The sixth and newest branch of the United States military was officially created nearly five years ago, and the role of the United States Space Force is still evolving. So too are its uniforms.
The service’s dress uniforms aren’t expected to be widely available to Guardians until at least the end of 2025, despite being introduced in 2021. When the first prototypes were unveiled, the short navy blue jacket with a large flap over the right breast and a diagonal line of six silver buttons earned comparisons to uniforms from science fiction.
Asymmetry and metallic elements have been a staple of sci-fi since the days of Flash Gordon, but others saw the off-center, angled jackets as similar to those from Battlestar Galactica and even to the Imperial uniforms from Star Wars.
However, such uniforms have a tradition not in a galaxy far away but in our not-so-distant past. General George S. Patton designed a tanker uniform in the 1930s that included an off-center, angled jacket. It isn’t clear if Patton’s “Green Hornet” design – as it became known – influenced the Space Force dress uniform, but we could probably assume Patton wasn’t inspired by the Hollywood serials of the day. Rather he was simply offering a new take on cavalry dress uniforms of the 19th century.
Since receiving initial feedback, the Space Force began “wear-testing” the dress uniforms at eight installations: Camp Smith, NY; Cavalier Space Force Station, ND; Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX; Kirtland Air Force Base, NM; Lackland Air Force Base, TX; Landstuhl Air Base, Germany; Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA; and Yokota Air Base, Japan.
According to Military.com, fit testing has focused on durability, and that has resulted in alternations to the uniform’s height and construction of the coat collar. To date, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – suggesting that Guardians may like to look like those from the world of sci-fi!
Those wanting the future-looking uniforms will have to wait a while – as noted, until late next year.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army has adopted retro-looking uniforms that are meant to evoke the “pink and greens” that servicemembers wore in the Second World War.
New Training Uniforms Coming
Earlier this year the Space Force also began to roll out its Physical Training Uniform, which was provided to the newest Basic Military Training Guardians. These aren’t particularly high-tech in appearance but are still more advanced than what some service members may have worn even a generation ago.
“The new uniform now includes performance features such as breathable, moisture-wicking shorts designed for running, and soft, quick-drying material to help curb sweat and odor. The uniforms will be available in both men’s and women’s sizes, rather than unisex, for a better fit,” the service announced in March.
The rollout of the PT uniform has been seen as a significant step for the youngest military branch as it continues to build its culture and identity.
“From the word ‘go’ we have been committed to keeping Guardian feedback at the forefront of developing service-specific uniforms,” Catherine Lovelady, Space Force change management team program analyst, said in a statement earlier this year. “We are grateful to our partners at the Air Force Uniform Office who helped make this a reality for Guardians.”
The PT uniforms have been rolled out this year at Peterson, Schriever, Buckley, Vandenberg, and Patrick Space Force Bases, Los Angeles Air Force Base, and the Pentagon. Guardians will continue to employ the same instructions as the U.S. Air Force physical training uniform utilizing DAFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel, until a standalone Space Force Instruction for Dress and Appearance is released later this year.
The service also announced that the PT uniform cost will be calculated into the Guardian uniform replacement allowance beginning April 2024.
Optional Uniforms
A planned Space Force pullover sweater is also reported to be in the works, but it is unclear when it will arrive along with other option uniforms for the service’s Guardians.
The future is coming, much like the Space Force’s dress uniforms, but it just isn’t quite here.
