Air Force scheduled to switch to OCP uniform Published May 15, 2018 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Ingold 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – Air Force leaders announced the service will move to a single combat utility uniform, adopting the Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, already in use by Soldiers and Airmen in combat zones and certain jobs. Starting Oct. 1, Airmen who have serviceable OCPs may wear the uniform, which can be purchased at the Base Exchange at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The service is scheduled to fully transition to OCPs by April 1, 2021. The decision to transition to the OCP follows feedback from Airmen that it is the best, battle-tested utility uniform available. It will also eliminate the need to maintain two separate uniforms, one for in-garrison and one for deployments. Air Force officials said it is a visible reminder of the service’s identity as a warfighting force. “We looked at all utility uniforms currently in our inventory to find the best-of-breed,” said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein. “We spoke to and listened to Airmen on this, and the OCP was the clear choice.” More than 100,000 Airmen have been issued or are already wearing OCPs or equivalent two-piece flight suits, from Airmen at U.S. Air Forces Central to Shaw Weasels downrange. The OCP uniform will have distinctive Air Force features. The name tape and Air Force lettering will be spice-brown, and T-shirts and belts will be tan. Most rank insignia will also be spice-brown thread. Unit patches and special functional identifiers, such as Security Forces, Fire and Explosive Ordnance Disposal will be attached to Velcro fabric on the sleeves. All patches will be in subdued colors; headquarters patches and the U.S. flag will be worn on the right shoulder, and unit patches and authorized duty identifiers will be worn on the left shoulder. Goldfein said unit patches express squadron identity and heritage, something our Airmen are incredibly proud of and want to celebrate. Airmen can find guidance for proper wear of the uniform in the coming months via an Air Force Guidance Memorandum, followed by updates published in AFI 36-2903. Feedback from the force indicated Airmen find the OCP more functional, from the slanted, Velcro chest pockets to the easily-accessible shoulder pockets. Female Airmen have made it clear this uniform is a better fit as well. “The Army has done considerable work to make the OCPs a better fitting uniform for female service members,” said Maj. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, director of military force management policy, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. “The uniform comes in 20 female sizes and 37 unisex sizes. Female Airmen, currently issued the unisex uniform in U.S. Air Forces Central Command, report a better fit and higher morale as a result.” Enlisted Airmen should start to see an increase to their annual clothing allowances starting Oct. 1. “Many of our Airmen already have this uniform from their numerous deployments, so they will be able to make the transition easily,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright. “For other Airmen, we must provide enough time for their clothing allowance to fund the items to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.” Effective April 1, 2019, Airmen can purchase the uniform at any AAFES store that carries them and AAFES online services will open purchases to Airmen around October 2019. The schedule of availability will be updated monthly on the AAFES and Air Force’s Personnel Center websites. The delay in availability allows the supply chain to produce and field enough uniforms, boots and other associated uniform items to meet Team Shaw’s requirements. “This celebrates joint warfighting excellence as OCPs will become the joint combat uniform for Airmen and Soldiers while patches and nametapes will identify our respective services,” Goldfein said. “We’ll maintain our distinctive Air Force uniforms in blues, service dress, mess dress, and PT gear.”