Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC Lesson 2, Chapter 1 1 The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards.

Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC

Lesson 2, Chapter 1 1

The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards

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MotivationMotivation• From the ancient

Greeks to the Armed Forces today, the military uniform has represented a long and honorable tradition of devotion to one’s country.

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Lesson OverviewLesson Overview• What does the military uniform symbolize?• What is the history of the uniform?• How do you wear the Air Force uniform

properly?• What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?• What are special team uniforms?• What are the guidelines for cadet appearance

and grooming? • What are the insignia of grade?

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Quick WriteQuick WriteList the first three things you think of when you see a person in uniform.

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What does the military uniform symbolize?

What does the military uniform symbolize?

• The uniform symbolizes the nation’s defense forces and a long and honorable tradition of devoted service to country

• Should be worn proudly and properly• Key elements for wearing uniform:

• Neatness• Cleanliness• Safety• Military image

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What is the history of the uniform? (cont’d)

What is the history of the uniform? (cont’d)

• The origin of the military uniform goes back to an early date in Western civilization.• Athenian and Spartan soldiers in Greece dressed

according to position in military formations.• Heavy infantryman • Light-foot soldier

• A national army with a standard uniform appeared in England during the Great Rebellion (1642–1646).

• Units identified by colors and standards

• From this start, the military uniform evolved

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?


• The AFJROTC uniform is the same, with certain exceptions, as that worn by active duty Air Force personnel.• What are some exceptions?

• It is important to honor the uniform and to wear it properly.

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• Cadets may not wear the uniform• While hitchhiking, in demonstrations, for

crowd control, during political events

• Cadets may wear the uniform• While acting as ushers, parking lot

attendants, runners, or at discretion of SASI

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How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly? (cont’d)


• Parts of the Hatch Act bar military personnel from engaging in any form of public political activity while in uniform.

• These activities include• Attending rallies and political speeches and

passing out fliers• Publicly supporting a political candidate, party,

or political issue

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• However, members of the military• Are encouraged to vote• May place political bumper stickers or signs

on own vehicles or private property• Can participate in political events if not in

uniform and if not identifying selves as military members

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• Military personnel in uniform also cannot participate in events where it might be implied that the Air Force supports a particular cause.• Public speeches, rallies, interviews, picket lines,

and marches• Activities that might imply Air Force endorsement

of a commercial interest• Private employment

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• Most Air Force Junior ROTC units have published information on the cadet uniform and how to wear it.

• These are usually based on three publications (see AFJROTC Cyber-Campus Web site):

• AFI 36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel

• AFJROTCI 36-2001: Air Force Junior ROTC Operations

• AFJROTC Uniform and Awards Guide

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?

• Service uniform for males• Dark blue service coat and trousers• Light blue shirt• Dark blue tie

• Service uniform for females• Dark blue service coat with slacks or skirt • Light blue blouse• Tie tab

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards? (cont’d)


• Service uniform for both males and females• Form-fitting, properly fitting coat • Proper sleeve length• Proper coat length• Properly fitted trousers or slacks

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• Uniform do’s• Do wear the standard Air Force uniform properly.• Do wear the uniform on the day established by the SASI).• Do wear the uniform

• At other times specified by the SASI

• When you fly on military aircraft

• When participating in color guard or drill team• Do keep shoes polished and shined.• Do wear shoes appropriate for the activity.• Do keep badges and other metallic devices clean and free of

scratches and corrosion.• Do keep ribbons clean and replace them when they become worn,

frayed, or faded.

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What are the AFJROTC uniform standards (cont’d)

What are the AFJROTC uniform standards (cont’d)

• Uniform don’ts• Don’t wear the Air Force commissioned officer sleeve braid or

officer silver thread on flight caps.• Don’t wear the uniform with other clothing.• Don’t lend your uniform to someone not a member of AFJROTC

program.• Don’t allow articles such as wallets, pencils, pens, and combs to

be visible.• Don’t wear earphones or headphones while in uniform, unless

required by duty.• Don’t carry pagers or cell phones unless required for duty.

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What are special team uniforms?


• Special teams are• Color guards• Honor guards• Saber teams• Drill teams

• Special teams may wear additional uniform items or wear a distinctive, yet conservative, uniform of military style.

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• Except for color cords, these items or uniforms are worn only when performing duty as a member of a specialized group.

• Greater latitude is permitted in design of open competition drill team uniforms.

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and

grooming? (cont’d)


grooming? (cont’d)• Jewelry standards

• Cadets in uniform may wear• A wristwatch• Rings, but no more than three at one time• A neat, conservative wrist bracelet no wider than

one inch• Female cadets may wear conservative earrings.• Male cadets may not wear earrings.

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grooming? (cont’d)• Eyeglasses or sunglasses

• Must have conservative frames and lenses• Must not be faddish or have mirrored lenses• Cannot be worn around neck while in

uniform

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What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming?

(cont’d)


(cont’d)

• Tattoos or brands cannot be obscene or advocate discrimination.

• Excessive tattoos or brands will not be exposed or visible while in uniform.

• No objects may be displayed through nose, tongue, or any exposed body part.

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grooming? (cont’d)• Specific female cadet guidelines

• Hair• No longer than bottom of collar edge at back of

neck• Conservative style• Should look professional and allow headgear to

be worn properly• Must not be too full or high on head• Plain (if any) pins, combs, barrettes, etc.

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grooming? (cont’d)• Specific female cadet guidelines

• Skirt• Length of skirt may not vary beyond top and

bottom of kneecap.• Skirt should fit smoothly, should hang naturally,

and must not be excessively tight.

• Hosiery must be worn with the skirt.

