Here is the latest rumor regarding the wear of the OCPs at OTS. I put out a request to the current class Facebook groups for Det 12 (TFOT 19-01) and the 24 TRS (TFOT 19-02) and it sounds like the current leadership has authorized OCPs effective 1 October 2018. This actually doesn’t surprise me. Air Force leadership has laid out a comprehensive plan for the roll-out of the OCP uniform so the only reason they would not be authorized at OTS is if one of the subordinate commanders decided to do their own thing. If I had to guess, this decision would come from the AETC commander or the Commandant at OTS. There is really no good reason for them to do their own thing so defaulting to Air Force-level direction completely makes sense to me.
Just because they are authorized doesn’t mean you have to wear them. On 1 October 2018 you are authorized to wear them if you have them. If you don’t have them, you are only authorized to buy them at AAFES if you are stationed at Aviano AB, Charleston AFB, Shaw AFB, and MacDill AFB. This rule is meant to protect the supply for the Army. Expansion of sale from other AAFES locations won’t start until 1 April 2019.
My Perspective
I am personally in no rush to buy OCPs. My uniforms are still in pretty good shape from pinning on First Lieutenant so I will be good for a while. Since I pin on in 2019 I will probably buy one last set in 2019 and wear them until late 2020. If you are slotted for OTS this year just understand that OCPs are happening. If you already bought them you will be fine because you will get your use out of what you buy since the mandatory wear date isn’t until 2021. Personally I wouldn’t buy OCPs for OTS until I saw some sort of definitive confirmation from OTS leadership. Hopefully that will come through the official packing list but if not, my plan is to post what I know on this site.
Guidance From Det 12 and 24 TRS Leadership
30 Sep 18: As of now all I have are rumors from Facebook. Here are the posts. I would love to be able to post something more definitive from Det 12 or 24 TRS leadership.
TFOT 19-01
TFOT 19-02
3 Oct 18: Here is guidance from AFRS:
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