Supply chain disruptions, namely fabric shortages and labor issues, will prevent some Air Force and Space Force members from receiving a full set of uniform items next year.
New Air Force members typically receive two long-sleeve and short-sleeve dress blue uniform shirts, and three pairs of pants for men and two pairs of slacks for women.
According to Stars and Stripes, though, graduates will now receive one long-sleeve and one short-sleeve shirt, and one pair of slacks or trousers starting November 2022.
Basic military training graduates will receive two dress blue uniform shirts and one pair of slacks or trousers starting in November 2022, the Air Force said https://t.co/yYhS0BhCuY
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 22, 2021
The Air Force reportedly said in a statement that it will rectify the issue by adding more to paychecks, so graduates can purchase the missing pieces separately from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service once they arrive at their next destination.
This has happened before to branches of the U.S. military. The Coast Guard dealt with a shortage of dress uniforms due to COVID outbreaks in its Puerto Rico factories in spring of 2020.
The Air Force sources its worsted and poly-wool dress fabrics from Burlington Industries, a division of International Textile Group, based in Charlotte.
