Air Force Uniform Changes

The Air Force made three significant uniform changes Oct. 1: it did away with enlisted shoulder board ranks, introduced a new physical training uniform, and added an insignia. The Air Force introduced shoulder board rank, originally called shoulder mark insignia, for senior NCOs in 1982. At the time, officials said it would bring added recognition to the top three enlisted ranks. Senior NCOs now may wear shoulder boards only on the blue sweater. Airmen now also have physical training gear to wear when taking part in group physical training events or annual fitness tests. The U.S. insignia in a circle is now mandatory wear on the enlisted blue jacket. That change reverts to the traditional insignia-with-circle that Airmen wore from 1918 through the early 1990s.