather is setting in. Here are some notes on authorized cold weather gear for wear with the ABU. Turtle necks are authorized and must be desert sand colored. When conditions dictate, thermal undergarments can be worn and be exposed at the neck of the ABU. The authorized colors for thermal undergarments are white, cream or desert sand colored. Gloves can be either black or sage green and the material may be leather, suede or knit. Black scarves can be worn with the All-Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) Jacket, but must be tucked in. Watch caps, if worn, must be black or sage green. Earmuffs must be black. 

Installation commanders may authorize wear of the BDU Gore-tex and/or field jackets with ABU's when other approved cold weather options are unavailable or unsuitable for duty. This policy has been extended through April 30, 2009. However, the continued objective is to avoid mixing and matching items; specifically ABU's with BDU items. 

Please note that ABU's are not mandatory until 2011.