Cadet ABU

The Cadet Airman Battle Uniform (ABU)

The cadet ABU is the first Air Force style uniform that cadets wear. Cadets should strive to get this uniform as soon as possible, because it is the accepted uniform for a lot of activities in Civil Air Patrol both within the squadron and outside of the squadron. The ABU is known in the military as a work, field, or "utility" uniform, in fact some veterans might refer to them as "fatigues" or "utilities" just know that they're talking about the same thing! While we're on military terms, when wearing ABUs and working in warm conditions you may hear the term "de-blouse" this does not mean anything lewd. An ABU top, what some might refer to as a coat or jacket, is often referred to as a blouse -- therefore, to de-blouse simply means remove the blouse so that you can be more comfortable in a tee shirt.

Alright, so what makes up the cadet ABU? 

• ABU Patrol Cap (PC)

  • Cadet enlisted and NCOs wear no rank on the front

  • Cadet officers wear sewn on embroidered cloth rank

• ABU Blouse

  • Cadet airman and NCOs wear metal ranks on their collars

  • Cadet officers wear sewn on embroidered cloth ranks on their collars

  • All will wear sewn on "tapes" of light silver block lettering on dark blue background

    • "CIVIL AIR PATROL" above the left breast pocket flap

    • "LAST NAME" above the right breast pocket flap

  • Squadron patch (when the new design is approved) will be sewn on centered upon the right breast pocket

  • The ABU blouse should be unwrinkled, clean, and free of stains

  • The collar of the ABU should be ironed such that it lays flat against the chest when worn

• Squadron Tee Shirt

  • or Solid sand colored tee shirt

  • or Sand colored tee shirt from any CAWG training school

  • Tee shirts should be unwrinkled, clean, and free of stains

  • Tee Shirts will be tucked into ABU trousers

• Rigger's Belt

  • Sand in color

• ABU Trousers

  • ABU trousers should be unwrinkled, clean and free of stains

  • All pockets should be buttoned closed 

  • Pockets should not contain bulky items 

  • Pant legs need to be bloused

• Black Boots

  • Black socks (that are higher than the top of the boot and the more cushioned the better)

  • Boot laces will be tucked in

  • Boots will be polished

  • more on boots here: ABU Boots

 A word of caution. There are a lot of "coyote" colored items out on the market. Coyote is not the same as sand, it is a much more brown color; coyote goes the OCP family of uniforms, while sand went with ABUs and UCP variant of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU).

And for what to wear when it gets cooler or the weather becomes inclement, go here: ABU Outerwear