Uniform Wear and Uniform Rules

Uniform Guide

UNIFORM: AFJROTC Cadets will wear the standard Air Force uniform in accordance with current Air Force and AFJROTC regulations and guidelines. The Air Force uniform symbolizes the rank, organization, and unity of the cadet corps, a commitment to self-discipline, and the Air Force core values of:

“Integrity first...service before self...excellence in all we do”.

The reputation of the United States Air Force, as a professional military organization, is known worldwide and has no equal. The uniform AFJROTC cadets, as well as active duty personnel, wear is a symbol of that reputation. It must be worn correctly and proudly.

STANDARDS: Each AFJROTC cadet must maintain high standards of dress and personal appearance. Cadets will present a neat and well-groomed appearance when wearing the uniform. Uniforms must be clean, neat and in good condition. Badges, insignia, belt buckles, and other metallic devices must be maintained in proper luster and finish. Each cadet will strive to maintain their good physical health. The fitting standards, wearing instructions, personal grooming standards, and proper haircut limitations are prescribed in Air Force regulations. Cadet standards of personal appearance are the same as those of personnel on active duty. Cadets will comply with the following Air Force personal appearance standards:

1. Hair must be neat, clean, trimmed, and present a conservative, well groomed appearance. Neatly trimmed block haircuts for the back of the head are authorized as long as a tapered appearance is kept. Hair will not touch the ears or the collar except the closely cut hair on the back of the neck. Hair in front must be groomed so that it does not fall below the eyebrows and will not protrude below the band of properly worn headgear. In no case will the bulk or length of hair interfere with the proper wear of any Air Force headgear. For females, hair must be styled to permit proper wear of any military headgear and will not be worn in any style longer than the bottom of the collar edge at the back of the neck when in uniform. Exaggerated styles with excessive fullness or extreme heights are prohibited. Excessive grooming aids or “faddish” hairstyles are not authorized. Questions regarding what constitutes “excessive” or “faddish” should be addressed to the cadet chain of command and/or the instructors.

2. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed in the same manner as the hair, must not extend beyond the bottom of the ear opening, must be straight and even in width, and end with a clean shaven, horizontal line.

3. The face must be clean-shaven except that a mustache is permitted for males. Mustaches must be neatly trimmed, must not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip and may not extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corner of the mouth. When a physician prescribes that a patient not shave, the beard must be kept trimmed symmetrically and all beard hairs must be kept trimmed so that they do not protrude more than ¼ inch from the skin surface.

4. Wigs and hairpieces will not be worn except for cosmetic reasons to cover natural baldness or physical disfigurement. When worn, they will conform to 1 and 2 above.

UNIFORM OF THE DAY: The most commonly worn uniform will consist of the short sleeve shirt and blue pants. All insignia, nametag, and ribbons will be properly placed on the shirt. Shirts will be worn tucked in. Males may wear a tie with the short sleeve shirt but it is not required unless instructed to do so. The necktie or tie tab is MANDATORY with the long sleeve shirts. Military creases in shirts are not authorized. (ONLY THE SHIRT SLEEVE WILL HAVE A CREASE.)

DRESS UNIFORM: The service dress uniform will consist of the service coat, long or short sleeve shirt, necktie/tie tab, and pants. Shirts must be tucked in. All authorized insignia, nametags, and ribbons will be worn on the service coat.

JACKET: The jacket will be worn zipped at least halfway. Officer rank is worn on the epaulets. Airman rank is worn on the collar. Be aware that this jacket is the second most frequently lost uniform item, second only to the flight cap. Remember, cadets will be required to reimburse the Air Force for any lost or damaged uniform items.

BELT: The belt is threaded through all the loops around the body. When buckled, only the metal tab on the tip of the belt will show.

SHOES: Shoes must be properly laced, tied and shined at all times. No ornamentation such as bows, buckles, or straps, is permitted. Heels must be at least one inch, but no more than two and one half inches high. “Corfam” shoes are permitted for cadet officers only and purchased at their own expense; seniors only.

SOCKS AND HOSIERY: Cadets will wear black or dark blue socks with the uniform. Females may wear nylon sheer hose that is dark blue or natural skin color that compliments the uniform and skin tone. Patterned hose will not be worn.

HEADGEAR: The flight cap is worn slightly to the right with vertical crease of the cap at the center of the forehead in a straight line with the nose and front edge at a point approximately one inch above the eyebrows.

Hats (headgear) will not be worn indoors unless required for a performance/ceremony (Drill Team). Headgear is always worn while outdoors, except in "no hat" or "optional hat" areas as designated by the SASI. When the flight cap is not being worn, it should be tucked under the left side of the belt with the insignia facing out.

The wearing of headgear while riding in or operating a vehicle is optional. However, headgear will be worn while exiting the vehicle. Headgear is the most frequently lost uniform item. Be sure to put your name on a piece of tape placed inside the headgear.

The “swimming pool” parking lot has been designated as a “No Hat” area at Cy Falls HS.

