HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials announced that the Hanscom-based Military Clothing store would begin selling the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform, also known as OCPs, to Airmen assigned here Jul.11.
The store will only sell the OCP uniforms during normal operating hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“Initial purchases are only open to Airmen assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base,” said Phillip L. Capshaw, Hanscom Consolidated Exchange general manager. “In addition, purchases will be limited to two uniforms per assigned Airman during the initial rollout.”
Personnel are able to order name tapes through the Hanscom Military Clothing store. The store has also begun selling T-shirts, belts, hats and steel toe and hot weather boots.
The uniform replaces the Airman Battle Uniform, also known as ABU.
According to Capshaw, Military Clothing stores are the only source for government-certified, authentic OCP uniforms.
In May 2018, Air Force leaders decided to transition to the OCP following feedback from Airmen that it is the best, battle-tested utility uniform available. It will also eliminate the need to maintain two separate uniforms – one for in-garrison and one for deployments.
The Air Force will issue OCP uniforms to personnel attending Basic Military Training, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Training School starting this fall.
The service expects to fully transition to OCPs by April 2021.
As the Air Force transitions to the OCP uniform, there is a focus on emblems and patches.
For more information, Airmen should view Air Force Guidance Memorandum 2019-01 and check Air Force Instruction 36-2903 for updates, which are available on the public website of the Air Force’s Personnel Center at https://www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/Dress-and-Appearance/.
(Editor's note: This story has been updated from an earlier version.)