PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On Oct. 1, 2018, Air Force Airmen began a new day in a new uniform, the Operational Camouflage Pattern – for those in possession of one. But what does this mean for Reserve Citizen Airmen at the 302nd Airlift Wing who don’t already have a set?
According to Senior Master Sgt. Carl Fink, the 302nd Logistics Readiness Squadron material management superintendent, the Air Force Reserve Command has a distribution schedule in place. Reserve units will be placed into groups called “waves” determining when OCPs will be available to order.
When the 302nd AW is assigned to a particular wave, enlisted reservists are to work through their unit clothing monitors to order the OCP uniform and boots. Officers are to purchase their own uniforms. However, before purchasing or ordering the new uniform, Fink recommends visiting a local military clothing store.
“Everyone needs to go try on the OCPs, they are sized way differently than the ABUs,” said Fink. “It is worth a trip to military clothing sales to get sized properly. If they don’t fit, you only have a month to get them exchanged.”
Additionally, patches, in spice brown color, will be available and purchased during the assigned wave. Name tapes and occupational badges are required to be embroidered using the spice brown color along with enlisted rank patches. Officer ranks are required to be spice brown by June 1, 2020, except for the rank of first lieutenant and lieutenant colonel will be black. The wear of the spice brown U.S. Flag is also mandatory by June 1, 2020. All patches are required to be spice brown by April 1, 2021.
Cold weather gear and female uniforms are scheduled to be available spring of 2019, according to Air Force guidance.
By April 1, 2021, all Airmen are required to wear OCP and follow the regulations stated in AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel.
Due to limited supplies and the wave system, current guidance indicates reservists with the 302nd AW will not be able to purchase their own OCPs through Peterson Air Force Base or Fort Carson Military Clothing Sales.