Civil Air Patrol Uniform Manual
CAP Manual 39-1, 1 July 1997
Overview
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Wearing of the Uniform
Uniform Wear Policy
Command Responsibility
Dress and Appearance
Personal Grooming Standards
Uniform Combinations
Wearing of the Uniform
• Others, both military and civilian, draw
conclusions about you, CAP and the USAF
when they see you in uniform
• More important now since there is less
distinction between USAF and CAP military
uniforms
• Standards are influenced to some extent by
tradition and reflect the image of the USAF
• YOU are a reflection of the U.S Air Force!
Uniform Wear Policy
• Cadets/Senior Members conducting training
will wear the CAP uniform
• Cadets required to purchase the minimum
basic uniform
• Senior members and Cadets 18 and older must
meet CAP weight standards to wear USAF
uniform
• Senior members not meeting weight/grooming
standards DO NOT wear USAF style uniform,
wear selected CAP uniforms
Command Responsibility
• Commanders will ensure CAP members present
well-groomed appearance which reflects credit
upon CAP as the USAF Auxiliary.
• Commanders will correct uniform violations
promptly and inform all members of the proper
wear of the uniform.
• Seniors/Cadets have authority to correct
violations.
– Junior personnel use TACT/DIPLOMACY
Dress and Appearance
• Uniforms must be clean, neat, correct in design
and specifications, properly fitted, and in good
condition.
• Uniform will be zipped, snapped or buttoned.
• Shoes will be shined and in good repair.
• Metallic insignias, badges and other devices
must be in good condition and MATCH. (cont)
Dress and Appearance
• Articles will not be worn exposed on the
uniform (Exception: Parts of pens/pencils
can be exposed when carried in left pocket
of the BDU uniform)
• Wristwatches/rings (not more than three) are
permitted; bracelet is permitted provided it
presents neat and conservative appearance
• Ribbons will not be frayed or soiled
(cont)
(cont)
Dress and Appearance
(cont)
• Conservative sunglasses without ornamentation
permitted, except in formation
• Skirt lengths will be no higher than above the
top of the kneecap or lower than the bottom of
the kneecap
• Small round, conservative, gold/white pearl or
silver earrings may be worn
• Conservative round diamond earring may be
worn with the mess dress
(cont)
Dress and Appearance
(cont)
• Nail polish will be conservative
• Healing posts authorized--one earring or post
per ear located on bottom of earlobe
• Visible ornaments around the neck or on the
head and ankle bracelets are prohibited
• Uniform Standards: Neatness, Cleanliness,
Safety and Military Image!!!
Personal Grooming Standards Male and Female
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CAPM 39-1, Page 5, Table 1
Hair
Wigs/Hairpieces
Beards
Mustaches
Sideburn
Cosmetics
Table 1.
Personal Grooming Standards (See NOTES)
LINE Item of Grooming
Will Be/Have
Will Not
(M-Men, W-Women)
1
Beards (M)
Worn only with the CAP jumpsuit, Be worn with the AF-style uniform.
blazer combination, aviator shirt,
golf shirt or CAP flightsuit.
2
Cosmetics (W)
Conservative and in good taste.
3
Hair, Overall
Standard
(M & W)
Clean, well-groomed and neat. If Contained excessive amounts of
dyed, will look natural.
grooming aids. Hair will not touch
eyebrows when groomed or
protrude below the front band of
properly worn headgear. Exception:
Hair may be visible in front of
women’s flight cap.
4
Hair Style (M)
A tapered appearance on both
sides and back, both with and
without headgear. A tapered
appearance is one that when
viewed from any angle outlines
the individual’s hair so that it
conforms to the shape of the
head, curving inward to the
natural termination point. Block
cut permitted with tapered
appearance.
Be worn in an extreme or fad style
or in such a way that exceeds length
or bulk standards or violates safety
requirements. Will not touch the
ears and only closely cut or shaved
hair on the back of the neck may
touch the collar. Will not exceed 1
1/4 inches in bulk regardless of
length and not exceed ¼ inch at the
natural termination point. Will not
contain or have any visible foreign
items attached to it.
CAPM 39-1, Table 1, pg. 5
Table 1.
Personal Grooming Standards (See NOTES)
LINE
5
Item of Grooming
Will Be/Have
(M-Men, W-Women)
Hair Styles (W)
Styled to present a professional
appearance. Plain and
conservative pins, combs,
headbands, elastic bands, and
barrettes similar to the
individual’s hair color permitted to
keep hair in place.
(cont)
Will Not
Be worn in an extreme or fad style
or violate safety requirements. Will
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. Will not exceed 3 inches in
bulk or prevent proper wear of
headgear. Will not include hair
ornaments such as ribbons or
jeweled pins.
6
Mustache (M)
Extend downward beyond the lipline
of the upper lip or extend sideways
beyond a vertical line drawn upward
from the corner of the mouth.
7
Sideburns (M)
Neatly trimmed and tapered in
Extend below the lowest part of the
the same manner as the haircut. exterior ear opening.
Will be straight and of even width
(not flared) and end in a cleanshaven horizontal line.
CAPM 39-1, Table 1, pg. 5
Table 1.
Personal Grooming Standards (See NOTES)
LINE
(cont)
8
Item of Grooming
Will Be/Have
(M-Men, W-Women)
Wigs and Hairpieces In conformance with the mane
(M & W)
standards required for natural
hair, be of good quality, and fit
properly.
Exceed limits stated for natural hair
9
Nail Polish (W)
Contain any ornamentation.
Conservative, single color, and
in good taste.
