BLUF: All deploying Airmen with a RDD of 1 October 2011, or later are now responsible for providing their own ABUs  

FROM: AFCENT/A1RP

SUBJECT: ABU Uniform Issue at Overseas Contingency Operation (OCO) Locations

Please disseminate to each Unit Deployment Manager (UDM)

1. AFCENT reporting instructions require members to deploy with 4 sets of ABUs if no other uniform has been issued as UoD. Some units have been issuing members ABUs, but now that ABUs will be a required uniform and the BDU will be phased out, issuing ABUs is no longer an option for members deploying with an RDD effective 1 Oct 11 or later. Enlisted members receive a clothing allowance to purchase and maintain uniforms.

2. Currently, AF deploying Airmen are issued up to four sets of ABUs as per the Allowance Standard 016 (AS 016): Special Purpose Clothing and Personal Equipment. This policy is in place because the ABU is required at OCO deployment locations, but is not a mandatory utility uniform yet. However, beginning November 2011, as per the HQ AFPC/DPSOOC Msg dtd 072013Sep07, the ABU becomes the mandatory utility uniform. Subsequently, AS 016 will be
changed to remove the authorization for deploying Airmen to receive ABUs. The operative date for the change will be the deploying Airman's Required Delivery Date (RDD) of 1 October 2011.

3. So as a reminder, all deploying Airmen with a RDD of 1 October 2011, or later are responsible for providing their own ABUs. Policy or processes For exceptions, such as RDD changes, or Guard/Reserve scenarios where ABU issued for Airmen is warranted, will be worked as they are identified over the next few months.

4. Please contact AFCENT/A1P with any questions or concerns at (REMOVED).