New USAF Service Coat Ready for Testing

[LtCol White]

See the attached article on the new USAF Heritage Coat being ready for wear testing.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123061371

[pixelwonk]

hated it!

[DKruse]

I had to look closely but there is a belt a la USMC's Service A uniform.  In fact, the whole thing looks like the Service A jacket.

[Major Carrales]

I had to look closely but there is a belt a la USMC's Service A uniform.  In fact, the whole thing looks like the Service A jacket.

Careful, them's fighting works around here! 

All kidding aside, I like this uniform.  It has just enough tradition in it to be attractive. 

[capchiro]

Was I asleep when the voting for the usage of the term "warrior ethos" came about?  When did that start and why?  Does the term warrior ethos mean the same to Marines as to Air Force or Coasties?? What does warrior ethos have to do with a service jacket??  Does CAP have, or deserve warrior ethos??  Can I get a ribbon for prior warrior ethos service??  Does an ES gung ho officer have more warrior ethos than a safety officer?  Do the air crew members have the most warrior ethos of all?? Inquiring minds want to know..

[Major Carrales]

Was I asleep when the voting for the usage of the term "warrior ethos" came about?  When did that start and why?  Does the term warrior ethos mean the same to Marines as to Air Force or Coasties?? What does warrior ethos have to do with a service jacket??  Does CAP have, or deserve warrior ethos??  Can I get a ribbon for prior warrior ethos service??  Does an ES gung ho officer have more warrior ethos than a safety officer?  Do the air crew members have the most warrior ethos of all?? Inquiring minds want to know..

I think they mean to say that this is a "shift away" from the "corporate model" that was pushed by folks of the McPeak era.  The idea was for the USAF uniform to look like a "plain business suit."  This has been cited as the source for the "limited ribbons," slit pocket and sleeve rank of the original McPeak Uniform.

The new service coat is designed to look like a "military uniform."  True, going back to the 1920s/30s/40s for inspiration is a bit of an over kill, but many people find the look of that period to be traditional.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Ha Ha...

You said "Limited ribbons."

That's funny.  Ha Ha!

[Major Carrales]

Did you get this part...

The test locations are Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and its Gunter Annex; Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases in Texas, and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, the Air Force Honor Guard will put the coat through its paces.

OK, Conspiracy Theorists...have at it!!!

[JohnKachenmeister]

OK, I've got a few questions about this new foray into military fashion.  These are serious questions.

1.  There WERE two different uniforms designed, one with an open collar and one with a choker collar.  Does the appearance of the single female model in the open lapel uniform mean that the choker collar went (deservedly) to the ash can of history?

2.  On the open-lapel version, there WAS a wing-and-prop insignia on the lower part of the lapel.  I don't see it on the female sergeant's uniform, but enlisted uniforms never had the branch device on the lower lapel.  Will officers have the wing-and-prop design?

3.  If you are not an Air Force aircrewman, will you still get the wing-and-prop, or some other specialty design?

4.  How bad will CAP screw up this uniform?

5.  IF this uniform is adopted, and full-size medals are authorized on appropriate occasions, will CAP make Vanguard create full-size CAP medals for us?  If not, will miniature medals also be authorized on this new uniform?

6.  Will I live long enough to care about any of this?

I will admit that my experience and exposure to this new uniform is limited, but from what I have seen so far I may have to get the TPU.  The belted uniform will look like crapola on us guys who are borderline (and sometimes cheating) on the weight standard.  Worse, even, than the double-breasted.  I do wish that the TPU would lose that silver sleeve braid, though.

[aveighter]

 Does an ES gung ho officer have more warrior ethos than a safety officer?  Do the air crew members have the most warrior ethos of all?? Inquiring minds want to know..

In answer to the good Colonels question, it is a well known fact that aviators have the largest stones. 

[JC004]

Did you get this part...

The test locations are Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and its Gunter Annex; Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases in Texas, and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, the Air Force Honor Guard will put the coat through its paces.

OK, Conspiracy Theorists...have at it!!!

Is design being headed out of Florida?

[RogueLeader]

Did you get this part...

The test locations are Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and its Gunter Annex; Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases in Texas, and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, the Air Force Honor Guard will put the coat through its paces.

OK, Conspiracy Theorists...have at it!!!

Is design being headed out of Florida?

I don't know, but I did hear that it was being transported in a black van- traveling at a high rate of speed.

[Major Carrales]

 Does an ES gung ho officer have more warrior ethos than a safety officer?  Do the air crew members have the most warrior ethos of all?? Inquiring minds want to know..

In answer to the good Colonels question, it is a well known fact that aviators have the largest stones. 

Hey, long time no read.  How've you been?

[ZigZag911]

Maybe the resolution on my monitor isn't sensitive enough, but the 'heritage' jacket did not look all that different from the present one.

[JC004]

Maybe the resolution on my monitor isn't sensitive enough, but the 'heritage' jacket did not look all that different from the present one.

You smoking crack again?  Click on the full image.

[SDF_Specialist]

Is it still 2007? The impression I get from that coat is...... I wanna say 1942? Hmm. Is that coat going to be something that CAP will consider? I don't want to give Vanguard another $180 for a service coat that will show up about two months from the time I order it.

[jimmydeanno]

Of original two uniforms that were presented, I actually prefered the Mitchell heritage one (that's the chocker collar).  However, I do not believe that most CAP members have the physique to compliment that cut.  The Hap Arnold Heritage uniform show in that link it altered from the intial one, with it's smaller lapels, which make it more complimentary for females and the typical AF personnel.

I have always prefered the previous service coat as it is more fitted and structured.  Two things I think are important in military style uniforms.  You put on a uniform with those characteristics and instantly you walk a few inches taller.

The only thing that I do not like about this uniform is the belt.  I think that it is very uncomplimentary.  In all honesty it looks like they took the all weather coat belt and put it on this one.

Overall I like it.

[JC004]

...However, I do not believe that most CAP members have the physique to compliment that cut....

Cadet: grows upwards
Senior Member: grows outwards

[Sgt. Savage]

Just what we needed, another uniform change..........

[NEBoom]

Just what we needed, another uniform change..........

Everyone remain calm!    This isn't going to be phased in for AF wear for some time yet, as it's just to the wear test stage.  There may be some more changes made to it based on the wear test, which would delay it even further for the AF.  Phase-in for CAP wear is still many years away, and mandatory wear for CAP is even farther off.