Traveling in Blues?

[skippytim]

I have a question. When traveling to a NCSA; is it permitted for a cadet to travel via commercial airlines in their Air Force Blues Uniform?

[lordmonar]

may wear service dress uniform or light blue, short or long sleeve shirt/blouse with tie/tab and the all-weather coat, overcoat, and
raincoat when traveling by commercial means (other than to and from local CAP activities) (see note 2).

[PA Guy]

Yes, it is permitted but I wouldn't recommend it.

[lordmonar]

Yes, it is permitted but I wouldn't recommend it.

Why not?

[Stonewall]

In 1987 I flew up to DC to stay with my grandparents for week then my sister for a week.  G'parents were at Ft. Myer and sister was at Ft. Meade.  I loved the DC area for it's military atmosphere so I wanted to look the part.  As goofy as it may seem, I wore my short-sleeve blues on the plane up to BWI.

I didn't ask permission, check a reg or care about getting in trouble.  Then, I wore my blues to the Twilight Tattoo the Old Guard put on on the Elipse, Sunset Parade the USMC put on and then a retirement ceremony up at Ft. Ritchie (now Ft. Detrick).  Oh, and did I mention that I wore it to the Pentagon to have lunch with my uncle?

Yep, I was that guy.  I flew commercially in my blues, took the metro, and attended a whole bunch of military ceremonies, all in my blues.

As an adult member, would I do all that now?  Only if it was relevant to CAP.   If you want to do it, do it!

[O-Rex]

I always hated traveling in uniform when I was in the Army: not for image or security, just the fact that I'm spending all day rumpling a uniform that I'd probably have to wear at my destination.

Nowadays, flying commercial is more of a PITA than ever: if you are going to be bumped, delayed and finally packed like sardines when you do get your flight, you may as well be comfortable.

Save the blues for your destination.

[PA Guy]

Yes, it is permitted but I wouldn't recommend it.

Why not?

Mostly because you will probably arrive looking like a rag bag and with all the metal pinned to the uniform it will slow you down at the security checkpoint.  Spill something on the uniform and you are stuck with it to your final destination. I personally don't like the attention it invites especially if the uniform isn't squared away and stain free. Just my personal opinion/preference

[IceNine]

 The one time I flew in blues was headed to an NCSA, when I got on-board the Flight attendant said that the Capt. had requested to see "the gentlemen in Blues".  I got to go up and talk with the flight crew a while they showed me around and I got bumped into first class.

At which point my cares of looking like dookey when I got off the plane kinda fleeted

This was however pre-911

[Stonewall]

I agree with O-Rex and PA Guy.  My experience above was as a cadet and wayyyy pre-9/11.  Not to mention, I wasn't as consious of my appearance as I am now.  I didn't know enough to care as a 14 year old that my uniform got wrinkled and shoes skuffed up by sitting around.

As a military member, Army and Air Force, I have yet to ever travel commercially in my uniform, EVER.

Given the option, I wouldn't.  Heck, I've got like 500K frequent flyer miles between 2001 and 2006 and I wouldn't even wear a suit unless I came directly from a mission where I couldn't change.  But then I'd have a change of comfy clothes in my carry-on so when we got airborne I'd change.  I learned my lesson on a long 10+ flight from Brazil to DC when all I had was my suit.  Dern that was uncomfortable.  Even in First Class  

[Stonewall]

The one time I flew in blues was headed to an NCSA, when I got on-board the Flight attendant said that the Capt. had requested to see "the gentlemen in Blues".  I got to go up and talk with the flight crew a while they showed me around and I got bumped into first class.

Dude!  Same thing happened with me in my above story as a cadet.  I got on the plane and the hottie flight attendant came to me and escorted me to the cockpit.  Pilot had been a cadet in CAP and former military pilot.  Totally hooked me up and let me sit in that back seat for a while while in flight.  Yep, way pre-9/11.  I wish times were still like that.  I think a lot of our cadets miss out because of that POS Osama and all the folks wishing to me Allah.

[Cecil DP]

before wearing the uniform ask yourself a few questions.

1. Am I traveling in an official capacity? If not no reason to wear it.

2. How long am I going to wear this uniform? Between traveling to the airport, going through TSA and actual flight time, and than the ride to the destination you could be wearing the uniform for 8 or more hours.

3. Am I going to wear the uniform at the activity? If so is there a laundry/dry cleaner with 24 hour turn around service. If not do I have time/opportunity to wash, iron, press the uniform?

4. Do I have a spare uniform? Most Special activities (Cadet and Senior) last a week. Can you spare 1 uniform if not able to get to a cleaner or laundry?

[RiverAux]

I can't imagine spending all day sprinting through airports trying to make my next flight, scrunching into airplane seats, etc. wearing my blues.  I know a lot of businessmen basically do that all the time, but they more or less have to.  Heck, I don't even like to wear my work uniform (think golf shirt) when I'm flying since it might get me sucked into unwanted conversations. 

[Al Sayre]

I've had to do it a few times when I was in the Navy.  I had to make connecting flights between the DOD contract carrier (which required me to be in uniform) and the civilian airlines and didn't have time to change between flights.  It wasn't too bad, I was generally treated pretty well, and the bars wouldn't take my money... of course the Navy "Crackerjacks" are not all that uncomfortable, and didn't wrinkle too badly.

