Commander issues cold-weather uniform guidance

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The winter season has officially begun at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and Airmen have newly released uniform guidance authorizing and identifying proper wear of cold weather and safety items.

Air Force Col. Brian Duffy, JBER and 673d Air Base Wing commander, implemented the rules for this year in a guidance memorandum signed Sept. 16 and distributed this week. The guidance supplements Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, due to the arctic environmental conditions here.

In the memo, Duffy designated the winter period as Sept. 15 through April 30, 2014. The policy addresses the proper wear of authorized cold weather uniforms and accessories, as well as reflective belts worn for visibility purposes. It is effective immediately and applies to assigned JBER Air Force members. Soldiers must continue to follow applicable uniform guidance provided through U.S. Army-Alaska.

To enhance safety, Airmen must wear reflective belts outdoors with all uniform combinations during hours of darkness or periods of limited visibility. This does not apply to physical training gear with reflective properties. The guidance also addresses exceptions and other situations, such as for Security Forces members and for those attending official functions or ceremonies in the service dress, mess-dress, or semi-formal uniforms.

The 673 ABW's top enlisted member emphasized that the belts are all about safety - and should be an automatic thought.

"Because it's getting darker each day this time of year, and is already dark in the morning for those with a 7:30 a.m. duty start-time, it's important for Airmen to wear a reflective belt as part of the uniform of the day," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Call, 673 ABW command chief master sergeant. "Whether it's keeping a belt in the car, at the office, or in a cargo pocket, Airmen should take whatever steps are necessary to ensure their safety and compliance with the policy."

With colder temperatures, warmer uniform items are necessary for well-being and comfort. But as with any uniform, members must maintain proper standards of wear.

The memorandum addresses many items specifically, and leaders will communicate the policies widely. Commanders and supervisors will exercise oversight to ensure adherence, while using a common sense approach to make sure Airmen are properly dressed for the work center and commute.


Some highlights are:
  • Watch caps (black or sage green) must fit snugly over the top of the head, fit squarely on the head, with no bunching or sagging. Members may use watch caps and gloves made of performance materials (such as fleece, neoprene, polypropylene) unless restricted by safety directives in a work area.

  • If using the hood on any authorized cold-weather parka or jacket, Airmen must still wear appropriate headgear as well - such as the watch cap, Airman Battle Uniform patrol cap, flight cap, or SF beret.

  • The NB2 (short) Parka is authorized for wear if available, but no longer authorized for new purchase. It is not allowed with the service dress, mess dress, or semi-formal uniforms - the ABU pattern is not authorized with any blue uniform combination.

  • The NB3 (long) Extreme Cold Weather Parka, sage green/ABU, is allowed, but also not authorized for wear with the blue uniforms.

  • Airmen wearing the Gen III-Level 7 Extreme Cold Weather Parka will display name, Air Force, and rank insignia in the same manner as directed for the sage green fleece jacket in AFI 36-2903.

  • Airmen may wear sage green full or half face masks/balaclava, or hood fleece five-way green style hats with ABU and fire department uniform combinations. The face mask must match the authorized color of head gear. Members may use the hood fleece as a face mask, hood and face mask combination, or as a neck warmer while wearing an ABU patterned outer garment. Hoods are not considered headgear, so appropriate headgear must still be in place under the hood.

  • Only black cold-weather boots and gloves are allowed with service dress, mess dress, or semi-formal uniforms. Black or sage green gloves are allowed with other combinations, such as the ABU and FDU.

  • Ice cleats are allowed with any uniform when conditions warrant.

  • Airmen may wear authorized military boots with the PT uniform while walking to and from fitness centers, but not for short convenience stops.

  • Those performing duties outside for an extended period of time may wear winter-style footwear, insulated coveralls or bib-style pants with jacket (black, brown or navy blue in color).


Airmen can view a photo gallery -- which shows many of these authorized uniforms and accessories being worn properly and improperly -- on the JBER Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JBERAK.