Airmen can don the OCP uniform starting Oct. 1. Here’s what’s allowed.

I anticipate that over time the AF will move the rank back to the sleeves. The AF has always worn rank on their sleeves and the biggest complaint about the OCP’s from AF members is the rank on the chest. It’s nearly impossible to tell someone’s rank until you are right next to them. In AFSOC we have been wearing OCP’s stateside for several years now and on deployments for many years. The rank placement has always been an issue with our folks.

I also see the AF moving away from Velcro and ordering the name tapes and rank to be seen down. I also see function badges and other stuff coming back.

In fact, I see the OCP as the new BDU. Meaning that eventually all services will go to it and be allowed to make small changes that fit their unique branch. Just like BDU’s were for many years.

SMSgt Thor Merich - I blame my elementary school English teachers ... No, the AF has not "Always" worn ranks on their sleeves. If you can give one example to prove it false, Always isn't used ...

There were those couple of years during the "McAirforce" (When Gen. McPeak was CINC USAF) when we were forced to go to the Air Crew Style name badge. And the same complaints were there. Officers were complaining that they were not being saluted ... because those small letters were difficult to see at more than 3 ft ... so we were forced to pay to have our stripes sewn back on and the velcro patches removed.