158 th
AFROTC CADET WING, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
“Preparing Together to Serve Together”
19 January 2011
MEMORANDUM FOR 158 TH CADET WING
FROM: IG/S&E
SUBJECT: Wing Blues Wear Standardization
1. This memo outlines the standard procedures for wear and maintenance of the Short Sleeve
Blues (SSB) uniform in accordance with AFI 36 – 2903 Uniform Wear and Regulations For Air
Force Personnel . It also contains some helpful tips to SSB preparation and maintenance.
2. Your shirt should be neatly pressed, lint/stain and cable free, and look professional at all times.
a. Males Center name tag on (but not over) edge of right pocket. Ribbons are optional. If worn, all ribbons and devices must be worn. Center ribbons resting on (but not over) edge of left pocket between the left and right edges. Center Pilot/CSO/parachute badge 1/2 inch above ribbons or pocket if not wearing ribbons. Center additional badge 1/2 inch above the first one.
b. Females Center name tag on right side, even with to 1 1/2 inches higher or lower than the first exposed button. Center ribbons on left side parallel with ground. Align bottom of the ribbons with the bottom of the name tag. Ribbons are optional. If worn, all ribbons and devices will be worn. Center Pilot/CSO/parachute badge 1/2 inch above the ribbons. When not wearing ribbons, center badge parallel to the name tag. Center additional badge 1/2 inch above first one.
c. Ties or long sleeve shirts will not be worn by cadets with the short sleeve blues uniform.
The illustrations below are for picturing nametag, badge and ribbon placement only. Also, only female POC cadets are authorized to wear the princess cut shirt pictured.

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d. Make sure your gig line is straight. The gig line is a straight line down the center of the
SSB shirt, through the belt buckle, down through the zipper seam on the trousers. Ranks should be reinforced with a piece of cardboard and grounded as close to the seam of the sleeves as possible.

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e. Your shirt should be military tucked at all times. Perform the military tuck by pinching the sides of the shirt at the seams. Then fold the excess material from the back of the shirt under the excess material from the front of the shirt. Then tuck. It should look like this when done.
2. Trousers should be sharply creased down the center of the back and front of the legs. Take the time to iron the pants out with some light pressure and your trousers will look sharp. Use the cotton setting on your iron with steam; ensure that you don’t iron the same spot too hard or for too long as the pants will burn easily. This will create a noticeable burn mark.
a. When standing, the front of trouser legs rests on the front of shoe or boot with a slight break in the crease; back of trouser legs will be approximately 7/8 inch longer than the front.
The best way to accomplish this is to have them tailored to you specifically. You can also adjust the waist up or down to make the trousers sit right on your low quarters.
b. Trousers should present a professional appearance at all times by being neatly pressed and free of stains, lint, and cables. The back left pocket button “idiot button” will be buttoned at all times unless quickly retrieving an item from that pocket.

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3. Your low quarters (shoes) should be shined as well as dirt or grass free if possible when wearing the SSB uniform.
a. Low quarters should present a professional appearance; it is recommended to lace shoes as shown in the illustration, with a bar at the bottom and an “X” at the top. At Field Training this type of lacing will be required.
b. The low quarters pictured are hand shined. Only POC cadets will be authorized to wear
CORFRAM low quarters. These are made with a built in and enhanced shine.
4. Preparation and maintenance tools will be your key to looking sharp when wearing SSBs. An effective method to shine your shoes is to apply the polish with a cotton ball dampened with hot water. When dried, polish it in small circular motions with a slightly damper cotton ball, also hot water. Shirt garters are optional, but highly recommended to maintain the proper military tuck.

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5. Flight Cap is worn slightly to the wearer's right with vertical crease of the cap in line with the center of the forehead. In a straight line with the nose, the cap extends approximately 1 inch from the eyebrows in the front, opening of cap is to the rear. If not worn, tuck under the belt on wearer’s left side, between first and second belt loops; cap will not fold over belt.
6. The Lightweight Blues Jacket may be worn indoors or outdoors and must be zipped up at least halfway. The zipper should be tucked in. Hard ranks will be centered 5/8 inch from the edge of the epaulet. When removed indoors place on the back of your seat, and women may wear the male version of the lightweight blues jacket.
7. All personal grooming standards apply while wearing SSBs (refer to AFI 36-2903 table 1.5) with one exception: long female hair will be secured but may have loose ends; body art (tattoos) and jewelry standards apply (refer to AFI 36-2903 table 2.5).
8. Every cadet will be held to these standards throughout the semester unless notified otherwise.
We are all responsible for looking out each other and making sure our wingman is within standards. The active duty Air Force always requires focus on the finest of details. If a base commander orders all personnel to don chemical protective (MOPP) gear and Airman are unfamiliar with the proper wear procedures, lives could potentially be lost. Flight commanders are responsible for addressing and documenting discrepancies.
9. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask your Flight Standardization Officer or
Flight Commander. If questions cannot be answered by those individuals, please contact me at
386-801-2471 or jwhito2007@yahoo.com.
//SIGNED/JDW/19JAN11//
Jonathan D. White, C/Major, AFROTC
Standardization and Evaluations Officer