The Air Force Mess Dress uniform is worn by officers and enlisted personnel attending formal social events, such as a unit’s annual dining-in, Air Force Ball or other official events. It is also commonly worn by military members at weddings or other civilian events in place of other formal attire.

The mess dress jacket is semi-fitted with sleeves ending approximately 1/4 inch from heel of the thumb. It is a single-breasted jacket with a straight back and three Wing and Star buttons diagonally on both sides. The jacket has a front link chain closure with button on each end and features satin collar and lapels.
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The U.S. Army now offers new recruits a $20,000 signing bonus if they’re willing to act quickly. If you sign your enlistment contract and agree to leave home for basic training within a month, you’ll receive a $20,000 bonus to compensate you for acting quickly.

New soldiers accepting the Quick Ship bonus receive an initial $10,000 payment when they successfully complete basic training and advanced training. The remaining $10,000 is divided into equal payments over the course of the contract.

This $20,000 bonus is one of the largest incentives ever paid to new recruits and reflects the Army’s struggle to meet recruiting goals over the past year. It’s quite a motivation for new enlistees, who earn less than $20,000 in a single year, according to the 2007 military pay tables.

Interested in receiving an Army quick ship enlistment bonus? Request more information on enlisting with no obligation.

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The Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) replaces the old Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) as the US Air Force’s standard camouflage uniform and is required for all airmen by 2011.

The uniform, shown at right, replaces the old woodland camouflage pattern with a digitalized pattern of grey, tan and sage green. This new pattern is based upon research designed to decrease the uniform’s profile when viewed in a natural setting. The Air Force removed the color black from the uniform due to the fact that deep black colors rarely appear in natural environments and it is highly visible to users of night vision goggles.

The uniform is available through Air Force supply channels, or anyone can purchase Airman Battle Uniforms (ABUs) online without military identification.

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The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) replaces the old Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) as the US Army’s standard camouflage uniform and is required for all soldiers by December 2007.

The uniform, shown at right, replaces the old woodland camouflage pattern with a digitalized pattern of grey, tan and sage green. This new pattern is based upon research designed to decrease the uniform’s profile when viewed in a natural setting. The Army removed the color black from the uniform due to the fact that deep black colors rarely appear in natural environments and it is highly visible to users of night vision goggles.

The uniform is available through Army supply channels, or anyone can purchase Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs) online without military identification.

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The Air Force Mess Dress uniform is worn by officers and enlisted personnel attending formal social events, such as a unit’s annual dining-in, Air Force Ball or other official events. It is also commonly worn by military members at weddings or other civilian events in place of other formal attire.

The mess dress jacket is semi-fitted with sleeves ending approximately 1/4 inch from heel of the thumb. It is a single-breasted jacket with a straight back and three Wing and Star buttons diagonally on both sides. The jacket has a front link chain closure with button on each end and features satin collar and lapels.
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Air Force ROTC offers many college students the opportunity to receive a traditional college education under either full or partial government scholarship, in exchange for future military service. Scholarships are available to many of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities to students studying in a variety of academic programs.

Scholarships for High School Students

If you are currently in high school, you may apply for a scholarship online. The Air Force scholarships currently available to high school seniors are:

• Type 1 Scholarships - These four-year scholarships pay full tuition along with most fees and a $750 annual book allowance. They are very limited (approximately 5% of scholarship awardees receive a Type 2 scholarship) and are usually awarded to students studying engineering, chemistry or meteorology.

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Many businesses and organizations offer discounts to members of the military on attractions, merchandise and services. These organizations recognize the sacrifice made by men and women in uniform and pay tribute to that service by offering reduced/discounted prices or free benefits to military personnel. These pages provide a listing of some of the best military discounts we’ve found. If you’d like to add one to the page, please send it via e-mail to mike@plainfacts.net.

• Military Car/Automobile Discounts


• Military Cell Phone Discounts


• Military Hotel and Motel Discounts

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AFI 33-202 is the basic Air Force directive for computer and network security. Compliance
ensures appropriate measures are taken to protect all Air Force information system resources and information effectively and efficiently. Appropriate levels of protection against threats and vulnerabilities for information systems prevent denial of service, corruption, compromise, fraud, waste, and abuse.

AFI 33-202 applies to all information systems, including information system components of weapon systems, information systems that provide the management infrastructure and connections among other information systems, and networks that are used to process, store, display, transmit or protect DoD information, regardless of classification or sensitivity.
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AFI 21-101 is the basic Air Force directive for aircraft and equipment maintenance management. It provides the minimum essential guidance and procedures for safely and effectively maintaining, servicing, and repairing aircraft and support equipment. It acknowledges the foundational contributions made to Agile Combat Support (ACS) capabilities of Generating the Mission, and Supporting and Sustaining the Mission, Forces, and Infrastructure. It applies to all major commands (MAJCOMs), including the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and the Air National Guard (ANG), along with their subordinates.
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AFI 31-101 is the basic Air Force directive for installation security. It sets out the security standards and requirements for all Air Force Bases located in the United States and overseas. AFI 31-101 includes requirements for fences, armed guards, vehicle/personnel inspections and other security requirements.
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