SERVICE CAPS: Only authorized to be worn by cadet officers when approved by the SASI and purchased at own expense.

SHOULDER PATCHES: The AFJROTC shoulder patch is to be properly sewn (not glued) on the left shoulder of all uniform items and the unit patch will be worn on the right shoulder. Patches should be centered on the sleeve, between one-half to one inch down from the shoulder.

UNIT ACTIVITY FEE: Each cadet is required to pay a non-refundable activity fee at the start of each school year. This fee is to offset the cost of a mass cleaning of all unit uniforms at the end of the school year and the cost of the unit “spirit shirt” issued to each cadet. The fee amount will be announced before uniforms are issued at the beginning of the year. The fee also helps offset the cost of the unit's activities.

CLEANING AND CARE OF UNIFORMS: During the school year the care and cleaning of uniform items is the responsibility of the cadet. All uniform items must be dry-cleaned. Any other method of cleaning will cause damage to the uniform item. Cadets will be responsible for the replacement cost. Be sure the complete uniform is clean, pressed, sharp, and worn properly with pride.

ALTERATIONS: Alterations of any type to any uniform item is not authorized without the approval of the ASI. Pants that are too long will be hemmed, but no material will be cut from the bottom. If a cadet has someone else hem their pants or skirts, the cadet is responsible for informing that person not to cut material from the bottom or make any permanent alteration to any uniform item.

MISCELLANEOUS UNIFORM WEAR AND APPEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Only the AFJROTC insignia, badges, ribbons and accessories issued by or authorized by the SASI/ASI will be worn on the Air Force uniform.

1. The uniform must not be worn if hitchhiking.

2. Do not mix civilian clothing items with items of the uniform. Extreme cold weather items are acceptable, but only while outdoors, in transit.

3. Bulky items should not be placed in the pockets; no item will protrude from the pockets. Hands are kept out of the pockets.

4. All loose threads will be closely trimmed.

5. Pencils are not to be carried behind ears, in hair, or any place visible on the uniform.

6. Conservative sunglasses, free of ornamentation, may be worn. They will not be worn around the neck or in the hair. “Faddish” styles are prohibited. Address questions regarding “faddish” styles to the cadet chain of command and/or the instructors beforehand.

7. Necklaces must be concealed under the collar or undershirt. Wrist watches with conservative wristbands, one bracelet, and a maximum of three rings, and, for females, one pair of small spherical, gold, silver, or pearl earrings worn on the ear lobes, are the only jewelry authorized for wear with the uniform. “Thumb rings” do not present a professional appearance and will not be worn while in uniform. Males are not permitted to wear earrings in uniform.

8. Males must wear a plain (no lettering or graphics allowed), white, “V/U” neck type T-shirt. T-shirts are optional for females, but if worn, must be as described above.

9. When worn, the service coat must be buttoned completely.

10. When in uniform, females may only wear conservative pins, combs, and barrettes similar to the individual’s hair color to keep hair in place. Hair ornaments such as ribbons or jeweled pins may not be worn. Cosmetics must be conservative and in good taste. Fingernails must be kept neat and clean, and nail polish, if worn, must be in good taste and of a conservative color.

11. “Body Piercing” outside of CFISD acceptable standards do not present the proper image for TX-20003 and will not be permitted. No visible piercings are allowed while in uniform.

12. The gig line is a straight line aligning the shirt line, belt buckle, and fly line of the pants.

PROHIBITIONS: Cadets are not permitted to wear the uniform except on the specified uniform days or make up days, and then only during school hours, for AFJROTC activities, and enroute to and from school. Cadets desiring to wear the uniform on other occasions must have the permission of the SASI/ASI. Unauthorized wear of the uniform or distinctive items of the uniform is prohibited and punishable under federal law. AFJROTC insignia will only be worn on the Air Force uniform. Air Force uniform items may only be worn by authorized personnel.

PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION (PDA): Any public display of affection, such as hand holding, embracing, or walking arm-in-arm, is inappropriate and prohibited for cadets in uniform. When not in uniform, CFISD Student Handbook restrictions apply. PDA discredits AFJROTC, since indiscriminate display of affection shows lack of maturity, discipline and restraint in public and PDA detracts from the professional image of the Air Force. It can also be harmful to the good order and discipline, and morale, of the Cadet Corps. “Personal relationships” between cadets are not prohibited, but these relationships may impact rank, position, and flight assignment of cadets involved. This is done to avoid potential conflicts of interest or negative perceptions.

CIVILIAN ATTIRE: When in civilian clothes and on campus, males and females must be in compliance with CFISD dress and appearance standards to include pants worn around the natural waistline, no flip flops, no wallet chains, etc.

SPIRIT SHIRTS: The ASI or SASI may declare a day as “Spirit Shirt” day. When cadets wear their spirit shirts, they must wear appropriate slacks (Khakis preferred); no sweat/warm-up pants, etc. If the pants have belt loops, a belt is required. Female cadets may wear CFISD dress code-compliant skirts. With prior approval of the SASI, it may be permissible to wear other Cypress Falls HS spirit shirts.