Chapter 23 - Dress and Appearance

Question 1

Are established to ensure every Airman reflects pride in personal appearance, professionalism, and esprit de corps

Answer 1

Dress and Personal Appearance Standards

Question 2

Hair Standards

Answer 2

Hair will be clean, well-groomed, neat, and present a professional appearance.

Question 3

Men’s Hair

Answer 3

Men’s hair must have a tapered appearance on the sides and back, both with and without headgear. Hair will not exceed 11⁄4 inches in bulk regardless of length, and will not exceed 1⁄4 inch at the natural termination point.

Question 4

Men’s Facial Hair

Answer 4

Beards are not authorized unless for medical reasons when authorized by a commander on the advice of a medical official and maintained within acceptable standards. If authorized by the commander, members must keep facial hair trimmed not to exceed 1⁄4 inch in length

Question 5

Women’s Hair

Answer 5

Hair cannot extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground at the bottom edge of the shirt collar, regardless of length. Hair will not exceed 3 1⁄2 inches in bulk. Bangs and side-swept hair will not touch the eyebrows

Question 6

Cosmetics

Answer 6

Cosmetics must be conservative, in good taste, and will not be worn in field conditions. unauthorized colors include purple, gold, blue, black, bright red, and fluorescent colors

Question 7

Fingernails

Answer 7

Fingernails must be clean, well-groomed, not exceed 1⁄4 inch in length past tip of finger, and not interfere with duty performance or hinder proper fit of prescribed safety equipment or uniform items. unauthorized colors include purple, gold, blue, black, bright red, and fluorescent colors

Question 8

Body Piercing and Ornamentation

On Duty

Answer 8

While on-duty, in uniform or civilian attire, on or off a military installation, with the exception of authorized earrings, all members are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, on the teeth, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform)

Question 9

Body Piercing and Ornamentation

Off Duty

Answer 9

While off-duty, in civilian attire, on a military installation, with the exception of wear in areas in and around military family and privatized housing, and with the exception of earrings, all members are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part

Question 10

Body Piercing and Ornamentation

Female Earrings

Answer 10

Women may wear small (not exceeding 6 millimeters in diameter), spherical or square, conservative white diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver earrings as a set with any uniform combination

Question 11

The Air Force defines a tattoo as

Answer 11

A picture, design, or marking made on the skin or other areas of the body by staining it with an indelible dye or any other method, including pictures, designs, or markings only detectible or visible under certain conditions (such as ultraviolet or invisible ink tattoos)

Question 12

The Air Force defines a brand as

Answer 12

A picture, design, or other marking that is burned into the skin or other areas of the body

Question 13

The Air Force defines a body marking as

Answer 13

Pictures, designs, or other markings as a result of using means other than burning to permanently scar or mark the skin

Question 14

Though the Air Force has lifted tattoo size restrictions, tattoos, brands, and body markings on

Answer 14

All remain unauthorized

• The head
• The neck
• The face
• The tongue
• The lips
• The scalp

Question 15

Body Alterations and Modifications

Answer 15

Intentional alterations or modifications to a member’s body that result in a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms, or otherwise detracts from a professional military image, are prohibited

Question 16

Body Alterations and Modifications

Examples

Answer 16

• Tongue splitting
• Tongue forking
• Tooth filing
• Acquiring visible disfiguring skin implants
• Gouging (piercing holes large enough to permit light to shine through)

Question 17

When to Wear the Uniform

During Travel

Answer 17

When traveling in an official capacity on commercial air in the Continental United States (to include Alaska and Hawaii), the service dress uniform (Class A), blue uniform (Class B), ABU, or OCP may be worn, as appropriate. Wear of the FDU/DFDU is not authorized on commercial air

Question 18

When using frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business or first class, Air Force members may

Answer 18

Not wear military uniforms, due t public perception it can create

Question 19

Wear or use of an earpiece, any blue tooth technology, or headphones while in uniform, indoors or outdoors is

Answer 19

Prohibited

Earpieces/Bluetooth technology

Question 20

When to Wear the Uniform

Social Functions

Answer 20

Air Force members attending a military event must wear the appropriate uniform or civilian attire, as requested by the host or hostess, or directed by the commander

Question 21

Uniform Wear Restrictions

Answer 21

When eating at off-base restaurants where most diners wear business attire, or at establishments that operate primarily to serve alcohol, Air Force members will not wear the ABU, OCP, or FDU/DFDU

Question 22

Uniform Wear Restrictions

Cont.

Answer 22

Air Force members may not wear uniform items to further political activities; for private employment or commercial interests; while participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches or rallies; or at any public demonstration when the perception may exist that the Air Force sanctions the cause

Question 23

Accessory Standards

Answer 23

• Jewelry will be plain and conservative
• Eyeglasses and sunglasses will not be worn around the neck, on top/back of head, or exposed hanging on the uniform
• Wear or use of an earpiece, blue tooth technology, or headphones while in uniform, indoors or outdoors, is prohibited

Question 24

Authorized Occupational Badges

Answer 24

• A maximum of two occupational badges may be worn
• When wearing two occupational badges, wear the one representing the current career field (regardless of level earned) in the top position
• If authorized, the second occupational badge is worn in the top position and centered 1⁄2 inch above the first

Question 25

Men’s Blue Shirt and Women’s Blouse Accoutrements

Enlisted Insignia

Answer 25

Enlisted Insignia. Enlisted will wear 3 1⁄2 or 4 inch chevron rank centered on the outer arm halfway between the shoulder seam and elbow when bent at a 90-degree angle (long sleeved-shirt) or bottom edge of the sleeve (short sleeved-shirt)

Question 26

Men’s Blue Shirt and Women’s Blouse Accoutrements

Ribbons

Answer 26

• All, some, or no ribbons and devices will be worn.

- Align bottom of the ribbons with the bottom of the name tag on the opposite side

Question 27

Trousers, Slacks

Wear for Men and Women

Answer 27

The back of the Trousers/Slacks legs will be 7⁄8 inch longer than the front

Question 28

Service Dress Coat Accoutrements

US Lapel Insignia

Answer 28

US Lapel Insignia. The US lapel insignia is placed halfway up the seam, resting on but not over it. The “US” letters in the insignia are parallel with the ground. “US” insignias for officers do not have circles. Circles are worn around the US insignias for enlisted personnel only

Question 29

Service Dress Coat Accoutrements

Name tag

Answer 29

The name tag is metal engraved, brushed satin silver finish with the last name engraved in blue lettering. The name tag will be centered on the wearer’s right between the sleeve seam and lapel and the bottom of name tag will be parallel with bottom of ribbons

Question 30

Service Dress Coat Accoutrements

Ribbons

Answer 30

Wear ribbons centered, resting on (but not over) the edge of the pleated pocket on the wearers left

Question 31

Military Uniforms - ABU/OCP

Name tag and US Airforce tape Locations

Answer 31

• Name tag - Always right side
  (right always right)
• Air Force Tape - Left
  (Service on heart)