1/10/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- Airmen will soon have a new avenue to make suggestions for Air Force uniform design and wear. This spring, the Air Force plans to bring online a new Web tool called "eUniform." The site will allow Airmen to submit their suggestions about uniform issues directly to Air Force Uniform Board members.
(Media-Newswire.com) - by Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez Air Force Print News
"This is really an effort to simplify the uniform board and suggestion process," said Capt. Patrick Barger, with the Air Force uniforms programs branch. "This will allow the Air Force to save money, and at the same time, make the uniform-board process more accessible to all Airmen."
Sometime around March or April, Airmen will be able to log in to the eUniform Web site through the Air Force Portal. After inputting information such as their name and unit, they can enter in detail their suggestions for uniform design and policy changes. Their suggestions must meet the approval of both their base and major command uniform-board representatives. If the suggestions clear those hurdles, they will go before the Air Force Uniform Board.
"Using the eUniform Web site will allow leadership to get a better sampling of how Airmen feel about the uniform and Air Force wear policies," Captain Barger said. "We think Airmen are more likely to log in to this Web site to share their ideas than they are to participate in a conventional, paper-based suggestion process."
The eUniform site does more than just collect, collate and archive every uniform suggestion made by Airmen. The site also allows members of the uniform board to collaborate virtually when deciding what suggestions will be submitted for review to the Air Force chief of staff.
The Air Force Uniform Board typically includes a representative from each of the major commands, experts in uniform wear and design, members of the Headquarters Air Force personnel community, and the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. In the past, those members would meet in Washington, D.C., to discuss and approve or disapprove uniform changes that had been submitted.
"Requiring the uniform board members fly to Washington was actually very costly," Captain Barger said. "That cost, coupled with the time factor and inconvenience to board members, slowed down the review process and also limited the number of uniform boards held each year."
The eUniform software allows board members to collaborate online, meaning they don't have to fly to Washington to make decisions. Instead, board members can spend a few days at the convenience of their schedules, a few times a year, reviewing, commenting on and ultimately making decisions about uniform suggestions.
"They don't need to come to the Pentagon anymore," Captain Barger said. "Now board members can do online from the comfort of a familiar environment all the things they used to do in person at the Pentagon. This will save both money and time."
Captain Barger said the time saved will eventually allow the Air Force to convene multiple uniform boards each year.
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