Page 12 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, Oct 5 2018

12 October 2018 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
When can I get my OCPs?
Thunderbolt http://www.luke.af.mil
‘Rock rules’ imperative
The rock* rests quietly on the north side of the 56th Fighter Wing Headquarters, Bldg. 452, and is ready for all challenges.
1. The 56th Fighter Wing com- mander (Luke 1) is the owner of the rock.
2. Luke 1 delegates care and painting of the rock to any unit (group, squadron, flight, section, unit, or training class) with the following stipulations:
• It must be professional – Luke 1’s rock has a proud heritage. DO NOT EMBArrASS THE rOCK Or THE THUN- DErBOLTS.
• The Rock is to be painted in such a way as to clearly represent the group, squadron, flight, section, unit, or training class who has chosen to care for the rock.
• Colors that stand out are highly encouraged, but camou- flage painting is also acceptable.
• When the Rock is freshly cared for (recently painted), it must be allowed to cure for a minimum of two weeks as long as the current design is appropriate in nature.
• Training classes are not permitted to paint the rock until each member of the class has passed the first significant mile- stone (i.e., a major course test; B-course students have soloed, etc.). Because of this restriction, when the rock has been painted by a training class, the rock will be allowed three weeks to cure.
a 3. If a
unit re-
-
paints th h
e e
rock be-
fore the
rock has
properly
cured as
stated
above, the offend-
ing unit will be responsible for returning the rock to the previ- ous design (within 56 hours).
4. Delegations that paint the rock are not to be caught by the 56th Security Forces Squadron patrol (SFS patrol sees the group painting the rock).
• If caught, the SFS patrol will notify the 56th SFS com- mander or DO and then resume duties; the only question asked by the patrol will be what unit the delegation is representing. The group can complete the painting of the rock after they have been caught by SFS.
• The commander of the unit caught painting the rock will (within 56 business hours of being caught) report to all SFS shift changes (Guard Mount) during a day to thank SFS for their hard work and explain how SFS helps their unit. Contact SFS Ops at 623-856-7062/4172 to determine the day’s shift schedules.
*The Rock is defined as the two large rocks that are currently painted. Do not include the mul- tiple smaller rocks in the area.
d
by Staff Sgt. MATTHEW COLEMAN-FOSTER
50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The of- ficial wear date for the operational camouflage pattern uniform is Oct. 1.
Some Airmen preparing to deploy, or who have de- ployed previously and those who have been assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command or Air Force Global Strike Command may already have these uni- forms. Others have already purchased OCPs to make sure they are ready come the first week of October.
However, there is a caveat attached to the wear date.
James Mesco, historian with the 50th Space Wing, has been coordinating with the Air Force Space Command historian’s office to clear official uniform patches.
Air Staff Manpower and Personnel, A1, is the authority in ensuring the process is executed.
“AFSPC needs a policy letter and/or a revised major command version of AFI 36-2903,” Mesco said. “The his- torian’s offices support the wing, groups and squadrons with the appropriate data on their specific emblem once we receive the OCP conversion information through the Institute of Heraldry and the Air Force Historical research Agency.”
In the conversion process, all Air Force heraldry will be examined to figure out the best way to convert the colors of the current emblems into a configuration meeting the OCP color scheme.
Once Headquarters Air Force Manpower and Person- nel pays for the conversion, anticipated to be within fis- cal year 2019 around on or about Oct. 1, production will
begin of the approved patches. This process alone could take a considerable amount of time, according to Mesco. “The conversion process at TIOH will take between six to nine months and the release will be all at once. HAF/ A1 will not release them as TIOH completes the action,” Mesco said. “For some units without heraldry or requir-
ing updates, it may take a little longer.”
Another challenge in the transition is the uniform
itself, since OCPs have been part of the Air Force’s in- ventory since 2012.
Master Sgt. Kathy Blake, superintendent with the 50th Comptroller Squadron, explained manufacturers cannot produce enough OCPs for every Airman to pur- chase right away.
“Even though they are authorized to wear Oct. 1, every- one has not been given the opportunity to own the OCP uniform,” Blake said. “We are all excited for the change and have been given a long three year transition period.”
Mesco cautioned purchasing accouterments and uni- form sets until local guidance is issued.
“Until proper guidance is given, individuals could end up spending unit or personnel funds improperly,” he said. Mesco said the biggest thing to remember is wearing the new uniform Oct. 1 is an option, not a mandate. The wear of the uniform is not mandatory until April 1, 2021. “Be patient,” Blake said. “Approved wearing of the OCP is a step in the right direction in maintaining a single combat utility uniform, bringing back unit patches and most importantly it is giving the Airmen what they have
been asking for.”
To view the most current guidance for the OCPs, visit:
https://www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/Dress-and- Appearance/.
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