New uniforms a hit at Tyndall
If you notice a bunch of strange-looking military uniforms at the grocery store, don’t worry: They’re the good guys.
Tyndall Air Force Base’s Military Clothing Sales put the first shipment of the new Airman Battle Uniform, or ABU, on sale to all airmen on Wednesday, and the blue-greenish, tiger-stripe-ish outfit has sold like hotcakes.
“It’s been a mad house here,” Mary Lattal, senior associate at Military Clothing Sales, said in a Tyndall news release.
The uniform departs from the older “ink blob” Battle Dress Uniforms, or BDUs, introduced servicewide in 1981, in more than fabric pattern. ABUs continue the recent military movement toward “wash and wear,” meaning the days of crisply starched, sharply creased, spit-shone uniforms are giving way to increased comfort, better materials and improved uniform life.
In fact, while BDUs are expected to be pressed almost daily, it is against regulations to iron or starch ABUs.
New trainees began receiving the uniforms in October 2007, and different bases have received the uniform at different times.
The Air Force is hoping to finalize uniform transition by Fiscal Year 2011.