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Letters: No uniform answer, but lots of opinions

The overwhelming negative reaction to the new uniform proposed by Air Force leaders is troubling [“Uniform dislike,” May 28]. The leaders are out of touch with their followers. When I was issued my first Air Force uniform in ROTC in 1965, I was told that it was the same uniform worn by Army officers, but it was distinctive Air Force blue and reflected the Air Force roots as well as the independent nature of the service. It made sense then and still does. Why not put the Army in charge of the service dress uniform program — just make ours in blue — and release all the people working on this to do something important.

Col. Michael R. Gallagher (ret.)

Hillsboro, Ore.

In Air Force Times’ cover story about uniforms, the newspaper admits that it was not a scientific study, so “its results should not be construed as an exact reflection of how all airmen feel.” This statement and the prominence of this article as that week’s cover story imply that, though it is not exact, it might still have validity as being close to fact.

Let me clarify to all, using statistics 101, what the lack of scientific methods really means. It means Air Force Times did not have a random sampling. It means the newspaper compiled answers from only those who were moved enough to write in. Finally, it means one can conclude absolutely nothing from these numbers. Data are not sort-of suggestive of the Air Force’s feelings, or likely, or close. They are absolutely useless. It would be pure, wild speculation to conclude anything from this article. Therefore, I can suggest an alternative and possibly wildly speculative theory that the 850 or so people who hated this uniform in the “survey” may be the only 850 people in the whole Air Force who hate the uniform. By extension, the rest of the Air Force could be deliriously happy about it. Seriously, if Air Force Times is going to scrimp on science, don’t make it a cover story.

1st Lt. Scott Drylie

Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

As a civilian with a son at the Air Force Academy, to whom at the Air Force can I send my utmost displeasure at the new proposed uniforms? They remind me, and I cringe, of old-world European style — pardon me, “Gestapo-esque” — uniforms that conjure negative images. Was that politically correct enough?

I received a link to Air Force Times’ Web site via other parents of cadets. I can’t imagine seeing my son in the new proposed uniform. It brings back memories of bomb drills under my classroom desk as an elementary school student. No kidding. I am serious.

Beverly Haugseth

Houston

I noticed in the May 28 issue that a majority of readers did not like the proposed new uniform.

Nothing’s wrong with the cut of the uniform, in fact it is quite nice, and four buttons conform to the international military standard.

I have long been embarrassed that the shirt shows above the web belt on our honor guard, but the sewed-on belt is the big issue. It looks awful on women.

In the old days we had no women in the Air Force; they were in the Women’s Army Corps and had their own uniform. At that time, the majority of the male members were under age 30 and still had their lean figures, so the belt was not a problem. Get rid of the belt and we have a winner.

Maj. Taylor McKinnon (ret.)

San Bernardino, Calif.

The “new” uniform looks awful, but that doesn’t matter to our leadership.

They’re going to ram it down our throats, then claim the troops have a bad attitude and bad morale because they won’t like it.

Thank goodness I’ll be retired before then, with the current uniform, which looks great.

Maj. Richard Daigle

Bristow, Va.