Uniforms

Overview

Civil Air Patrol uniforms provide members with a professional image and appropriate work garment to be worn depending on a number of situational factors. 

CAP Regulation 39-1 Civil Air Patrol Uniform Regulation prescribes the compliance standards for the proper wear of CAP uniforms. Proper compliance includes: 

• Wear of appropriate uniform items and accessories

• Wear of additional non-uniform items with CAP uniforms (i.e., jewelry, makeup, etc.)

• Wear of awards and decorations on CAP uniforms

• Adherence to weight standards 

• Adherence to grooming standards (i.e., haircuts, hair styles, shaving, etc.)

NOTE:  Compliance with this regulation is mandatory for all CAP members. The details found on the OH-219 squadron website are intended to provide members with additional guidance to properly wear CAP uniforms and are not intended to deviate from the regulation. 

 

Uniform Style Classifications

Air Force-Style Uniforms

USAF-style uniforms are based on the U.S. Air Force's working and service uniforms. These include: 

Dress Uniforms:

• Mess Dress

• Semi-Formal Dress

• Service Dress (Class A)

• Service Uniform (Class B)

Working (Utility) Uniform:

• Airman Battle Uniform (ABU)

 

Wear of Air Force-style uniforms is a privilege for CAP members, as the U.S. Air Force has granted authorization for qualifying members to wear these uniforms, to include: 

• Cadet members under the age of 18 years

• Cadet members over the age of 18 years who meet weight standards

• Senior members who meet weight and grooming standards

 

Corporate-Style Uniforms

CAP has designed a series of distinctive uniform combinations unique to the organization to maintain a professional corporate image for those who choose not to or otherwise do not qualify to wear the Air Force-style uniform. These uniforms include: 

Dress Uniforms:

• Semi-Formal Uniform

• Service Dress

• Aviator Shirt Uniform

Working (Utility) Uniforms:

• Corporate-Style Battle Dress Uniform ("Blue BDU")

• CAP Corporate Working Uniform (CWU) polo/golf shirt combination

 

Wear of corporate-style uniforms is authorized for: 

• All senior members

• Retired members (criteria outlined in CAPR 39-1, Chapter 12)

• Cadet Sponsor Members (criteria outlined in CAPR 39-1, Chapter 12)

• Cadets over the age of 18 years who do not meet weight standards (NOTE:  Adherence to Air Force-style uniform grooming standards is still required for all cadets regardless of uniform worn)

 

Conditions for Wear of Uniform Variations

The uniform worn for an event—often referred to as the "Uniform of the Day (UOD)"—is dependent on the activities that participants will be expected to conduct. The activity director/leader will determine which uniform is appropriate for members to wear at the event in order to maximize the professionalism, work quality, and safety of participants. 

The tables below provide general guidance as to the selection of the appropriate uniform to be worn for certain events/activities:

Uniform Combination	Purpose	Air Force-Style Uniform	Corporate-Style Uniform	Civilian Equivalent
Mess Dress	Formal occasion	Mess, worn by senior member officers and non-commissioned officers	None	Males:  Tuxedo Females:  Evening gown
Semi-Formal Dress	Formal occasion	Semi-formal variation of Class A, worn by cadets	Semi-formal variation of Service Dress Uniform	Males:  Tuxedo/black-tie suit with jacket Females:  Evening gown/cocktail dress
Service Dress	Business function	Class A	Service Dress Uniform	Males: Suit with jacket Females: Pantsuit; blazer with skirt
Service Uniform	Business casual	Class B	Aviation Shirt	Males: Button-down shirt Females: Collared shirt; blouse
Working/Utility	Field operations	Airman Battle Uniform	Corporate Working Uniform	Jeans/workpants and work shirt
Working/Utility	Day-to-day (office; training)	Airman Battle Uniform	Polo/Golf Shirt	Jeans/workpants and polo

 

Occasion/Activity	Appropriate Uniform(s)
Wedding	Mess Dress / Semi-Formal
Banquet	Mess Dress / Semi-Formal Service Dress (for lesser formality)
"Awards Night"	Service Dress
Graduation ceremony	Service Dress
Funeral	Service Dress
Business meeting (office)	Service Dress
Business meeting (casual)	Service (Class B) / Aviator Shirt Corporate Polo (for lesser formality)
Office work detail (with non-operations detail)	Service Class B / Aviator Shirt Corporate Polo (for lesser formality)
Office work detail (with operations duties)	Airman Battle Uniform / Corporate Battle Dress Uniform / Corporate Polo (tactical configuration)
Field training	Airman Battle Uniform / Corporate Battle Dress Uniform

 

 

NOTE:  In cases wear dress uniforms are worn, it is not uncommon for members to not have a "high dress level" of a particular uniform (e.g., a member may own a Class B Air Force-style uniform but does not possess a Class A Air Force-style uniform). In these instances, members are usually instructed to wear the "next level down."