Flight Attendant Uniforms

Amendment / Modification

This memorandum immediately implements changes to DAFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Department of the Air Force Personnel. Compliance is mandatory, and its directions prevail over inconsistent publications.

Key changes and reissued instructions include:

• Table 5.1 Updates: Authorized patches and qualification tabs have been updated.
• Officer Uniforms: Requirement for all officers to maintain a full set of OCP uniforms has been removed, reverting to maintaining uniforms required for assigned duties and mission requirements.
• Wear Restrictions:
  • Restrictions on wearing earpieces, earbuds, headphones, or earphones while in uniform (indoors or outdoors) for official duties.
  • Restrictions on personal media device use while walking in uniform, limited to emergencies or official business.
• Sunglasses: Mirrored lenses are no longer authorized; wear of Meta/AI glasses in uniform is restricted.
• Bags and Watch Caps: Standardization of authorized bag colors and clarification of authorization and colors for watch caps.
• Duty Identifier Patches: Removal of restriction on wear of duty identifier patches.
• Colored T-Shirts: Permitted wear of colored T-shirts on Fridays with utility uniforms when authorized by the unit commander.
• Call Signs: Authorization for call signs for daily wear on flight duty and desert flight duty uniform nametags.
• Combat Boots: Requirement changed to 6-12 inches in height, with a compliance deadline of September 30, 2026.
• Shaving Profile: Authority changed to unit commanders.
• Sideburns and Mustaches: Updated policy to reflect above-the-ear opening for sideburns and restrictions on mustache length.
• Eyelash Extensions: Authorization removed unless for medical reasons.
• OCP Shirt Sleeves: Clarified folding instructions.
• Terminology: Replaced "gender" with "sex" (as applicable) and removed references to exceptions due to gender dysphoria.
• Nail Polish: Authorized nail polish restricted to clear, French, or American Manicure only.
• Male Grooming: Clarified clean-shaven requirement at the start of the duty day unless medically or religiously accommodated.
• Hair Standards: Clarified that male hair will not touch the ears.
• "Gig Line": Added definition.

This memorandum becomes void one year after its date or upon publication of an interim change or rewrite of the affected publication, whichever is earlier.

This memorandum supersedes DAFI 36-2903, 7 February 2020, and incorporates changes from DAFGM 2026-01, DAFGM 2025-01, DAFGM 2025-02, DAFGM 2025-03, and DAFGM 2025-04.

This document details changes to dress and personal appearance standards. Vendors should review these changes to ensure compliance if their personnel are subject to these regulations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the salient characteristics for flight attendant uniforms, detailing the physical and essential requirements for the garments. It serves as a specification for potential vendors to understand the product being procured.

• Physical Characteristics: Garments must be sourced outside of China, with a 4-way stretch material preferred (2-way acceptable). The ideal material blend is 55% Nylon, 20% Polyester, and 5% Spandex.
• General Requirements:
  • Primary Function: Provide professional, comfortable uniforms allowing a full range of motion.
  • Material Composition: Adhere to the ideal blend for flexibility and durability.
  • Material Performance: Must have a significant stretch factor.
  • Color Standards: Suits (Blazers, Vests, Pants, Skirts, Dresses) must be Black. Shirts must be White.
  • Care Instructions: Machine washable is preferred.
  • Vendor Warranty: Required for failures at seams or defects.
  • Sizing & Exchanges: Physical location for sizing and exchanges is ideal.
  • Quality Assurance: Vendor must agree to a quality testing period.
• Specific Garment Requirements: Details quantities and specific requirements for Men's and Women's uniforms, including Blazers, Vests, Pants/Slacks, Shirts, Dresses (Women's only), and Crew Neck Sweaters.
• Accessories: Vendors are to propose a line of conservative, professional accessories (belts, shoes, ties, scarves, pearls).
• Functions to be Performed: Describes the duties of an Air Force Flight Attendant, emphasizing safety, service, logistical planning, and professional representation.

This document is crucial for bidders as it defines the exact specifications for the flight attendant uniforms. Vendors must ensure their proposed products meet all listed material, color, quantity, and functional requirements to be considered compliant. The 'Functions to be Performed' section provides context on the operational environment for which the uniforms are intended.