Air Force Community - Air Force Times

Letters: Uniform policy unfair to Reserve technicians

How immature it is for Air Force Reserve Command to force nonbargaining unit Air Reserve technicians to wear their military uniform while on civilian status [“Reserve techs object to wearing uniform,” Aug. 20].

Why can’t they wait until the issue is fully resolved commandwide? Now we have half the ARTs wearing uniforms and the other half in civilian attire. If Reserve Command is trying to force the remaining ARTs to succumb under peer pressure to wear their uniforms, it’s not going to work. We are adamant when we say that military uniforms are not appropriate in civilian status. Seems like the command doesn’t practice what it preaches: “One Air Force, same fight — an unrivaled wingman.”

Master Sgt. Steven Parsons

Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.

Air Force Reserve Command’s attempt to mandate the wearing of uniforms by Air Reserve technicians while performing their civilian duties is wrong. The Reserve Command’s primary rationale for this has been to have “a daily reminder [for all ARTs] of good order and discipline.” As an ART of 10 years, I am insulted by the accusation, as each and every ART should be, that our ability to be disciplined and act in good order is directly influenced by the clothing we wear. Is the command saying their ART work force prior to this mandate has been an undisciplined bunch?

The incentive for Reserve Command seems to be that officials would like total control of their work force without paying the bill to do it. There are many reasons why the personnel who make up the ranks of the ART community are no longer, or never have been, an active-duty member; one of those reasons is having to be dictated to, which is what this mandate amounts to. This policy will do no favors for the command’s retention and recruitment efforts. I hope the command considered this prior to the implementation of this extremely unpopular policy.

I emphatically agree with the statement in Air Force Times’ editorial [“No uniforms for civilians,” Aug. 20]: The new policy should be repealed.

Senior Master Sgt. Dean E. Kousek

Fort Worth, Texas