Goodbye BDUs

Anyone wearing the old Battle Dress Uniform after Tuesday will officially be breaking regulation. The Air Force has retired the Cold War-era uniform, which was originally designed primarily for wear around Europe. In addition, USAF retired the desert camouflage uniform, black t-shirt, black combat boots, and tan boots (that were worn with the new Airman Battle Uniform). The new ABU, introduced in 2006, sports a wash-and-hang-dry design, unlike the BDU which most airmen had dry-cleaned. The boots for the ABU do not need to be polished; they are sage green, full-grain leather boot with rubber heel and toe reinforcements, according to a release. The uniform change was originally slated to go in to effect Oct. 1, but was delayed to Nov. 1. It applies to all Air Force components.