PROPER WEAR OF THE AIR FORCE-STYLE CAP UNIFORM

Introduction

This lesson will cover the proper wear of the Air Force-Style CAP
uniform and grooming standards for CAP personnel. It starts with
personal grooming standards while wearing military uniforms and includes
links to all minor areas such as hairnets. The rest of the lesson
consists of all the main USAF style military uniforms with links to some
minor areas.

The way we present ourselves says a lot about the standards we set in
accomplishing the CAP mission so it's important to set our standards
high and meet them. Air Force and CAP dress and grooming standards are a
mixture of tradition and practicality. The uniform draws attention to
the individual. The image you present will leave with everyone you meet
a lasting impression about you, the Civil Air Patrol, and the entire Air
Force. Any large business or organization that wants to be recognized as
professional sets certain standards of dress and grooming for its
personnel. The CAP is no different.

Members of CAP should be well-groomed and ensure that their personal
appearance at all times reflects credit upon themselves and the CAP. CAP
Manual 39-1 Attachment 2 defines maximum allowable weight standards for
CAP members to wear the Air Force style uniform. Senior members who do
not meet the standards of wear for the Air Force uniform for reasons of
grooming or fitness are not barred from membership or active
participation, but rather are restricted from wearing the military style
Air Force uniform. In such cases, members may wear certain CAP unique
clothing (reference CAPM 39-1).

# Personal Grooming Standards When Wearing Military Uniforms

[Hair Styles]{.underline}. Overall, hair should be clean, well groomed,
and neat. Avoid using an excessive amount of grooming aids. You may dye
your hair if you wish, but it must look natural. Hair must not touch the
eyebrows when groomed or protrude below the front band of properly worn
headgear. EXCEPTION: Hair may be visible in front of the women\'s flight
cap.

Men: Men\'s hairstyles must have a tapered appearance on both sides and
back, both with and without headgear. A tapered appearance outlines the
individual\'s hair to conform to the shape of the head, curving inward
to the termination point. The bulk, or thickness, of hair must not
exceed 1-1/4 inches, regardless of length. The bulk may not exceed 1/4
inch at the termination point. The hair must not touch the ears and only
the closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck may touch the
collar.

Women: Women\'s hairstyles must present a professional appearance. The
hair must not extend in length on all sides below an invisible line
drawn parallel to the ground at the bottom edge of the shirt collar at
the back of the neck. Hair must not exceed 3 inches in bulk or be styled
in a way that prevents proper wear of headgear.

Wigs and Hairpieces: In conformance with the same standards as natural
hair, of goo quality and fit.

Mustaches: When worn, mustaches must not extend downward beyond the lip
line of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn
upward from the corner of the mouth.

Sideburns: When worn, sideburns must be neatly trimmed and tapered in
the same manner as the haircut. They must be straight and of even width
(i.e., not flared). They must end in a clean-shaven horizontal line.
Sideburns must not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear
opening.

[Cosmetics/Nail Polish (Women only)]{.underline}: Conservative and in
good taste.

[Jewelry]{.underline}.

Watch: Will be conservative.

Rings: A maximum of three.

Bracelet: You can wear one bracelet if it is conservative, presents a
proper military image, is no wider than 1 inch, and doesn\'t subject the
wearer to potential injury.

Earrings: Women may wear small conservative diamond, gold, white pearl,
or silver spherical pierced or clip earrings with all uniforms unless
safety considerations dictate otherwise.

Eyeglasses and other ornaments: Ornaments on the head, visible ornaments
around the neck, and ornamentation on eyeglass lenses or frames are
prohibited while on duty or in uniform. Conservative eyeglass frames may
be worn as needed and when not prohibited by safety regulations.

[Undergarments]{.underline}. You must wear proper undergarments with all
uniforms. Long-sleeved undershirts will not be worn with the
short-sleeved uniform shirt or blouse.

Men: Men will wear undershorts and white undershirts (either V-neck,
U-neck, or athletic style) with all service uniforms.

Women: Women will wear bra and panties with all uniforms. They must wear
an undershirt with BDUs (same guidelines as above). Women may also wear
other appropriate garments as necessary.

**Battle Dress Uniform (BDU)**

This uniform is acceptable in all base offices and base establishments.
Men and women wear the same type BDU.

Headgear: All personnel must wear the camouflage pattern BDU or unit
authorized cap.

Shirt: Wear the shirt outside the trousers at all times. Sleeves may be
rolled up. (You may not shorten the sleeves by cutting them.) If rolled
up, sleeves will touch or come within 1 inch of the forearm when the arm
is bent at a 90-degree angle.

Trousers: Trousers must be bloused over the combat boots.

Combat boots: Combat boots are the only footwear authorized for wear
with the BDU.

Belt and buckle: Dark blue, cotton or elastic with black metal buckle
and tip.

### Accouterments

Center the "Civil Air Patrol" tape immediately above the left breast
pocket. Center the "Name" tape immediately above the right breast
pocket.

Center embroidered grade insignia on ultramarine blue background on the
right collar and CAP collar insignia on the left side. Senior member
NCOs and senior members without grade wear this device on both sides of
the collar.

**Service Dress Uniform**

**Male/Female Officer**

[Rank Insignia]{.underline}**:** Wear gray embroidered epaulets with
rank insignia.

