ABU

5.1.1. Men’s and Women’s Airman’s Battle Uniform (ABU) (Figure 5.2).

5.1.1.1. ABU Coat (Shirt, Long Sleeve). The ABU coat with button fastenings and an Air Force digitized tiger stripe print. The bottom of the ABU coat will rest at the hips. Pockets will be secured and items stowed in pockets will not be visible except pens stowed in the pen pocket on the sleeve. The top button of the ABU coat will not be fastened; however, all other buttons will be secured at all times. Commanders may authorize sleeves to be rolled up on the ABU coat; however, the cuffs will remain visible and the sleeve will rest at, or within 1 inch of, the forearm when the arm is bent at a 90-degree angle. Regardless as to whether the sleeves are rolled up or unrolled, the cuffs will remain visible at all times. The ABU coat may be removed in immediate work area as determined appropriate by local leadership; however, the ABU coat will be worn while interacting with customers/clients. When ABU coat is removed, t-shirt (as outlined below) will be worn. All accoutrements with the exception of the nametapes, CAP tapes, grade insignia, aviation badge, and chaplains badge remain optional for wear.

5.1.1.1.1. Grade Insignia.

5.1.1.1.1.1. Officer Grade Insignia. Officers will wear light silver, or for 2nd Lt and Majors gold, embroidered rank insignia on dark blue cloth. General Officer rank will be centered, perpendicular to, and begin 1 inch from the bottom of the collar. General officers will wear 1-inch stars; General Officers unable to wear 1-inch stars will wear ¾ inch stars. Colonel grade will be centered, perpendicular to, and 1 inch from the bottom of the collar. Colonel grade insignia is worn with the eagle’s beak facing forward. Lieutenant Colonel and Major’s grade will be centered 1 inch from the bottom of the collar with the stem parallel to the ground and pointing away from the wearer’s neck. The long end of the Lieutenant and Captain bars will be centered 1 inch from the bottom of the collar. All insignia will have 1/8 inch of blue showing at the widest and tallest point of insignia.

5.1.1.1.1.2. NCO Grade Insignia. NCOs will wear grade on the sleeves, either 4-inch or 3 ½ inch full color silver on dark blue chevrons. Chevrons will be centered on the outer arm halfway between the elbow and shoulder seam, when bent at a 90-degree angle. If sleeves are rolled up, chevrons do not need to be fully visible; however, rank must be distinguishable.

5.1.1.1.1.3. Cadet Officer Grade Insignia. Cadet Officers center regular size, full color insignia light silver on dark blue embroidered cloth sewn on the collar one inch from the front of the collar and centered. All light silver on dark blue insignia will have 1/8 inch of blue showing at the widest and tallest point of the insignia. Cadet Colonels and Cadet Captains may wear miniature, embroidered insignia. All insignia will have 1/8 inch of blue showing at the widest and tallest point of insignia.

5.1.1.1.1.4. Cadet Enlisted Grade Insignia. Cadet NCOs and Airmen wear metal chevrons on both sides of the collar. Insignia is 1 inch from and parallel to the front of the collar and centered. Cadet Airmen Basic wear no collar insignia.

5.1.1.1.2. Accoutrements. The total number of badges and patches worn will not exceed four. The Command Insignia, grade insignia, cloth name tape, and “Civil Air Patrol” tape do not count against this total.

5.1.1.1.2.1. Nametapes. Nametapes will be light silver block lettering on dark blue background. The nametapes will be worn immediately above the upper ABU coat pockets. Cut off or fold tapes to match pocket width. The “Civil Air Patrol” nametape will be worn above the upper ABU pocket on the wearer’s left. The last name nametape will be worn above the upper ABU pocket on the wearer’s right.

5.1.1.1.2.2. Left Sleeve. One full color, wing/region/national patch may be sewn to the coat on the left sleeve ½ inch below the shoulder seam reflecting the individual’s current unit of assignment. Wing Commanders may make wear of the wing patch mandatory for members of their wings.

5.1.1.1.2.3. Breast Pocket (optional). One full color patch authorized in Attachment 4, with the exception of the Emergency Services Patch and Ranger tabs, may be sewn to the shirt centered on the lower portion of the breast pocket(s) between left and right edges and bottom of flap and pocket of ABU shirt, using the column currently authorized for the BDU. These patches are optional for wear.

5.1.1.1.2.4. Aviation and Occupational Badges. Two Aviation or Occupational badges embroidered in silver on dark blue may be worn sewn to the shirt ½ inch above the “Civil Air Patrol” tape over the left breast pocket. The second badge will be centered ½ inch above the first badge. Chaplain and CAP aviation badges are mandatory. Not more than a combined total of two of these badges will be worn on the wearer’s left. When more than one CAP aviation badge is authorized, only one will be worn. If a military aviation badge (aeronautical, space or cyberspace) is worn, it will be worn in the second position. If chaplain badge is worn, it is worn in the higher position. Parachutist wings are optional; however, when worn will be placed above an occupational badge or below a chaplain, aeronautical, space or cyberspace badge. Occupational badges (excluding chaplain) are optional. All light silver on dark blue insignia will have 1/8 inch of blue showing at the widest and tallest point of the insignia.