[masamuel2]

I have a question. When traveling to a NCSA; is it permitted for a cadet to travel via commercial airlines in their Air Force Blues Uniform?

I have been working NCSAs for a few years and I always tell the cadets to wear civilian clothes on travel days.  There is usually no need for them to be in uniform when they arrive.  As mentioned before, the metal creates a problem getting through security and the uniform doesn't look very sharp by the time they arrive.  The Activity Director should tell the cadets what to wear for the travel days, and most likely they will tell them not to wear their uniform.

[DNall]

When I fly for the Army, it's always in ACUs. Which is a bit wierd, but we wear those things for everything now. That's comfortable & less to worry about getting dirty or ending up sloppy. Good for the express lane at security & universal upgrade to first class. Plus...

I was generally treated pretty well, and the bars wouldn't take my money...

Sometimes I'll change shirts on the other end if I feel like I need to look especially squared away, but I don't think it makes a lot of difference with those things, they just look so sloppy to me versus what we could do with BDUs. I probably would not fly in class Bs if given the choice.

For CAP, I wouldn't fly in blues. Not that you couldn't but it's inconvenient. Especially in CAP when you probably only have the one set of blues, rather than a set to change into when you get there & another set for later in the weelk.

Now driving to/from activities, I always do that in uniform. Goes a long way if you get pulled over. Plus, here in town the toll road is free if in uniform travelling on official business. That covers lunch for the price of one round trip even to the nearest other Sqs.

[RiverAux]

Now driving to/from activities, I always do that in uniform. Goes a long way if you get pulled over.

Got pulled over for speeding in blues after a wing conference one year.  Didn't help a bit.  (Speed trap in tiny little burg -- but legit -- I wasn't paying close enough attention).

[Slim]

Appearance and comfort not withstanding, the one issue I haven't seen mentioned is PERSEC (personal security).  Honestly, when I travel by air, I do as much as I can not to draw too much attention to myself.

Being in uniform makes you a target for a lot more than just free drinks and a chat with the flight crew while boarding.  Even during these times where support for our troops is at a high, there are still a few idiots here and there who would look at a uniform and call you a baby-killer, or some other way of reliving their parents protests from the 60s-70s.  Do you think such and idiot is going to care that you don't kill babies, you search for them?  Or worse, something happens during your flight and everyone turns to you because you're wearing our nation's uniform.  Or, really really bad things happen, and some terrorist decides that anyone in a uniform has to go first.

Here's something else to consider.  A few years back, I was traveling from Detroit to Tucson, with a two hour layover in Dallas.  While eating in one of the food courts, a plane pulls up and unloads.  Three people in ACUs get off the plane, and everyone within sight gives them a standing ovation, which left them all looking a little uncomfortable.  They came over, got something to eat, and sat down at the next table, so I engaged in a little conversation with them.  I asked if they were just getting back from the 'box, and one of them (an SSG, IIRC) says "No, but we're going soon."  He then went on to comment that-while they appreciate the support and sentiment-they were really starting to get uncomfortable with it.  My point is that this could just as easily be a CAP member, and an unsuspecting public; don't steal their thunder.

[lordmonar]

Listen.....how many domestic flights have been hi jacked and U.S. military personnel singled out for additional abuse?

I have heard that argument for the last 22 years and it is a total crock.   The bad guys are either targeting you specifically....in which case it does not matter what you wear, they will get you...or it is totally random and again it does not matter.

Second....it is not stealing thunder when you don't seek it. 

If you want to travel in blues to a CAP event....do it!

[COL Land]

A slightly different spin on this from the ACA's perspective...

Our insurance carrier only covers ACA personnel while wearing a designated "uniform."   Now, before folks go crazy, that uniform need not always be a military uniform.   For example:

   a.  Military Cadets of Podunk is traveling to the Fort Stewart museum.   The Company Commander can designate the Uniform of the Day as PT gear for travel.   Remember, we have consistent PT gear corps-wide, so that means everyone looks alike.

   b.  Army Cadets of the Backwoods is traveling at unit-strength to Annual Training.   Everyone can travel in Civilian Alternative (ACA Polo Shirt and khaki slacks), rather than Class "B."

   c.  C/PFC Smith is traveling someplace on orders independently by commercial air.   At this point, he is required to wear (a) Civilian Alternative, (b) Class "B" or (c) Civilian clothes, but is not covered by insurance.   

The Army's approach is all of this is a bit foreign to this ol' traditional (former) Sailor, in that Soldiers indeed do wear ACUs for just about anything and everything, including travel.   We do not currently permit our Cadets to travel as such, and are rethinking the above policies.   Regardless of what we might decide programmatically, the insurance carrier is the grand authority on this issue (for us, at least).

Respectfully,

[DeputyDog]

Now driving to/from activities, I always do that in uniform. Goes a long way if you get pulled over.

Got pulled over for speeding in blues after a wing conference one year.  Didn't help a bit.  (Speed trap in tiny little burg -- but legit -- I wasn't paying close enough attention).

Same thing happened to me. Got nailed in a speed trap going 15 over (it was a 50 down to a 35 zone after dropping from 60 less than 100 yards before). The officer asked me if I was in the military after he gave me the citation.