Subject: ALARACT 177/2010 ‐ ARMY AIRCREW COMBAT UNIFORM (A2CU) WEAR POLICY Originator: /C=US/O=U.S. GOVERNMENT/OU=DOD/OU=ARMY/OU=ORGANIZATIONS/L=CONUS/L=WASHINGTON DC/OU=DA PENTAGON TELECOMMUNICATIONS(UC)/OU=ALARACT RELEASE AUTHORITY(UC) DTG: 110422Z Jun 10 Precedence: ROUTINE DAC: General To: /C=US/O=U.S. GOVERNMENT/OU=DOD/OU=ARMY/OU=ORGANIZATIONS/OU=ADDRESS LISTS/CN=AL ALARACT(UC) /C=US/O=U.S. GOVERNMENT/OU=DOD/OU=AUTODIN PLAS/OU=AIG 6‐AZ/OU=ALARACT ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ UNCLASSIFIED// THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN SENT BY THE PENTAGON TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER ON BEHALF OF DA WASHINGTON DC//G‐1//. SUBJECT: ARMY AIRCREW COMBAT UNIFORM (A2CU) WEAR POLICY 1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO ANNOUNCE IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CARE AND WEAR OF THE NEW WRINKLE‐FREE, UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ARMY AIRCREW COMBAT UNIFORM. POLICY CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. 2. THE ARMY AIRCREW COMBAT UNIFORM (A2CU) IS AUTHORIZED FOR YEAR ROUND WEAR BY AIRCREW MEMBERS, AS SPECIFIED IN CTA 50‐900, WHEN PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMANDER. 3. A2CU ENSEMBLE COMPOSITION: 3A. THE A2CU ENSEMBLE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: A2CU COAT A2CU TROUSERS 3B. MATERIAL COMPOSITION: THE A2CU FABRIC IS MADE OF FLAME RESISTANT MATERIALS PRINTED WITH THE UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN (UCP). 3C. TROUSERS, AIRCREW, UCP. THE TROUSERS HAVE A COVERED FRONT SLIDE FASTENER FLY CLOSURE, TWO ADJUSTABLE WAIST STRAPS, HEMMED LEGS, AND SEVEN EVENLY SPACED BELT LOOPS WITH A 2‐1/4 INCH OPENING. THE WAISTBAND HAS A BUTTON AND BUTTONHOLE CLOSURE. THERE ARE SINGLE LAYER PATCHES AT THE KNEES AND SEAT. THE TROUSERS CONTAIN NINE POCKETS; TWO SIDE HANGING POCKETS, TWO THIGH POCKETS WITH NARROW PLEATS, TWO CALF (LOWER LEG) POCKETS ‐ THE LEFT CALF POCKET ONLY HAS AN INTERNAL BELLOWED POCKET AND BOTH CALF POCKETS HAVE EXTERNAL TOOL POCKETS, AND ONE KNIFE POCKET WITH LANYARD (ON THE LEFT THIGH). ALL POCKETS, EXCEPT THE SIDE HANGING POCKETS AND THE INTERNAL LEFT CALF POCKET ‐ HAVE FLAPS AND SLIDE FASTENER CLOSURES. THE LEFT THIGH POCKET HAS A FRONT EDGE OPENING WHILE ALL OTHER POCKETS HAVE A TOP OPENING. THE LEG POCKET SLIDERS CLOSE AS FOLLOWS: UPWARD FOR THE LEFT THIGH POCKET AND TOWARD THE OUTSEAM ON ALL OTHER POCKETS. THE KNIFE POCKET HAS BOUND EDGES AND AN INTEGRATED FLAP WITH A SNAP CLOSURE. THE SIDE HANGING POCKETS CLOSE WITH TWO STRIPS OF HOOK AND LOOP FASTENER TAPE. FOR BLOUSING PURPOSES, THERE ARE TABS WITH HOOK AND LOOP TAPE CLOSURES ON THE LOWER LEGS. 4. A2CU ACCESSORIES. THE FOLLOWING ACCESSORIES MAY BE WORN WITH THE A2CU:
BERET WITH ORGANIZATIONAL FLASH ACU PATROL CAP ARMY COMBAT SHIRT (ACS) COAT, AIRCREW, UCP ARMY COMBAT BOOTS ‐ HOT WEATHER FLYERS (TAN) ARMY COMBAT BOOTS ‐ TEMPERATE WEATHER (TAN) BOOT SOCKS (GREEN, TAN, OR BLACK) TWO‐INCH RIGGER BELT (MUST MEET FLASH/FLAME CRITERIA FOR AIRCREW MEMBERS PERFORMING AIRCREW DUTIES) T‐SHIRT (GREEN OR SAND)‐ COTTON ONLY UNDERGARMENTS ELBOW PADS KNEE PADS HOOK AND LOOP (VELCRO) FULL COLOR U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA HOOK AND LOOP (VELCRO) IR SUBDUED U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA HOOK AND LOOP SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA