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The Department of the Air Force has issued implementation guidance covering two uniform updates: a change to how Chaplain Corps personnel display insignia on operational uniforms, and the formal introduction of an Air Force maternity wrap dress for pregnant Airmen.
Under the new policy, chaplains will display their chaplain insignia in place of officer rank on the chest of the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform, as well as on the patrol cap, tactical cap and outer garments. Service dress requirements for chaplains are unchanged. The update follows a March 2026 announcement by the Department of War.
Customs and courtesies remain in effect in line with DAF Instruction 90-1201. When rank cannot be determined visually, officers are expected to exchange salutes and greetings as a matter of standard practice. Enlisted Airmen and NCOs will continue to initiate salutes to chaplains based on the chaplain insignia, regardless of the officer’s grade. Day-to-day familiarity within units is expected to guide interactions when members already know a chaplain’s grade, and rank can be established through introductions or by using the chaplain’s rank or title when required for protocol.
The guidance also authorizes the Air Force maternity wrap dress for wear as the equivalent of mess dress, semi-formal and Class A uniforms. The mandatory wear date is set for July 2030. Name tags are not permitted with the mess or semi-formal configurations; a metal engraved name tag is required for the Class A equivalent.
The wrap dress is already available at some stateside Army and Air Force Exchange Service locations, with all stateside stores expected to have stock by the end of the month and overseas stores to follow in the next few months. Online sales through the AAFES website are expected soon.
Space Force Guardians are not authorized to wear the Air Force maternity wrap dress and will continue to use the Air Force jumper in accordance with SPFI 36-2903. A new Space Force maternity uniform is in prototype testing and is planned for availability in 2027.
CAC-enabled Airmen and Guardians can access detailed policy documents on MyFSS under Chaplain OCP Uniform Reform and Air Force Maternity Wrap Dress Guidance.
