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Tan boots, other AF uniform items to be phased out
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Several modifications made to the Air Force's instruction on dress and personal appearance will become effective Nov. 1.
On July 18, Air Force officials revised Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance, to phase out the battle dress uniform; black shirts and black combat boots; desert camouflage uniform; and tan boots (excluding Airmen deployed to the area of responsibility).
Airmen are reminded that the wear of the airman battle uniform and ABU items will be mandatory as of Nov. 1. Of concern to Vandenberg's Military Clothing Sales store personnel, because of the Air Force instruction update, is its inventory of sage green boots.
"We have seen a rush of people coming in here to purchase the sage green boots," said Nick Reisbeck, Military Clothing Sales supervisor. "We are trying to accommodate as best as we can by getting ready for the change."
With more than a month's time until Airmen must comply with the dress and appearance updates, now is the time to prepare for the changes, said Reisbeck.
"It's better to get in and purchase the required boots as soon as possible," he said. "If we run out of a style of boots, we are able to order more, but it might take some time for them to come in."
Rather than wait until the last minute to order the required boots, base leadership is asking all Vandenberg Airmen to take a more proactive approach.
"There has been ample time for all personnel to purchase boots through AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) in the store or online," said Chief Master Sgt. Suzanne Talbert, 30th Space Wing command chief. "And I would expect all to meet the standards or be held accountable for their lack of attention to the policy."
Base leadership calls upon Airmen not only to adhere to the uniform updates themselves, but to also monitor and remind other Airmen of compliance standards prior to Nov. 1.
"By this time I would hope all our Airmen have purchased the authorized green boots and their supervisors have asked the question to those that are still wearing the tan boots," Talbert said.
For online dress and appearance information, go to the dress and appearance webpage on the Air Force Personnel Center's website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/dress/index.asp.