HOOK AND LOOP EMBROIDERED GRADE INSIGNIA HOOK AND LOOP SUBDUED NAME TAPE HOOK AND LOOP SUBDUED U.S. ARMY TAPE MAX GRIP NT (NOMEX), FRICTION FIGHTER NOMEX GLOVES, OR SUMMER WEIGHT FLIGHT GLOVES (GREEN/BLACK OR GREEN/SAND) 5. OCCASIONS FOR WEAR OF THE A2CU: 5A. SOLDIERS MAY WEAR THE A2CU ON DUTY WHEN PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMANDER FOR FLIGHT OPERATIONS. SOLDIERS MAY WEAR THE A2CU OFF POST, UNLESS PROHIBITED BY THE COMMANDER. THE A2CU IS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR DURING COMMERCIAL TRAVEL BOTH CONUS AND OCONUS. IN OCONUS AREAS, COMMANDERS WILL LIMIT TRAVEL IN UNIFORM TO MILITARY AIRLIFT COMMAND FLIGHTS OR AMERICAN FLAGGED CARRIERS. COMMANDERS AND LEADERS WILL ENSURE SOLDIERS PRESENT A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE AND REFLECT POSITIVELY ON THE ARMY AT ALL TIMES. THE REST AND RECUPERATION (R&R) PROGRAM HAS BEEN AND STILL IS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS AND THE POLICY REGARDING WEAR OF THE UTILITY UNIFORMS DURING THIS PROGRAM REMAINS IN EFFECT. PERSONNEL MAY NOT WEAR THE A2CU IN ESTABLISHMENTS THAT PRIMARILY SELL ALCOHOL. IF THE ESTABLISHMENT SELLS ALCOHOL AND FOOD, SOLDIERS MAY NOT WEAR UTILITY UNIFORMS IF THEIR ACTIVATES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT CENTER ON DRINKING ALCOHOL ONLY. 5B. UTILITY UNIFORMS ARE NOT NORMALLY CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR SOCIAL OR OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS OFF THE INSTALLATION, SUCH AS MEMORIAL SERVICES AND FUNERALS. THESE UNIFORMS ARE ISSUED AS UTILITY UNIFORMS AND ARE NOT INTENDED FOR WEAR AS ALL PURPOSE UNIFORMS WHEN OTHER UNIFORMS ARE MORE APPROPRIATE. 6. INSIGNIAS AND ACCOUTERMENTS: THE FOLLOWING INSIGNIAS AND ACCOUTERMENTS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH THE A2CU: BERET WITH ORGANIZATIONAL FLASH ACU SUN (BOONIE) HAT ARMY COMBAT SHIRT (ACS) SOCKS (GREEN, TAN OR BLACK) BLACK ALL‐WEATHER COAT COAT, COLD WEATHER, (FIELD JACKET) (ACU UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN)
PARKA, COLD WEATHER, CAMOUFLAGE (GORTEX JACKET) (ACU UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN) TROUSERS, COLD WEATHER, CAMOUFLAGE (GORTEX PANTS) (ACU UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN) PARKA, WET WEATHER, CAMOUFLAGE (WET WEATHER JACKET) (ACU UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN) TROUSERS, WET WEATHER, CAMOUFLAGE (ACU UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN) ACU FLEECE BLACK OR GREEN (EXTENDED COLD‐WEATHER CLOTHING SYSTEM‐ECWCS) CHAPLAIN'S APPAREL GLOVES HANDBAGS (FEMALES ONLY) NECKGAITER, (OCIE) SCARVES T‐SHIRT, (GREEN OR SAND) (OR FUTURE FLAME RESISTANT MATERIAL) COMBAT AND SPECIAL SKILL BADGES (PIN ON SUBDUED) (OPTIONAL) ‐ 5 MAX HEADGEAR INSIGNIA SUBDUED PIN‐ON RANK INSIGNIA HOOK AND LOOP, SUBDUED SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA‐FORMER WARTIME SERVICE (SSI‐FWTS) 'COMBAT PATCH' (OPTIONAL) HOOK AND LOOP SKILL TABS (OPTIONAL) ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMANDER MEDICAL ITEMS IAW CTA 50‐900 OR CTA 8‐100 (MEDICAL PERSONNEL) PERSONAL HYDRATION SYSTEMS, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMANDER DRILL SERGEANT AND RECRUITER BADGES (PIN ON) (SUBDUED) 7. