ABU = Equine Corpse

[abdsp51]

The ABU is not going anywhere any time soon, especially with the cost involved.  With the USAF doing furloughs for the civilian force, force management, and cutting flying hours across the board, uniform development and phasing it in are at the bottom of the pile.

Unless the initiative is DOD or GSA-driven.

The DOD is making cuts across the board and changing uniforms is the furthest thing from their minds.  The cost for that to happen currently would just add the economic woes we are facing.  There are far more important issues at hand for the DOD and GSA than what any branch is wearing.

[RiverAux]

You know, at some point someone is going to realize that CAP has gone years without a field uniform like the AFs and they're going to say, "why fix something that isn't broken?". 

Every month that we remain different increases the chances that we will stay different as having different CAP/AF uniforms will be seen as the norm, both by CAP and by the AF. 

[Eclipse]

Every month that we remain different increases the chances that we will stay different as having different CAP/AF uniforms will be seen as the norm, both by CAP and by the AF.

Excellent point.

As to the cost in retiring the ABU for the USAF, it could be basically zero.  They are already using the OEF uniform, so there's no development needed.
Simply phase out the ABU and start issuing OEF as replacements and to new recruits.  In a year or two it's done, lot's of money saved and
back to the services having a single combat uniform (except for the Marines).

[PHall]

Every month that we remain different increases the chances that we will stay different as having different CAP/AF uniforms will be seen as the norm, both by CAP and by the AF.

Excellent point.

As to the cost in retiring the ABU for the USAF, it could be basically zero.  They are already using the OEF uniform, so there's no development needed.
Simply phase out the ABU and start issuing OEF as replacements and to new recruits.  In a year or two it's done, lot's of money saved and
back to the services having a single combat uniform (except for the Marines).

The AF is NOT using the OEF uniform except for the airmen who are actually in Afghanistan, which is maybe a thousand airmen or so.
The OEF uniform is not worn outside of Afghanistan, period...

99% of the Air Force is still wearing the ABU and as of right now there are no plans to replace it.

[Eclipse]

The OEF uniform is not worn outside of Afghanistan, period...

Today...

[PHall]

The OEF uniform is not worn outside of Afghanistan, period...

Today...

Been that way ever since they introduced that uniform a couple of years ago.

[abdsp51]

The OEF uniform is far more expensive than the ABU or ACU, and would cost an arm and a leg for members who would not be issued these uniforms to procure.  The AF has no plans to replace the ABU anytime soon, and again as stated before with budget cuts there are more important things to worry about than the uniform, and the GSA does not dictate how the DOD spends funds and does not dictate uniform policy to the DOD.

[jimmydeanno]

The OEF uniform is far more expensive than the ABU or ACU, and would cost an arm and a leg for members who would not be issued these uniforms to procure.  The AF has no plans to replace the ABU anytime soon, and again as stated before with budget cuts there are more important things to worry about than the uniform, and the GSA does not dictate how the DOD spends funds and does not dictate uniform policy to the DOD.

I think that the plan outlined above would be to first issue them to new recruits coming in.  There would be a phaseout date for the ABUs for existing members.  Since existing enlisted members get uniform allowances anyway, there would only be the cost in whatever the difference between the ABU and OEF.  Phaseouts assume normal wear and tear is going to make your uniforms unserviceable anyway and need replacement. 

It's not DoDs problem if the people that they give clothing allowances to use it for beer or a car payment.  The only ones that it would really cost anything for would be the Officers, who are responsible for their own uniforms anyway.

[abdsp51]

The uniform allowance is meager at best doesn't allow for a full replacement of uniforms especially the quantity required.  And AF members are required to only buy from approved sources which adds to the cost.  Any other uniform item that requires replacing outside of certain circumstances requires the member to pay out of pocket.  And enlisted members only get issued uniforms at basic, any special items per their AFSC, or when a TDY or deployment tasking requires it. 

[lordmonar]

Every month that we remain different increases the chances that we will stay different as having different CAP/AF uniforms will be seen as the norm, both by CAP and by the AF.

Excellent point.

As to the cost in retiring the ABU for the USAF, it could be basically zero.  They are already using the OEF uniform, so there's no development needed.
Simply phase out the ABU and start issuing OEF as replacements and to new recruits.  In a year or two it's done, lot's of money saved and
back to the services having a single combat uniform (except for the Marines).

Ehhhhhh.....NO....
First thing....."development costs" include the up front cost of getting the uniforms into supply.
Second only about 5% of the force has the OEF uniforms.
Third......add the costs of replacing all body armor, web gear and other ABU/ACU stuff.

Eclipse.....you have no idea how the military does things....it's not that simple and it is not that cheap.

[Private Investigator]

Until a moderator kills it with a pistol shot...

Flyer

You forgot CAP is not allowed to be armed as noncombatants. So the horse and us will continue to suffer.