In addition to a new camouflage pattern, the Air Force's new utility uniform will offer different features from the current Airman Battle Uniform.
The service announced last week it will adopt the Army Combat Uniform, known as the ACU, which sports the Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP. The Air Force plans to have all airmen wearing the new uniform by April 2021.
"The decision to move to this new uniform outfits our airmen in the best utility uniform available in the inventory," Maj. Kathleen Atanasoff said in a statement.
So far, the Air Force is calling the uniform the OCP.
"The [OCP] is proven for better form, fit and function and will be an important part in preserving our service and squadron identities," Atanasoff said
Here's a look at the different features of the new Air Force Uniform:
The OCP has two slanted front chest pockets compared to the ABU's four pockets on the blouse, which date back to the Battle Dress Uniform design. It has two shoulder pockets, with side zippered closures and Velcro for mounting unit patches.
The rank identification patch for both officers and enlisted personnel is located in the center of the chest instead of on the sleeves for enlisted and collars for officers on the ABU. Name and service tapes, rank and patches are all attached with Velcro.
Airmen will have the option to sew on their name tape and service tape, Air Force officials say.
Officers will wear their rank on their patrol caps. The OCP's patrol cap features a Velcro-mounted name tape on the back.
The Air Force uniform will differ from the Army's in Velcro patches, name tape and insignia by using a "spice brown" color, service officials said. The Air Force will redesign patches used for commands down to the squadron level so they incorporate the spice brown color.
The OCP's blouse has a front zippered closure instead of the ABU's buttons. Similar to the ABU, the OCP has a two pen slots on the blouse sleeve.
The OCP's trousers feature slanted cargo pockets as well as smaller pockets above each ankle.
For female airmen, the OCP is less boxy and includes multiple sizes for women.
Airmen will also be required to wear the same coyote brown boots as the Army, Air Force officials said.
Both the OCP and the ABU fabric weight and same 50/50 percent nylon-cotton blend, Atanasoff said. There is no permanent press treatment on the OCP like the ABU. In addition, the OCP has an "insect shield" permethrin treatment.
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