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE A2CU: 7A. THE A2CU IS FOR USE BY FLIGHT CREWS AND PERSONNEL IN OTHER SELECTED MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES, AS PRESCRIBED IN CTA 50‐900. IT WILL NOT BE WORN AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (ACU) WHEN THE ACU IS MORE APPROPRIATE. WEAR AND APPEARANCE OF THE HEADGEAR, SKILL BADGES, RANK INSIGNIA, BRANCH INSIGNIA, LAST NAME/U.S. ARMY TAPE, SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA, U.S. FLAG INSIGNIA, SKILL TABS, AND IDENTIFICATION BADGES ARE THE SAME AS OUTLINED FOR THE ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM OUTLINED IN ALARACT MESSAGE 078/2005. THIS UNIFORM IS DESIGNED TO BE SLIGHTLY LOOSE FITTING; ALTERATIONS TO MAKE IT FORM FITTING ARE NOT AUTHORIZED. THE COAT IS WORN OUTSIDE THE TROUSERS FOR ALL DUTIES, TO INCLUDE FLIGHT. THE SLEEVES WILL BE WORN DOWN AT ALL TIMES, AND NOT ROLLED OR CUFFED. THE TROUSERS ARE WORN WITH THE STANDARD RIGGER BELT (SEE FOOTNOTE). THE COAT WILL NOT EXTEND BELOW THE TOP OF THE CARGO POCKET ON THE PANTS, AND IT WILL NOT EXTEND HIGHER THAN THE BOTTOM OF THE SIDE POCKET ON THE PANTS. THE GREEN OR SAND T‐SHIRT (COTTON ONLY) IS WORN UNDERNEATH THE COAT AND IS TUCKED INSIDE THE TROUSERS AT ALL TIMES. 7B. SOLDIERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR RANK, NAMETAPE, U.S. ARMY TAPE, AND THE CURRENT ORGANIZATIONAL SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA (SSI). HOWEVER, THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF WEARING THE SSI‐FWTS, AND BADGES. THE SSI AND BADGES WILL BE REMOVED BY ALL AIRCREW MEMBERS PRIOR TO ENTRY ONTO THE FLIGHT LINE OR WORKING IN AND AROUND AIRCRAFTS. ALL OPTIONAL INSIGNIAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE A2CU PRIOR TO RETURNING THE GARMENT TO ORGANIZATIONAL STOCK.
7C. SOLDIERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BLOUSE THE TROUSERS INSIDE THE BOOTS DURING THE EXECUTION OF FLIGHT CREW DUTIES. WHEN NOT PERFORMING FLIGHT DUTIES AND THE TROUSERS ARE BLOUSED, SOLDIERS WILL USE THE HOOK PILE BLOUSING STRAPS IF THE TROUSERS ARE NOT TUCKED INTO THE BOOTS. PERSONNEL WILL NOT WRAP THE TROUSER LEGS AROUND THE LEG TIGHTLY ENOUGH TO PRESENT A PEGGED APPEARANCE. SOLDIERS WILL NOT BLOUSE THE BOOTS SO THAT THE TROUSER LEG EXTENDS DOWN TO THE ANKLE AREA. WHEN BLOUSED, THE TROUSERS SHOULD NOT EXTEND BELOW THE THIRD EYELET FROM THE TOP OF THE BOOT. SOLDIERS WILL NOT PRESS OR STARCH THE A2CU. 7D. THE BERET IS THE BASIC HEADGEAR FOR WEAR WITH THE A2CU. THE BERET WILL BE WORN WHEN SOLDIERS ARE NOT PERFORMING FLIGHT DUTIES, UNLESS THE COMMANDER HAS PRESCRIBED WEAR OF THE PATROL CAP AS OUTLINED IN ALARACT 078/2005. 7E. THE TAN TEMPERATE WEATHER ARMY COMBAT BOOTS, THE TAN HOT WEATHER FLYERS BOOTS AND THE INSULATED LEATHER FLYERS BOOTS (WHEN AUTHORIZED ACCORDING TO CTA 50‐900) ARE AUTHORIZED FOOTWEAR FOR THE A2CU. 7F. SOLDIERS MAY WEAR GLOVES WITH THE A2CU WHEN NOT PERFORMING CREW DUTIES. THEY MAY WEAR THE GLOVES WITHOUT COLD WEATHER OUTER GARMENTS. FEMALE PERSONNEL MAY CARRY HANDBAGS WITH THE A2CU ONLY WHILE IN A GARRISON ENVIRONMENT. 7G. COMMANDERS MAY AUTHORIZE OTHER UNIFORMS FOR WEAR DURING ADMINISTRATIVE FLIGHTS AFTER PERFORMING THE PROPER RISK ASSESSMENT. 8. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ARMY G‐1. 9. HQDA POC FOR UNIFORM WEAR POLICY IS SGM KATRINA EASLEY, [email protected], DSN 664‐0620, COMMERCIAL (703)604‐0620. 10. THIS MESSAGE EXPIRES UPON PUBLICATION OF THE NEXT AR 670‐1 UPDATE. 11. EXPIRATION DATE CANNOT BE DETERMINED.