Dress, Appearance key to CI success Published Oct. 4, 2011 By Senior Airman Anne Gathua 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- What do first dates, selling a home and interviewing for a job have in common? First impressions. We want to make a positive and lasting impact during important times in our lives, whether it's toward someone we're attracted to, a potential home buyer or a future boss. Great first impressions also make lasting impacts in our daily military life or during evaluations, such as the Compliance Inspection, scheduled for Nov. 14-21. "It's a matter of trust," said Col. William Golladay, 17th Training Wing Vice Commander. "Donning your uniform before you show up in the morning for PT, or report to your workplace, or the classroom is one of the first actions you take every day that you have complete control over in terms of preparation and timing. This one simple action is a basis of trust between military members." Col. Golladay said if you are not wearing your uniform correctly or rendering proper customs and courtesies, then it's easy to have your fellow Airmen question if you are going to do other actions correctly. "They may ask themselves 'I wonder if Airman X is disregarding other Air Force Instructions, such as implementing technical orders correctly or following established tactics, techniques, and procedures'," Col. Golladay said. "Any of these could result in injury or death if not followed properly." The colonel added that if you are unable to complete the simple task of wearing your uniform correctly and following proper customs and courtesies in a training environment now, how will your fellow Airmen be able to trust you implicitly when the time comes for immediate action during combat operations. "Without trust, time and resources are redirected to ensure your tasks are being completed," Col. Golladay said. "Are you going to be that Airman that your fellow Airmen can't trust? It starts with your dress and appearance." Some of the discrepancies that have been noted on both officers and enlisted are: · not wearing hats outdoors · not returning salutes · carrying brown satchel over right shoulder · hands in pockets · wearing hats indoors · mirrored sunglasses · skirt length well above knee · prescription glasses hanging off ABU shirt · carrying unauthorized gym bag and in right hand · prescription glasses on top of head · carrying gym bag over right shoulder · wearing hat indoors · sunglasses hanging off ABU shirt · not saluting officers · ABUs & blues not fitting properly (too tight) · Wearing excessive make up · Standing or walking with hands in pockets · Talking in formation on troop walk · Wearing PT gear with t-shirt not tucked Regardless of your status (officer, enlisted, civilian), it is everyone's responsibility to correct violations. More information on Dress and Appearance will be featured in upcoming Goodfellow Monitor editions. For the latest information, refer to Air Force Instruction 36-2903.
