Stay safe, toasty - and within the regulations

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  As JBER sinks into winter and the temperatures decline enough for even Frosty the Snowman to develop frostbite without proper protection, Soldiers and Airmen need to wear their uniforms safely and properly.

Air Force Col. Brian Bruckbauer, 673d Air Base Wing and JBER commander, recently signed an updated version of the Commander's Guidance Memorandum to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance, effective through April 30, 2015.

For Soldiers and their families, the regulations can be found in the U.S. Army Alaska Blue Book.

"Anyone on the installation can download this book," said Army Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Wright, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division brigade master arctic trainer. "They can learn how to properly layer up, regardless of uniform. It shows things like what type of socks to wear, which is important, because keeping your skin from exposure is key."

"Ensure that you are layering up appropriately to the temperature outside," the Soldier and native of Crow Point, Ind., said. "That is key. So at negative 15 degrees, you should have silk weights and a waffle shirt on.

"When you put on headgear, keep it on until you are completely inside. The weather dictates what you wear," he said. "It's the individual's responsibility to understand the uniform. Ensure that you wear the proper uniform."

USARAK's Blue Book can be accessed at www.usarak.army.mil/documents/arctic_warrior_standards.pdf.

Soldiers and families can also reference a smart card at www.wainwright.army.mil/nwtc/Classes/Cold_Weather_Smart_Card_Mar_2013.pdf. Additional information on extreme cold-weather gear is available at www.wainwright.army.mil/nwtc/cwic.htm.





Airmen and a Soldier demonstrate proper wear of cold weather gear and extreme cold-weather uniform items. As temperatures drop, service members need to be aware of wind chill and ensure they have the right gear for the duty day. Supervisors also need to be aware of weather forecasts to be sure troops know what to expect and prepare accordingly. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett)		 By the numbers: there's a correct way to wear winter gear