What do you think of the Air Force Enlisted Semi Formal Dress uniform?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:32:29 -0400

Thoughts on Air Force Enlisted Semi Formal Dress. Do you think it is a strange combination (or lack of) or not?

I was looking through old pictures of me in semi formal and thought to myself, "how can this be authorized"? well I would like to pick the brains of all of you! here's the break down; white shirt (instead of blue) under the service coat, no name tape, all ribbons mandatory, no headgear (even outside), and saluting is not required when outdoors. This just sounds like a strange mismatch of things that don't add up right in my head (which is why I went to a mess dress now). What are your thoughts on the Enlisted Semi Formal attire?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:35 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:35:21 -0400

Of the branches, I think our dress uniform is just about the most bland. I think we are, as a branch, struggling to identify ourselves fully as we are the youngest. I kind of like it, but wish there was something more to it to catch the eye, you know?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:35 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:35:44 -0400

I was looking through old pictures of me in semi formal and thought to myself, "how can this be authorized"? well I would like to pick the brains of all of you! here's the break down; white shirt (instead of blue) under the service coat, no name tape, all ribbons mandatory, no headgear (even outside), and saluting is not required when outdoors. This just sounds like a strange mismatch of things that don't add up right in my head (which is why I went to a mess dress now). What are your thoughts on the Enlisted Semi Formal attire?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 28 at 2015 10:06 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:06:29 -0400

Personally not a fan. I actually have a whole speech on why you should get Mess Dress as a SrA.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 10:52 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:52:36 -0400

I was told years ago to buy a Mess Dress and then I saw the price and told my supervisor (under my breath) to get bent!! Well, for SNCO's it is not mandatory, but...everyone should have one. I got lucky with mine, because a Chief I know is retiring and gave me his, so that saved me a lot of coin.

As far as the semi-formal, it is a bit strange to remove some of the items and all of a sudden it is considered a different uniform.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 5:27 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:27:13 -0400

Yeah. I decided a long time ago I had better things to spend over $400 on. So, I wore the Semi Formal Dress instead of buying Mess Dress.

If you have the funds to buy Mess Dress do so. If not wear the Semi Formal. I think it is kind of silly to remove anything from any uniform and call it something else. However, wearing a white shirt instead of a blue one is o.k.

Response by SSgt Armen Mansouri made Jun 11 at 2015 2:25 PM

SSgt Armen Mansouri — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 14:25:37 -0400

looks to casual civilian suit. I believe military dress uniforms should stand out, and snap. I envy the Marines for their uniform. Very distinct and brings pride to the marine wearing it.

Response by SSgt Dale W. made Jun 25 at 2015 12:54 PM

SSgt Dale W. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:54:38 -0400

What the hell happened to the breast pockets?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 7:26 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 07:26:58 -0400

I personally think the white shirt under the jacket looks a lot better then the light blue. I like them!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 27 at 2015 12:40 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 00:40:29 -0400

Personally do not care for it. The Mess Dress is sharp, and looks much better than the Semi-Formal. If I am going to put on a uniform with the purpose of Dressing Up, I am going to wear the Mess Dress. I have found several places that rent the uniforms (complete with stripes), kind of like renting a Tux, for those who do not want to buy them. Just an opinion.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Aug 3 at 2015 1:17 PM

SrA David Steyer — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 13:17:19 -0400

I think if a bowtie was authorized and you could wear medals, it would be better, it just seems lazy to me.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2016 5:14 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 17:14:58 -0400

What are you supposed to put on the white shirt

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 26 at 2017 9:24 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 09:24:12 -0500

I never though the McPeak uniform to look like a business suit was ever a good idea. I'm not bothered by the white shirt, no name tags approach to more formal events, that is nothing new. A black bow tie could even be worn with the combination in the past to formalize it a bit more without having to buy mess dress. I do not and never have thought it was proper to have any uniform combination where You could be outside without a hat, its still a uniform and a hat in My opinion should always be a part of it. Being outdoors without a hat and that being a waiver not to show salutes and proper Military courtesy, allowed, to bad, it don't think that should even have happened. Not everyone has earned the rights to exchange these courtesies, We as Military people should keep that intact. I don't now or I ever had a problem with observance of proper Military protocol and traditions and do not Myself approve of waivers for what should be expected.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 23 at 2018 6:08 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:08:12 -0400

Honestly, as someone in another Service, I am trying to figure out what the difference is?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 23 at 2018 6:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:10:09 -0400

It looks out of balance.

Response by SSgt Rick Scharnberg made Aug 4 at 2018 8:02 AM

SSgt Rick Scharnberg — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 08:02:10 -0400

I'm probably showing my age, but when I was in the Air Force the Dinning In uniform was dress blues, white shirt and bowtie, with service hat. Then again I was
issued one of the last horse blanket bus driver blue overcoats. The Air Force uniform has changed to much for me.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 6 at 2019 11:10 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:10:27 -0400

It still just looks like a shoddy blue rental suit with crap thrown on it...

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Sep 1 at 2019 5:53 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 17:53:03 -0400

EWWW...OK, how do I really feel? In my first enlistment I never heard of a semi-formal uniform, or even a mess dress. Maybe it is because I worked night shift in the hospital emergency room and was exempt from most daytime activities.

When I was commissioned many years later, I went to my direct commissioning MIMSO (Military Indoctrination for Medical Service Officers) at Shepard AFB, TX (the same base I went to Tech School 15 years earlier) and I learned the social requirements expected of me as an officer. Good news for me was that AFRES and ANG Officers were not required to purchase Mess Dress uniform, so I never got one. In my subsequent service in the AFRES I was never invited to a dining in or out, so I was glad I never purchased the uniform.

When I elected to leave the military after Desert Storm, I game my uniforms to an NCO who was one of 2 people who were offered slots....they replaced me with 3 people....thanks for the help! I wonder how many times since 1998 the Air Force has changed uniforms.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2019 9:43 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 09:43:43 -0500

I personally believe that the mess dress uniform looks horrible and more like a waiter’s uniform. Maybe because I’m a former Marine. I’ve always worn the semi formal dress uniform and think it looks better than the mess dress uniform.