Due to a shortage of fabric used to manufacture service dress uniforms, Airmen and Guardians graduating from basic military training will temporarily be issued fewer uniform items.
This proactive measure will allow Airmen and Guardians to have, at minimum, one full set of service dress while Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support works with the manufacturer to restore full production.
This fabric shortage will also affect the supply of service dress items across the Department of the Air Force, however BMT recruits have priority.
Men and women are normally issued two short sleeve blue shirts and two long sleeve blue shirts at BMT. Additionally, men are normally issued three pairs of trousers and women two pairs of slacks. Starting in November, some service members will only be issued one each of those items.
To make sure service members eventually receive their full uniform complement, the DAF will provide the affected active duty BMT graduates a cash allowance in their pay check to buy the missing uniform items as available from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service when they arrive at their next duty station or school. Air Reserve Component graduates will be issued missing items after arrival at their home unit, upon availability.
Burlington Industries is the sole U.S. supplier of approved worsted and poly-wool dress fabric used in all military services' dress uniforms. The continued shortage in the fabric supply as a result of labor challenges and increased material cost is anticipated to have a greater impact on the production and availability of dress uniforms starting in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022.
