The Space Force’s service uniform proved to be a hit with Guardians – not to mention “off the charts” with younger Guardians – said Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond.
After unveiling the prototype in September 2021 at AFA’s Air Space & Cyber Conference, the uniforms went “on the road to pretty much every installation that had Guardians” Raymond said in an interview with Air Force Magazine at the Space Symposium in Colorado, April 6.
The new uniforms were favored by 81% of the Guardians during the roadshow.
“If you get 81% on anything, it’s a home run.” – said Raymond.
The roadshows, along with the inputs post rollout, resulted in refinements to the original fit and collar designs. An enlisted Guardian donned the uniform at the symposium whose pants were fitting more slimly as compared to the loose pants in the initial prototype.
Raymond was still wearing his “spaced up” air force uniform and they bore buttons with the Space Force’s Delta symbol for the first time this week. He further added that the Guardians will be able to wear the Space Force’s hexagonal nameplates till they get their new uniforms.
With the designs approved, the uniforms will now be taken over the wear & color testers before it goes into production. However, supply chain disruptions and fabric scarcity may prolong the manufacturing process.
“By law, everything that is on a uniform has to be made in the United States, and there are only two fabric companies in the United States that we can use,” he explained. “The supply chain issues due to COVID have really put that industry in a bit of a bind. So we’re accelerating as fast as we can,” Raymond said.
The uniform was the service’s top clothing priority, said Space Force Change Management Team Director Col. James Jenkins in an earlier statement about the uniform development, “as it’s very important to us culturally, to get out front and talk to Guardians.”
The distinguishing facets of the new uniform are the symbols such as the Space Force’s Delta logo, a standing collar on the dark blue – nearly black – jacket, and a row of six buttons representing the six divisions of the US Armed Forces.
