Uniform phase-out date set for Nov. 1 Published Oct. 19, 2011 By Ashley M. Wright Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- On Nov. 1, wearing the Airman Battle Uniform and ABU items will become mandatory for all Airmen. "Mandatory phase-out of the battle dress uniform, desert camouflage uniform and tan boots excluding Airmen deployed to the area of responsibility is effective 1 Nov 2011," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Johnson, Air Force Special Operations Command Aircraft Maintenance and Operations superintendent and acting AFSOC first sergeant. According to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, after Oct. 31 the following items can no longer be worn by Airmen: Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) Desert Camouflage Uniform Black T-shirt Black Combat Boots Tan boots with ABU (outside Theater of Operations) The AAFES Military Clothing Sales on Hurlburt Field is no longer selling items for the old uniform and is fully stocked with the new required items. "We have seen about a 20 percent increase in [ABU sales] in the last two weeks," said Virginia McCants, Clothing Sales facilities manager. McCants suggested military members check with store staff about the changes in sizes between the two uniforms before buying. There will be no new clothing allowance associated with the final phase-out of the old uniform items. "Enlisted clothing allowance was increased in October 2007 to support purchasing the ABU and mandatory accoutrements as replacements for the BDU," Johnson said. "Airman should be in compliance with AFI 36-2903 at all times, and all Air Force members are responsible for making corrections as appropriate when deficiencies occur." The Air Force Personnel Center website directs Airmen to their chain of command for clarification on local installation policies. For more information, go to the dress and appearance section of the Air Force Personnel Center's website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/dress/index.asp.