New uniform, new rules Published Dec. 7, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel 56 Fighter Wing Public Affairs Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. -- "This isn't your father's uniform;" that's what some may say about the new Air Force uniform recently put into distribution. The new Airman Battle Uniform was designed to save people money and time. It's a wash-and-wear uniform with a mandatory wear date of October 2011. "We were looking for a uniform that would be easier to maintain," said Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice, former Director of Airman Development and Sustainment in a March 2006 Air Force News story. "We wanted to provide a uniform that the Airman wouldn't need to spend a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to maintain." As more Airmen at Luke purchase and wear the ABU, it is important for everyone to know and enforce the proper wearing guidelines, said Senior Master Sgt. James Robertson, 56th Operations Group first sergeant. "Properly wearing the ABU reinforces our core values while making a statement of pride to the American public," he said. ABU updates to AFI 36-2903 are now in effect. Airmen who are unsure or have any questions can visit the Air Force Uniform and Recognition Program on the Air Force Portal. Some things to remember about the ABU: Do: Wash and wear Press stripes (optional) before they are sewn on, but do not starch Wear green socks with sage boots, black or green with tan boots Wear the new ABU hat Don't: Wear unit patches or hats (except security forces) Wear black boots Starch or hot press Use optical brighteners Wear while flying commercially (except deployments) Dry clean