DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del– For decades, the Battle Dress Uniform was the utility uniform worn by most Airmen and Soldiers. On Tuesday, the Airman Battle Uniform became the official uniform of the day for the Air Force. The BDU, the Desert Camouflage Uniform and the tan boots are no longer authorized.
While this represents a major change in the face of the Air Force, the BDUs are not likely to be forgotten.
"I entered the Air Force in 1986. At that time, we were issued the olive drab green two-piece uniforms," said John Murphy, historian for the 436th Airlift Wing. A short time later, it was announced that a new Battle Dress Uniform would replace the olive drab. I embraced this change wholeheartedly."
According to Murphy, the olive drab uniform would wear out quickly after being washed and ironed multiple times. The new BDUs were able to take more of a beating before wearing out. While the BDUs may seem like a fairly simple piece of clothing now, at the time they were viewed by some to be quite advanced.
"In comparison to the olive drab in-garrison Air Force uniforms of the day, BDUs were made of high-tech materials woven into a modern camouflage designed for the woodland battlefield," said Chief Master Sgt. James Lucas, command chief master sergeant of the 436th Airlift Wing. "Needless to say, most Airmen were excited about the new uniform that would eventually replace the beloved 1970's era green fatigues.
The prospect of a low-maintenance uniform suited for both the wartime and peacetime environment was very appealing and most Airmen procured a few sets well before the implementation date."
While the uniform is no longer authorized to wear, military members are encouraged to keep operational security and respect in mind when disposing of old uniforms.
"We must sanitize our old uniforms before we donate them or throw them away," said Master Sgt. Angela Stout, superintendent of the 436th Comptroller Squadron. "They still represent our heritage and we don't want anyone to discredit our image by sporting around in our distinguished name tapes, rank and patches. I also recommend folks consider donating their complete uniform with patches to museums or Air Force heritage halls to share our heritage with generations to come."
For hundreds of thousands of military members, the BDUs were the face of military service.
With its ability to provide camouflage across all environments, trouble-free maintenance, and pockets that can be accessed in body armor, the ABU continues to further the evolution of the military utility uniform, standing up as part of a proud chapter of Air Force history.
