Cadet Male - Blues Uniform

Cadet Basic - Airmen & NCO

The male blues shirt has pockets.

A tie is NOT required with the short sleeve shirt.

Cadet Officer

• Will wear mini metal insignia on the epaulets.

CADET OFFICER

Cadet Basics - NCO's

Flight cap device / Insignia

Centered on left side, 1 1⁄2” from edge.

• Cadet Basics - NCO's - will wear the Flight Cap Device
• Cadet Officers - Will wear a regular size grade insignia.

Male and female flight caps are slightly different in style but prescribe the same rule for placing the device.

Cadet Officers

Centered on the right breast, even with inches higher or lower than the first exposed button, parallel to the ground. 

Centered on the left breast, parallel to the ground. The bottom of the set of ribbons is even with the bottom of the nametag. Wear of ribbons is optional on the light blue shirt.

Chevrons

Rest 1-inch from the  collar edge, parallel to that edge and centered. Chevrons are worn on both collars and in the same manner on ABUs and Blues alike. Until you earn your first stripe, you won’t wear anything on your collar.

Belt & buckle

Blues pants

The front of the pant leg should rest on the front of the shoe, with a slight break in the crease and 7⁄8” longer on the back.

Cadet Basic - Airmen & NCO

The tie is required to be worn if wearing the long sleeve shirt.

When wearing a tie, you must also wear a tie clip. 

Cadet Officer

The Service Jacket is optional at all ranks.

• It may be requested for special events or color guard activities.

The tie is required to be worn if wearing the service jacket. 

If the service jacket is removed, the name tag and rank must also be worn on the over blouse. The ribbon rack is optional. 

Insignia Placement

• Will be placed halfway up the seam, resting on but not over it. The “CAP” letters in the insignia are parallel with the ground. Grade insignia replaces lapel insignia for cadet Airmen and NCOs. 

Cadet Airmen & NCO

• Will wear their grade insignia on their lapel. 

Cadet Officer

• Will wear the shoulder boards with the regular size rank insignia.
• Will wear the CAP insignia on their lapels. 

• Air Force belt blue cotton with mirror finish buckle and tip.

• Black plain dress shoes.

• The male flight cap is squared off compared to the female flight cap which is rounded off.
• Headgear will be worn outdoors at all times, unless in a designated “no hat” area.
• Cadet Officers will wear their grade insignia on the cap instead of the hat device.

•  Will only be worn with the Service Dress.
• Cadet Officers - This cover is optional
• Honor Guard -  Male Service cap with Cadet Officer cap device and rear chinstrap will be worn by all Honor Guard members. 
• Cadet service cap insignia/cap device; no clouds and darts are authorized for cadets. 
• The visor-type service cap is banded with dark blue 1 ¾-inch braid and has a front black chinstrap.
  • An optional version has a braid of an open mesh construction and an optional black leather back strap.
• Cadet service cap insignia; no clouds and darts are authorized for cadets. 

Wear Instructions

• The cap sits squarely on the head with no hair protruding in front of the cap.
• When cap is to be placed on the head, place the thumb on one side of the cap above the visor, two fingers on the top above the insignia, and the remainder of the fingers on the other side above the visor. Do not touch the visor. 
• When the cap is not worn, it is to be carried under the left arm with crown (top) toward the arm and the visor to the front.

• Undershirt: White V-Neck T-Shirt

• Tie is optional for the short sleeve blues shirt.
• Tie is required for the long sleeve blues shirt or when worn with the service jacket.
  • Clip-on or a regular tie is acceptable. 

• Tie clip is required when wearing a tie and no Service Jacket.
  • Both the tie bar and tie tac are acceptable.

• The service jacket is optional for all ranks.
  • It may be requested for special events or color guard activities.
  • Due to cost, cadets growing, etc. some decide to wait until cadets receive their officer rank to purchase one. But it is NOT required for officers to wear the service jacket.
     
• Male service jacket is NOT contoured, has a left breast pocket, 3 USAF Crest or CAP Crest buttons, and two patch pockets slightly below the waistline.
  • You can purchase an enlisted or officer service jacket.
    • Cadet Officer shoulder boards come with velcro that can be sewn directly onto the service jacket or the epaulets. 
    • There are enlisted-to-officer conversion kits that can be purchased to have a tailor sew on.
      • Plus of having Epaulets, if your cadet decides to become a senior member, you will have epaulets already on the service blues. Just DO NOT glue the velcro to the uniform. 
  • Notes:
    • Cadet officers do NOT wear the Air Force blue sleeve braids.
    • The Service Jacket is NOT available on Vanguard and can only be found on base, through AAFES, or on eBay.

• The USAF-style Topcoat, All-weather Coat, Lightweight Blue Jacket, Wool/Acrylic Pullover or Cardigan Sweater may be worn.