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(cont’d)


(cont’d)• Specific male cadet guidelines:

• Hair• Must be clean, neat, and trimmed• Must not contain large amounts of grooming aids that

remain visible in hair• Should not touch ears or eyebrows• Should not touch collar, except for closely cut or shaved

hair on back of neck• Should not exceed 1¼ inches in bulk regardless of length

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grooming? (cont’d)• Hair con’t

• Must not protrude below the front band of headgear • Must have tapered appearance on sides and back• Must not have bulk or length that interferes with wearing

headgear properly• May not have foreign items attached• May have sideburns if they are straight, are of even width,

and end in a clean, horizontal line• Must not have extreme or faddish styles or colors

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What are the insignia of grade?What are the insignia of grade?• Active duty insignia of grade

• An insignia is a badge or mark of office or honor.• The Air Force grade insignia system is broken

down into two categories: • Officer grades• Enlisted grades

• Subdivided into two categories:• Airman• Noncommissioned Officers (NCO)

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What are the insignia of grade? (cont’d)


• The four Airman grades• Airman Basic (AB)• Airman (Amn)• Airman First Class (A1C)*• Senior Airman (SrA)

• For enlisted grades, the pay grade is always one more than the number of stripes.

• * If you join the military, you will come in with A1C

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• Proper methods of address when speaking to NCOs

• “Chief” for a Chief Master Sergeant

• “Sergeant” for all other sergeants• Use full titles in official correspondence.

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• Proper methods of address when speaking to officers• “Lieutenant” for a Second Lieutenant and a First

Lieutenant• “Colonel” for either a Lieutenant Colonel or a

Colonel• “General” for all generals

• Use full titles for official correspondence.

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Quick Quiz on Officer insigniaQuick Quiz on Officer insignia

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Quick Quiz on Enlisted insigniaQuick Quiz on Enlisted insignia

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• Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs)• Five Noncommissioned Officer grade

insignias

• Airmen serving in the grade of staff sergeant through chief master sergeant

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• First sergeants: diamond device above star on chevrons

• First sergeants may hold the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt), Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt), or Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt).

• These top senior NCOs hold a position of trust and responsibility as the link between the commander and the unit personnel.

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• The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)

• Holds highest position of any enlisted personnel• Acts as personal advisor to Air Force Chief of

Staff and Secretary of the Air Force• Provides information about welfare,

effectiveness, and progress of enlisted force

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AFJROTC Cadet insigniaAFJROTC Cadet insignia

• For officer grades, active duty grade insignia are very different from cadet grade insignia.

• For enlisted grades, there are only slight differences between active duty insignia and Junior ROTC insignia.

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• Cadet enlisted grade insignia• Cadet Airman—pointed chevron of 1 stripe,

with torch in the middle• Cadet Airman First Class—pointed chevron

of 2 stripes, with torch in the middle• Cadet Senior Airman—pointed chevron of 3

stripes, with torch in the middle• Cadet Staff Sergeant—pointed chevron of 4

stripes, with torch in the middle

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AFJROTC Cadet insigniaAFJROTC Cadet insignia• Cadet Technical Sergeant—pointed chevron of 5

stripes, with torch in the middle• Cadet Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 6

stripes, with one stripe inverted above the torch in the middle

• Cadet Senior Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 7 stripes, with two stripes inverted above the torch in the middle

• Cadet Chief Master Sergeant—pointed chevron of 8 stripes, with three stripes inverted above the torch in the middle

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AFJROTC Cadet insigniaAFJROTC Cadet insignia• Cadets, like active duty personnel,

may also wear other insignia (badges).

• There are also ribbons authorized for wear on the Air Force Junior ROTC uniform, as they are awarded.

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AFJROTC Cadet insignia AFJROTC Cadet insignia


Lesson 2, Chapter 1, The Military Uniform and Appearance

Standards

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Lesson reviewLesson review• The military uniform is the public symbol of

our nation's defense forces.• The military uniform evolved over centuries. • It is important to know how to wear the Air

Force uniform properly.• Certain restrictions apply to wearing the

military uniform.



Standards

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Lesson review (cont’d)Lesson review (cont’d)• The AFJROTC uniform is similar to that

of active duty Air Force personnel.

• Most AFJROTC units have published information on the cadet uniform and how to wear it.

• Special teams may wear additional uniform items.



Standards

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Lesson review (cont’d)Lesson review (cont’d)• Drill team uniforms allow greater

flexibility for completing routines.

• There are guidelines for appearance and grooming for male and female cadets.

• The standards for wearing the uniform are neatness, cleanliness, safety, and military image.



Standards

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Lesson review (cont’d)Lesson review (cont’d)• Grade insignia identify the rank of each

member of the Armed Forces.• The Air Force grade insignia system is

broken down into officer grades and enlisted grades.

• Enlisted grades are subdivided into Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) and airman grades.



Standards

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Lesson review (cont’d)Lesson review (cont’d)• For enlisted grades, JROTC cadet grade

insignia and Air Force active duty grade insignia vary only slightly.

• For officer grades, JROTC cadet grade insignia and Air Force active duty grade insignia are very different from each other.



Standards

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SummarySummary• What does the military uniform

symbolize?

• What is the history of the uniform?

• How do you wear the Air Force uniform properly?

• What are the AFJROTC uniform standards?



Standards

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Summary (cont’d)Summary (cont’d)• What are special team uniforms?

• What are the guidelines for cadet appearance and grooming?

• What are the insignia of grade?



Standards

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NextNextDone— The military uniform and

appearance standards

Next— Customs and courtesies forAir Force Junior ROTC

Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC Lesson 2, Chapter 1 1 The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards.

Documents

standard uniform

cadet uniform

uniform of military

contd service uniform

standard air force uniform

military uniform evolved

contd uniform dos

additional uniform items