Airmen who aren’t keeping up with the uniform changes that went into effect Oct. 1 may find themselves out of regulation. Airmen may no longer wear the black fleece as an all-purpose environmental camouflage parka liner. Further, the 2EXX, 3AXX, and 3CXX legacy badges are no longer worn and the green fleece outer garment must have a name, service designator, and rank affixed to it. The 100-percent wool pullover sweater also is now prohibited. It will be replaced with a looser fitting, smooth fabric pullover sweater. Air Force Personnel Center officials have also announced that the phase-out date is Dec. 31 for the gray and dark blue scarves, mittens, and earmuffs. Also, wearing the Battle Dress Uniform and the Desert Combat Uniform is authorized until Nov. 1, 2011. After that, the Airman Battle Uniform and ABU items will be mandatory. (Wright-Patterson report by Brad Jessmer)
Some lawmakers in the Senate are advocating for a more bipartisan approach to paying for the Pentagon’s $185 billion Golden Dome missile defense project, arguing that the effort’s goal of bolstering homeland defenses has support across ideological lines but the process for funding it has been politically charged—leaving the program’s…