Officials may still consider Mitchell uniform for future use - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Officials may still consider Mitchell uniform for future use

The World War I-era uniform prototype — with its tight mandarin collar — beat the pants off the World War II-era “Hap” Arnold model coat in an Air Force Times informal poll in June. However, it didn’t make the cut when leaders selected a new service dress.

But that doesn’t mean leaders don’t like it, or that you might not see it in the future.

“Not insignificant numbers of people, when you put them in a room, think it’s the best-looking uniform,” said Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. “It’s a very sharp-looking uniform.”

The prototype was named for Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell, the World War I veteran and early proponent of air power. Uniforms of that era featured tall collars similar to those that still adorn the Marine Corps’ traditional dress blue uniform.

But when push came to shove, Brady said, the limitations of the Billy Mitchell coat were too severe.

“As it turns out,” Brady said, “it’s not terribly practical for everyday wear because it has a very close neck. It’s very tailored.”

Brady said he tried to wear a shirt and tie under the uniform. It was simply too tight. That would present problems when an airman wanted to take off his jacket during the day.

But the Mitchell uniform may not go away for good.

Leaders say they are considering introducing a parade uniform sometime in the future, which would be more formal than the service dress but less formal than the mess dress, the Air Force’s version of a tuxedo.

The Mitchell uniform, with its more formal look, might fit the bill.

“Is there a role for that Mitchell uniform as a parade uniform?” Brady said. “There may be.”

It’s too early to tell whether or when that may happen, but Billy Mitchell may not have flown off into the sunset just yet.

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Pick up the March 26 issue of Air Force Times, on newsstands now.

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