Leather jacket for Corporate uniforms

[arajca]

Later in the meeting, Col Karton reported on his call to Col Webb with regard to the
leather jacket and suggested that CAPM 39-1 be amended because the sub-committee
has already approved a black leather jacket. He stated that the committee's
recommendation was based on some faulty premises—(1) that it was mandatory (it is
not and never was intended to be); (2) that it was the Air Force A-2 (it is not). He further
stated that this is a civilian leather jacket (Coopers); it is different from the Air Force
jacket—it is black; it would only be authorized with distinctive CAP uniforms as an
option—not mandatory, and if worn with a CAP uniform just as the blue flight jacket is
allowed now, CAP could have a name plate and a patch on the breast pocket and the
region commander could authorize a region patch as opposed to the national MAJCOM.
There was further discussion on the description and intended wear of black leather
jackets, and concerns were expressed about misinterpretation in the field.

Interesting turn of events...
If this gets approved, how long until members disregard the Corporate status of the jacket and start wearing it with the AF uniforms?

[MIKE]

On average... How many members do you think already ignore the uniform outerwear requirements for the Air Force style uniforms?  I'd say a lot.

[BlueLakes1]

Out of curiosity, what is the problem with wearing a leather jacket in the first place? Not the obvious "39-1 says so", but what's the rationale for not allowing them?

[MIKE]

Out of curiosity, what is the problem with wearing a leather jacket in the first place? Not the obvious "39-1 says so", but what's the rationale for not allowing them?

Because the USAF says so... CAP had asked that the A-2 be authorized recently, and the USAF did not concur.

[Major_Chuck]

Wearing non-authorized items with the our AF uniform version is a MAJOR problem.  It is the type of problem that causes heartburn with the AF and should cause heartburn with our membership.

It is a privledge, not a right that the AF allows us to wear a uniform very similiar to theirs.  A privledge they can take away in a heartbeat.

CAPM 39-1 does not specify what kind of jackets can or must be worn with the Aviator uniform, however it does spell out what can/can not be worn with the AF style uniforms.

[abysmal]

Out of curiosity, what is the problem with wearing a leather jacket in the first place? Not the obvious "39-1 says so", but what's the rationale for not allowing them?

The story I got at SLS is that the AF feels very "attached" to their pilots leather jacket and has no desire to share that unique peice of clothing with CAP. At the moment, only real AF Pilots get the privilage of wearing the leather jacket.

[Buzz]

Out of curiosity, what is the problem with wearing a leather jacket in the first place? Not the obvious "39-1 says so", but what's the rationale for not allowing them?

The story I got at SLS is that the AF feels very "attached" to their pilots leather jacket and has no desire to share that unique peice of clothing with CAP. At the moment, only real AF Pilots get the privilage of wearing the leather jacket.

Close but no kewpie.  AF aircrews can wear the Yeager jacket, not just pilots.

[abysmal]

No Kewpie Doll!!