A sudden ‘patch’ of morale

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A recent change in Air Force instruction 36-2903 allows for the wear of unit morale T-shirts and patches, in addition to dozens of other changes.

Shirts and patches that represent individual squadrons are now authorized to wear on Fridays. Squadron color T-shirts may be worn with the ABU or flight suit when in-garrison or on-station during unit temporary duty assignments and contingency deployments. Shirts must be one color throughout the squadron, and may have only a small squadron patch over the left chest. Wing commanders can authorize personnel from different units to wear the same color T-shirts to facilitate esprit de corps and team building.

"This is a great way for each unit to show its unique sense of camaraderie," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Morris, 22nd Air Refueling Wing command chief. "I really hope that everyone takes full advantage of these updates and shows us their pride."

With wing commander approval, maintainers, life support personnel and flight doctors are allowed to wear the color T-shirt of the flying squadron they support. Also authorized is the in-garrison Friday wear of morale patches and nametags that have tasteful nicknames or call signs on flight suits. Unit commanders have approval authority for morale patches and nametag naming conventions.

"The new policy on morale shirts and patches is an outward symbol of pride in what we do in our Air Force as well as the uniqueness of our squadron," said Lt. Col. Stephen Matthews, 349th Air Refueling Squadron commander. "I'm glad the 'Bandits,' as well as all the squadrons in the wing, have the opportunity to showcase that pride!"

The fully updated AFI 36-2903, with all of the changes, can be found here.

*Editor's note: Information from an Air Force Public Affairs Agency article was used in this story.*