Will Not
NOTES:
1. The items listed represent the most common appearance issues.
2. Commanders do not have the authority to waive appearance and grooming standards.
CAPM 39-1, Table 1, pg. 5
WEIGHT STANDARDS
MEN
HEIGHT
4’10”
4’11”
5’
5’1”
5’2”
5’3”
5’4”
5’5”
5’6”
5’7”
5’8”
5’9”
5’10”
5’11”
199
Air Force
Standard
(Maximum
Allowable
Weight)
149
151
153
155
158
160
164
169
174
179
184
189
194
199
CAP
Standard
(Maximum
Allowable
Weight)
164
166
168
171
174
176
180
186
191
197
202
208
213
219
WOMEN
Air Force
Standard
(Maximum
Allowable
Weight)
132
134
136
138
141
142
146
150
155
159
164
168
173
177
CAP
Standard
(Maximum
Allowable
Weight)
145
147
150
152
155
156
161
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
WEIGHT STANDARDS
HEIGHT
6'
6'1"
6'2"
6'3"
6'4"
6'5"
6'6"
6'7"
6'8"
Air Force
Standard
(Maximum
Allowable
Weight)
205
211
218
224
230
236
242
248
254
MEN
CAP Standard
(Maximum
Allowable
Weight)
225
232
240
246
253
260
266
273
279
(cont)
WOMEN
Air Force
CAP Standard
Standard
(Maximum
(Maximum
Allowable
Allowable
Weight)
Weight)
182
200
188
207
194
213
199
219
205
226
210
231
215
237
221
243
226
249
NOTES:
1. Senior members and cadets who are 18 and older must meet CAP weight standards in
order to wear the AF-style uniform.
2. A weight allowance of up to 3 pounds for clothing (excluding footwear) is authorized.
3. Height measurements do not include footwear.
4. Round up to the nearest inch.
CAPM 39-1, Attachment 2, pg. A2
Minimum Basic Uniform Female
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Light Blue Blouse
Dark Blue Skirt
Flight Cap
Neutral Nylon Hose
Black Shoes
Black Handbag
Insignias
Minimum Basic Uniform - Male
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Light Blue Short-sleeve Shirt
Dark Blue Trousers
Blue Belt
Blue Flight Cap
Black Shoes and Socks
Insignias
Uniform Combinations
• Male Uniform Combinations
• Female Uniform Combinations
Senior Male Service Dress
Figure 2-1. Men’s New Service
Dress (Senior Members)
Figure 2-3. Men’s Old-style
Service Dress (Senior Members)
Senior Men’s Blues Shirts
Figure 2-6. Men’s Long-sleeve Shirt
(Senior Members)
Figure 2-9. Men’s Short-sleeve Shirt
(Senior Members)
Cadet Male Service Dress
Figure 2-2. Men’s New
Service Dress Uniform
(Cadet Officers)
Figure 2-4. Men’s Oldstyle Service Dress
Uniform (Cadet Officers)
Figure 2-5. Men’s Oldstyle Service Dress
Uniform (Cadet Airmen)
Men’s Short-sleeve Blues Shirt
Figure 2-10. Men’s Shortsleeve Shirt (Cadet Officers)
Figure 2-11. Men’s Shortsleeve Shirt (Cadet Airman)
Women’s Service Dress Uniform
Figure 2-17. Women’s New
Service Dress Uniform (Senior
Members)
Figure 2-19. Women’s Old-style
Service Dress Uniform (Senior
Members)
Cadet Female Service Dress
Figure 2-18. Women’s
New Service Dress
Uniform (Cadets)
Figure 2-20. Women’s
Old-style Service Dress
Uniform (Cadet Officers)
Figure 2-21. Women’s
Service Dress Uniform
(Cadet Airmen)
Women’s Blues Blouses
Figure 2-22. Women’s Long-sleeve
Blouse (Senior Members)
Figure 2-25. Women’s Shortsleeve Blouse (Senior Members)
Women’s Short-sleeve Blues Shirt
Figure 2-26. Women’s
Short-sleeve Blouse (Cadet
Officers)
Figure 2-27. Women’s Shortsleeve Blouse (Cadet Airmen)
Men’s and Women’s BDU
Figure 2-14. Men’s and Women’s Battle Dress Uniforms (Senior Members)
Battle Dress Uniform (BDU)
Figure 2-15. Men’s and
Women’s Battle Dress
Uniform (Cadet Officers)
Figure 2-16. Men’s and
Women’s Battle Dress Uniform
(Cadet Airmen)
Senior Men’s Headgear-Blues
Figure 3-1. Men’s Headgear
Senior Women’s Headgear-Blues
Figure 3-2. Women’s Headgear
Cadet Male Headgear-Blues
Cadet Female Headgear-Blues
Figure 3-2. Women’s Headgear
Lapel and Collar InsigniaSeniors
Figure 5-11. Lapel and Collar Insignia
(continued)
Lapel and Collar Insignia-Seniors
Figure 5-11. Lapel and Collar Insignia
Embroidered Senior Member
Officer Grade Insignia on BDU
Collar (Men and Women)
Figure 5-2. Embroidered Senior Member Officer Grade Insignia on BDU Collar (Men and Women)
Cadet Officer Grade Insignia
on Collar of BDUs
Figure 5-10. Cadet Officer Grade Insignia on Collar of BDUs
Placement of Cadet Airman
Grade Insignia
Figure 5-6. Placement of Cadet Airman Grade Insignia
Summary
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Wearing of the Uniform
Uniform Wear Policy
Command Responsibility
Dress and Appearance
Personal Grooming Standards
Uniform Combinations