Because you wear the official United States Air Force uniform, objectionable behavior in public can create unfavorable reaction by the public toward the AFJROTC program and the United States Air Force. Conversely, proper conduct, actions and attitude can create and sustain favorable public reactions that will enhance the image of the cadet corps.
UNIFORM WEAR is a mandatory requirement of the program. Every cadet in the program will be issued a complete uniform within the first few weeks of joining JROTC. The weekly uniform wear days are on Monday and Friday (for PT). On Monday’s and during Special Events all cadets are required to wear either the Air Force JROTC Class A or Class B uniform. Cadets are expected to WEAR THE ASSIGNED UNIFORM CORRECTLY AND PROUDLY ALL DAY. This includes travel to and from school unless excused by the SASI and/or ASI. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the SASI or ASI and will be announced in advance by the Flight Commanders. Any cadet observed not wearing their uniform the entire day without a legitimate reason will receive an unexcused zero for the day and will be counseled. On Friday’s, all cadets are expected to wear the PT uniform to include athletic running shoes during their JROTC class period. Cadets are authorized to wear the PT uniform all day or they can change into and out of the uniform at the beginning and end of their JROTC class period and will be given no more than the first and last five minutes of class respectively to do so. A cadet’s weekly physical fitness grade is dependent upon wearing a proper PT uniform. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the SASI or ASI and will be announced in advance by the Flight Commanders.
Cadets that do not wear their issued Air Force uniform on the assigned date will be marked with an unexcused, no uniform incident and will receive a zero for the day. Cadets that received 3 unexcused, no uniform incidents in a semester will be removed from JROTC.
There may be days when a cadet has a legitimate reason for not wearing the uniform on the scheduled uniform wear day (field trips, classroom activities, performances, etc.). It is the cadet's responsibility to coordinate an alternative wear date with the SASI or ASI BEFORE these situations come up. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused, no uniform incident for the cadet.
When a cadet is absent on a uniform wear date, it is the responsibility of the cadet to wear their uniform on their first day back to school. For example, if the uniform wear date is Monday and a cadet is absent Monday and Tuesday, the cadet is required to wear the uniform to school all day on Wednesday. Failure to wear the Air Force uniform on their first day back will result in an unexcused, no uniform incident for the cadet.
If a cadet was absent on uniform day and is subsequently required to wear their Air Force issued uniform on a PT day, they will be expected to wear the Air Force uniform as required, change into PT clothes during the JROTC period to participate in PT, and then change back into the Air Force uniform at the end of the period. Authorized uniform items not issued by the SASI and/or ASI are considered optional items and require SASI and/or ASI approval prior to wear. If approved, these items must be purchased by cadets. Service caps may be worn by cadet officers and others approved by the SASI and/or ASI. At the beginning of the academic year, all cadets will acknowledge receipt of issued uniform items by signing a uniform issue receipt. By signing this receipt, the cadet agrees to exercise all reasonable caution and care to assure that items of Air Force property are cared for and not damaged due to carelessness, neglect, improper cleaning and/or laundering methods.
Routine uniform maintenance and cleaning is the responsibility of the cadet and all accountable/returnable items must be professionally dry cleaned as needed throughout the year.
Cadets are required to return all accountable/returnable uniform items at the end of the school year. If a cadet leaves the program before the end of the school year, he or she is required to immediately return all accountable/returnable uniform items. Failure to turn in uniforms when required will result in the cadet being placed on the “Fees/Fines” list until the uniforms are returned or paid for. The total replacement cost for all standard issued items is approximately $475.00. ALL accountable/returnable uniform items must be professional dry cleaned prior to turning in to the SASI and/or ASI. A $20 fee will be assessed for each item returned that has not been professional cleaned. The receipt for the professionally cleaned uniform items should be hanging in the plastic bag with the receipt from the cleaners stapled to the bag. At the time of turn in, the SASI and/or ASI will validate all items have been returned and inspect all items for damage. Cadets will be held financially responsible for any lost or willfully damaged uniform item(s). ALL issued uniform items must be professional cleaned and returned to JROTC upon notification from the SASI/ASI, or when you are no longer enrolled in the AFJROTC program. A $20 fee will be assessed for each item returned that has not been professional cleaned. If you are currently on the Drill Team or Color Guard, you are authorized to wear team specific cords, berets, ascots and belts during performances. Of these items, only the beret may be worn when not performing a detail, and even then the beret may only be worn with some combination of the blue uniform (read, not in ABUs and not in PT or spirit gear). You will NOT wear articles of the cadet uniform and civilian clothing items together. If you have a legitimate excuse (medical) for not wearing certain uniforms items, shoes for example, you must see the SASI and/or ASI for possible waiver solutions. The DARK BLUE uniform items are DRY CLEAN only. They will be damaged by laundering and you will be financially responsible. The LIGHT BLUE items should be LAUNDERED instead of dry cleaned. Dry cleaning them will not get them thoroughly clean especially shirt/blouse collars. Do not place your hands or store bulky items in your uniform pockets. Do not place articles under the shoulder strap of the shirt or coat. Carry books and other objects in your left hand to free the right arm for saluting. You may not perform hard labor, or engage in sports activities while wearing the uniform. DO NOT wear the uniform during activities that can result in damage to the uniform. If you are in a class that requires you to perform duties that may damage the uniform, you should wear aprons, coveralls or change out of the uniform and change back after the period. You will not wear uniform hats indoors unless permission is obtained from the SASI and/or ASI.