Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

alcohol. If the establishment sells alcohol and food, soldiers may not wear utility uniforms if their activities in the
establishment center on drinking alcohol only.
b. Utility uniforms are not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation, such
as memorial services and funerals. These uniforms are issued as utility uniforms and are not intended for wear as allpurpose
uniforms when other uniforms are more appropriate.
6–4. Insignia and accouterments
The following insignia and accouterments are authorized for wear on these uniforms. Only embroidered insignia and
accouterments are authorized for wear on the ABDU.
a. Badges (subdued).
(1) Combat and special skill badges (para 29–17d).
(2) Special skill tabs (para 29–17e).
(3) Identification badges (para 29–18).
b. Branch insignia (paras 28–10b and 28–12b).
c. Combat leaders identification (para 28–21).
d. Grade insignia (paras 28–5, 28–6, and 28–7).
e. Headgear insignia (para 28–3).
f. Subdued shoulder sleeve insignia, current organization (para 28–16e(2)).
g. Subdued shoulder sleeve insignia, former wartime service (SSI–FWTS) (para 28–17c(2)).
h. Name and U.S. Army distinguishing tapes (paras 28–24a and 28–24b).
i. Organizational flash (para 28–31a).
j. Foreign badges are not authorized for wear on this uniform.
6–5. General guidelines
a. Basic uniform. The ABDU is for use by flight crews and personnel in other selected MOSs (military occupational
specialties), as prescribed in CTA 50–900. It will not be worn as a substitute for the BDU when the BDU is more
appropriate. Insignia is worn on the ABDU the same way as on the BDU; personnel will not wear the leather
nameplates that are worn on the flight uniform. These uniforms are designed to be slightly loose fitting; alterations to
make them form fitting are not authorized. The coat is worn outside the trousers for all duties, to include flight. The
trousers are worn with the standard black cotton web belt. The coat will not extend below the top of the cargo pocket
on the pants, and it will not extend higher than the bottom of the side pocket on the pants. Soldiers will keep sleeves
down on the ABDU during flight operations (see fig 6–1).
b. Soldiers are required to wear rank, nametape, U.S. Army tape, and the SSI, current organization. However, they
have the option of wearing the SSI–FWTS, branch insignia, and badges. If soldiers choose to wear the optional
insignia, they will bear all costs associated with the application and removal of the insignia. This includes any damage
to the organizational ABDU. All optional insignia must be removed from the ABDU prior to returning the garment to
organizational stock.
c. Soldiers are not authorized to blouse the trousers inside the boots during the execution of flight crew duties.
When not performing flight duties and the trousers are bloused, soldiers will use the draw cords or blousing rubbers if
the trousers are not tucked into the boots. Personnel will not wrap the trouser legs around the leg tightly enough to
present a pegged appearance. Soldiers will not blouse the boots so that the trouser leg extends down to the ankle area.
When bloused, the trousers should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot. When soldiers wear the
sleeves of the coat rolled up, the camouflage pattern will remain exposed. Personnel will roll the sleeves neatly above
the elbow, no more than 3 inches above the elbow. Soldiers will not press or starch the ABDU.
d. The black beret became the basic headgear for this uniform on 14 June 2001. The beret will be worn when
soldiers are not performing flight duties, unless the commander has prescribed wear of the patrol cap, as described in
chapter 3 of this regulation. When soldiers wear the patrol cap, they may wear either the temperate or the hot-weather
headgear with the ABDU. (See para 3–5 for wear policy concerning the beret and the patrol cap.)
e. The black leather combat boot and the black leather flyer’s insulated boot (when authorized according to CTA
50–900) are the authorized footwear for the ABDU. Soldiers will not wear the jungle boot with the ABDU.
f. Soldiers may wear the black leather shell gloves with these uniforms when not performing crew duties. They may
wear the gloves without cold-weather outer garments, provided sleeves are rolled down. The flight jacket is the only
authorized cold-weather coat for wear with the ABDU. The aircrew cold weather clothing system jacket will serve as
the ABDU flight jacket. Soldiers may wear the black all-weather coat as a raincoat with these uniforms when they have
not been issued organizational raingear, but only in a garrison environment and only when they are not performing
flight operations. Personnel will wear coats buttoned and zipped. The shirt collar will be worn inside the cold-weather
coat and other outer garments. Soldiers may wear the hood of the cold-weather coat at their discretion. Female
personnel may carry handbags with these uniforms only while in a garrison environment.
g. Commanders may authorize other uniforms for wear during administrative flights after performing the proper risk
assessment. Local commanders may authorize the wear of solid baseball caps (when authorized per CTA 50–900) by
32 AR 670–1 3 February 2005