Aircrew Battle Dress Uniform

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 ACWCS 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 aircraft and ground crewmembers while on the flight line or in the base operations area, as a safety and identification measure. Soldiers will wear standard headgear outside these areas. Personnel will wear insignia of grade on organiza- tional baseball caps in accordance with paragraph 28–3f. Commanders will provide the caps to individuals at no cost.
h. Protective clothing and equipment for flight crews are specified in AR 95–1, paragraph 8–9.
i. Commanders may authorize the use of a camouflage personal hydration system only in the following situations: in a field environment, in high-heat areas, or on work details. Soldiers will not carry hydration systems in a garrison environment, unless the commander has authorized it for one of the situations described above. Soldiers will not let the drinking tube hang from their mouths when the device is not in use.