As reported by the AirForce Times on 23 July 2020, the Air Force is modifying its Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform to make the nametapes and rank insignia easier to read and identify.
The current nametapes, service tapes, badges, and rank insignia’s background match with the uniform’s 7-color pattern. The design was recently opted for in 2018.
However, due to the feedback received, the Air Force is switching to a 3-color background for the nametapes and rank insignias.
While the background will be changed from 7 to 3-colored one, the lettering on the name and service tapes for the Air Force will still have spice-brown stitching. The same applies to the stitching on the rank insignia and badges.
The Air Force military force management policy deputy director, Lisa Truesdale, stated in a release, “we received significant feedback that prompted this update. The current rank insignia, badges, name, and service tapes on the OCP uniform are sometimes challenging to see against a seven-color background. Simplifying these features on a lighter, three-color pattern — while not compromising the overall functionality of the uniform — will improve our situational awareness in day-to-day interactions.”
Even though the OCP is more popular than its predecessor, the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), the visibility and placement of the rank insignia suffered. The ABU, worn by enlisted airmen had large and legible rank insignia on the upper part of each sleeve.
Post the transition, the OCP shifted the rank insignia to a single and smaller rank insignia located in the middle of the chest. This placement made it tricky to decipher the number of chevrons. The number of chevrons is required to identify an official’s rank.
The Air Force Academy has already started adopting the updated background color pattern for the cadets of the incoming class of 2024. The incoming airmen arriving at basic military training will receive it in October.
The Defense Logistics Agency began placing orders for the new pattern, which will be in inventory by November, this year.
While the old seven-colored background pattern is phased out, it will still be authorized to wear, as confirmed by the Air Force.