5.1.1.1.2.5. CAP Command Insignia. Wear of this badge is mandatory for current and graduated commanders holding the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and below. If worn, current commanders will wear the embroidered light silver on dark blue insignia sewn to the shirt ½ inch above the name tape over the right pocket. Past commanders will wear the same insignia sewn ½ inch below the name tape on the flap of the right breast pocket. All light silver on dark blue insignia will have 1/8 inch of blue showing at the widest and tallest point of the insignia.

5.1.1.1.2.6. Military Badges. US military badges authorized for wear on the USAF-style uniform may be worn when earned through qualification, awarded by competent authority for service performed in any branch of the armed forces of the United States or its allies, AND authorized for wear on the USAF uniform by AFI 36-2903. Military badges will be placed in accordance with AFI 36-2903 and count towards the maximum of four badges worn on the uniform. USAF missile or excellence-in-competition badges are worn on the wearer’s left, and may be sewn to the shirt centered on the lower left portion of the left breast pocket between left and right edges and bottom of flap and pocket of ABU shirt, unless a CAP service badge must be worn in this position. Military badges on the ABUs may be worn in subdued colors if they cannot be obtained dark blue fabric.

5.1.1.2. T-Shirt. A standard Desert Tan short or long-sleeved t-shirt will be worn under the ABU coat. Unit commanders may prescribe unit designation emblems, subject to the approval of the wing commander, not to exceed 5 inches in diameter, in cloth or silk screen, worn on the left side of chest. Logos may also be placed on the back of the t-shirt with the approval of the wing commander. Neither unit designation emblems nor clothing company logos will be visible when wearing the ABU coat (shirt). Tan turtlenecks may also be authorized. Thermal undergarments may be desert sand, white or cream colored and are authorized for wear as weather conditions warrant. T-shirts and turtlenecks will not have pockets and all must be tucked into the trousers.

5.1.1.3. Trousers. Trousers will be with button fastenings and an Air Force digitized tiger stripe print. The trouser waistband will rest on the member’s waist. Pockets will be secured and items stowed in pockets will not be visible except pens stowed in the pen pocket. Tucking the ABU trouser into the boot is optional. Whether tucked in or bloused, the trouser must be evenly bloused (gathered in and draped loosely) over the top of the combat boot and must present a bloused appearance.

5.1.1.4. Belt. A standard Desert Tan belt will be worn. A rigger-style belt with a hook and loop buckle may be worn.

5.1.1.5. Footwear. Black socks and black combat boots are mandatory with this uniform.

5.1.1.6. Headgear. The ABU cap is the only authorized headgear with this uniform, except as outlined in paragraph 5.1.1.9.2 below. Headgear will be worn outdoors at all times, unless in a designated “no hat” area. Senior member officers will wear light silver, or for 2nd Lt and Majors gold, embroidered grade insignia on dark blue cloth centered on the front of the cap. CAP Chaplains may substitute the Chaplain Insignia for grade Insignia on the ABU cap. Cadet Officers will wear embroidered grade insignia on dark blue cloth centered on the front of the cap.

5.1.1.7. Optional Undergarments. Optional undergarments are worn in addition to the t-shirt/turtleneck.

5.1.1.7.1. Sleep Shirt. The sleep shirt may be worn under the ABU coat. The sleep shirt will not be worn as an outer garment. The sleep shirt will not be visible under the ABU coat except at the neck. The sleep shirt will be a solid color; colors authorized are green or sand.

5.1.1.7.2. Thermal Underwear. Desert sand, cream, or white thermal underwear may be worn under the ABU. Thermal underwear will not be worn as an outer garment. Thermal underwear will not be visible under the ABU trouser and coat except at the neck.

5.1.1.8. Cold Weather Accessories. Cold weather accessories will only be worn when wearing authorized outer garments (Exception: gloves worn solely with ABUs). With the exception of functional items, cold weather accessories are only worn while outdoors.

5.1.1.9. Additional items that may be authorized.

5.1.1.9.1. Encampments and Activities. Encampment Commanders and/or Activity Directors may authorize the wear of Encampment/Activity specific t-shirts or headgear for wear at the Encampment/Activity only. Examples of these items would be Baseball Caps, Berets (Blue Beret Activity only), or a different color t-shirt. Encampment/Activity specific items will not be worn outside of the Encampment/Activity. For the purpose of this regulation, an encampment/activity includes travel to and from the activity site and the member’s home.

5.1.1.9.2. Baseball Caps. Unit Commanders may authorize the wear of unit Baseball Caps for wear with the ABU, when approved by the Wing Commander. These caps will be conservative in color and will not be worn outside of unit activities. Red Baseball Caps may not be authorized as this color is reserved by the Air Force for specific special duty units.