["US" Insignia]{.underline}: Wear highly polished US. Align the bottom
of the insignia halfway up the seam of the collar, resting on but not
over, and horizontal to the ground.

[Ribbons and Badges for all uniforms]{.underline}**:** See CAPM 39-1.

[Tie/Tie Tab]{.underline} **-** polyester herringbone twill/matching tie
tab.

[Tie Tac or Clasp]{.underline} - CAP crest, AF coat of arms, or grade
insignia centered between knot and tip.

[Flight Cap]{.underline}: This hat is worn slightly to the wearer\'s
right with the vertical crease of the cap in line with the center of the
forehead, in a straight line with the nose. The bottom of the cap is
approximately 1 inch from the eyebrows in the front. Women may have hair
showing in front of the flight cap.

When not worn, the flight cap may be tucked under the belt on either
side, between the first and second belt loops.

[Service Trousers/Slacks]{.underline}. Wear these dark blue pants with
the bottom front resting on the front of the shoe/boot with a slight
break in the crease. The back of the trousers\' legs will be
approximately 7/8 inch longer than the front. These may be worn with any
of the service uniform combinations.

[Service Skirt (women only)]{.underline}. You may find this dark blue
skirt with or without belt loops. The hem of the skirt may be no shorter
than the top of the kneecap and no longer than the bottom of the
kneecap.

[Footwear]{.underline}. Your footwear should always be shined and in
good repair.

With the service trousers/slacks, you may wear the low quarters (also
known as oxfords), oxfords with low wedge heel, combat boots, or black
dress boots. When the low quarters are worn, men must wear plain black
socks. Women may wear plain black socks or hose (see below for
description of hose allowed). With the boots, you have the option of
wearing plain black or white socks.

Women may also choose to wear plain black pumps (high-heeled shoes) with
the service slacks. The pumps must have no design. The heel must be of a
height suitable to the individual, but no higher than 2-1/2 inches.
Platform shoes or extra thick soles aren\'t allowed. When the pumps are
worn, women must wear hose. Hose will be neutral, dark brown, black, off
black, or dark blue in a shade that complements the uniform and the
individual\'s skin tone. No patterned hose will be worn.

With the service skirt, women may wear the low quarters, dress boots, or
pumps. Regardless of the shoe chosen, women must wear hose with the
skirt. (See previous paragraph for restrictions on the pumps and hose.
**Note:** It\'s much more professional looking to wear the pumps rather
than the low quarters with the skirt). Women may also opt to wear dress
boots with the skirt, but these must be removed and oxfords or pumps
worn in the member\'s work place. Boots may not have extra thick or
platform soles. Heel height of the boot may not exceed 2-1/2 inches.

[Men's Long and Short Sleeved Blue Shirt]{.underline}. Wear these shirts
tucked into the service pants. Sleeves may not be rolled up.

Rank insignia: Wear gray embroidered epaulets with rank insignia.

Nametag (mandatory): Rests on but not over the top edge of the right
pocket, centered between the edges of the pocket.

Tie (mandatory w/long sleeve): Tip of the tie will be no more than 1-1/2
inches above or 1-1/2 inches below the top of the belt buckle.

Tie tac/bar: It may be of the CAP crest, AF coat of arms, or the
individual\'s grade insignia type. The tie tac/bar must be highly
polished. Center the tie tac/bar between the bottom edge of the knot and
the bottom tip of the tie.

[Women's Long and Short Sleeved Blue Shirt]{.underline}. These shirts
come in two versions, the tuck-in style and the semi-form fitting style.
The tie tab is optional with both styles.

Semi-Form Fitting shirt: This shirt can be worn tucked in or left out of
either the service slacks or skirts. Place accouterments as indicated
below.

Rank insignia (mandatory): Officers will wear gray embroidered epaulets
with rank insignia..

Nametag (mandatory): Center on the right side between the buttons and
the arm seam. Worn even with to 1-1/2 inches higher or lower than the
first exposed button and horizontal to the ground.

Tuck-In Style shirt: This shirt must be tucked into the service slacks
and skirts.

**CAP Flight Suit**

GENERAL. The CAP Flight Suit Uniform is a uniform worn to perform flying
related duties. Members may also wear the USAF-style flight suit. Wing
commanders prescribe the type clothing to be worn by members while
flying. See CAPM 39-1 for details on proper wear of flight clothing.

[Flight Jacket]{.underline} The green flight jacket is the only
outergarment authorized for wear with the AF-style flight suit.
Appropriate civilian outerwear is authorized with the CAP flight suit.

[Headgear]{.underline} Flight cap or baseball cap authorized.

[Grade Insignia]{.underline}. Regular size centered on top of each
shoulder ½ inch from shoulder seam.

[Name Tag]{.underline}. Name tags will be placed centered on left side
above pocket of uniform.

[Footwear]{.underline}. Authorized laced or belted black leather flight
boots may be worn.

## CONCLUSION

As a representative of the CAP and USAF, you must display the qualities
of a leader and apply the techniques of leadership. You\'ll set the
example, so make it a good one! The manner in which you follow dress and
grooming standards reflects pride in yourself, your profession, your
unit, and the Air Force. You should always strive to exceed the minimum
standards in all you do, especially in dress and grooming. Lead by
example!