Operational Camouflage Pattern Uniform

1.  Question: The OCP comes in two varieties, the standard version which has chest pockets, and the hot weather version that does not. Are both versions authorized?

Answer: Any variant of the OCP authorized by DAFI 36-2903 can be worn by CAP members who meet the weight and grooming standards IAW CAPR 39-1. Currently the DAFI states as follows; DAFI 36-2903 paragraph 5.1. “…The non-fire-retardant and improved hot weather combat OCP uniforms are the only OCP uniforms authorized to be worn by all Airmen.” Do not mix uniforms.

2.  Question: What specialty patches are authorized for wear on OCPs?

Answer: Currently, the ICL authorizes only unit of assignment, higher headquarters, and patches specifically outlined in paragraph 7.1.1.4.2.2 to be worn. No specialty track patches are currently authorized. Members should review the ICL for proper wear and placement.

3.  Question: Do CAP's height and weight standards apply to OCPs?

Answer: Made clear by references to the USAF uniform regulation (DAFI 36-2903), the OCP is a USAF-style uniform. The requirements of CAPR 39-1, paragraph 3.2, "USAF-style Uniform Grooming Standards," and Attachment 2, "CAP Weight Standards," apply to this uniform as a USAF-style uniform.

4.  Question: Para 7.1.18 states that “Officers and Cadet Officers will wear sewn on or Velcro rank insignia centered….,” however, the patrol cap is not sold with Velcro on the front of it for a rank; it is only sold with Velcro on the back for the nametape. This would therefore cause all officers and cadet officers to sew not only their tapes and ranks on their patrol cap, but on the OCP coat as well, since the mixing of Velcro and sewn on tapes and ranks is not authorized. Can the use of pin on rank insignia be considered? 

Answer: We are aware that both the DAFI and the ICL are silent on this subject. Since nothing is currently codified in regulation, members can choose whether to use Velcro or sew on rank insignia. If Velcro is desired, members can purchase a small piece of Velcro to use on the patrol cap. Again, this is the member’s choice. There is currently no restriction on mixing Velcro and sew on for the patrol or tactical cap. There are no plans to allow for metal pin on rank insignia. 

5.  Question: The phrasing seems to indicate that it's no longer required to blouse boots. Is this true?

Answer: No. Trousers are not permitted to hang unsecured. In following the guidance of our Total Force partners, the ICL guidance states the following: “Members may wear trousers tucked into the top of the boots, bloused using the draw strings at the bottom of the trousers, or use commercial blousing devices if the trousers are not tucked into the boots. Members will not wrap the trouser leg around the leg tightly enough to present a pegged appearance or insert any items inside the trouser leg to create a round appearance at the bottom of the trouser leg. When bloused, the trousers will not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot.”

6.  Question: My commander is saying no one in our unit is allowed to switch to OCP uniform wear until everyone in the unit has them, is this true?

Answer: The Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform was approved for wear starting November 1, 2025, per the interim change letter to the Civil Air Patrol uniform regulation signed by the National Commander. No subordinate unit Commander at any level can prevent members from transitioning to the OCP. A commander can specify a category of uniform (e.g. working uniforms, utility uniforms, dress uniforms, etc) for a specific event or function, but the OCP is now an approved uniform in the 'utility uniform' category.

7.  Question: Is the Two Piece Flight Duty Uniform (2PFDU) authorized for wear in CAP? 

Answer: Currently, the Two Piece Flight Duty Uniform is not authorized by the ICL or the parent document. As we work to rewrite 39-1 in its entirety, we will certainly look at the 2PFDU as an option.

8.  Question: When wearing coyote brown boots with the FDUs, would a coyote brown shirt and socks also be required?

Answer: This was missed in the ICL. Members wearing coyote brown boots with the FDU should follow the same requirements for t-shirts and socks as the OCP uniform, which conforms with DAFI 36-2903. The oversight will be corrected as we work to rewrite 39-1 in its entirety.

9.  Question: Is the Navy Blue Tactical Cap authorized for wear with OCPs?

Answer: No, the Navy Blue Tactical Cap is not authorized for wear with the OCP. Members should reference paragraph 7.1.1.12.2 of the ICL for wear of unit specific baseball caps.

10.  Question: A discrepancy between the ICL and the heraldry regulation has come up related to wear of unit patches on the OCPs. According to the ICL, only “updated” and approved unit patches are authorized for wear on the OCPs. Units without compliant patches will go without a patch on the right sleeve until they get a patch approved. According to the heraldry reg, old patches may be worn (on the ABUs) until existing unit supplies are exhausted. Could we get clarification if it is allowed to wear the old/un-updated patches on the OCPs, which would be in compliance with the Heraldry guidance, or if it is unauthorized per the ICL?

Answer: The ICL to CAPR 39-1 supersedes 110-3. Units must follow the ICL guidance.

11.  Question: Seems to me subject AUX patch design does not really transmit to the general public the full meaning of our auxiliary status. Any outsider not familiar with CAP may ponder the question  Auxiliary to whom?

Answer: The AUX patch design is correct as designed and meets the intent of identifying a CAP member in OCPs as a member of the USAF Auxiliary. There are no plans to change the CAP tape or to create any new patches. 

12.  Question: I am looking at the belt advertised on Vanguard. It shows a picture of a tan belt with a black buckle.  The belt I have been wearing with the ABUs is identical to the one in the picture; however, the buckle is also more of a tan color. Does the buckle have to be black? 

Answer: The ICL specifies a one-piece Tan 499 color rigger-style nylon web belt be worn with the OCP. It does not specify the color of the buckle. A buckle similar in color to the belt can be worn and meets the intent of the ICL. Keep in mind that as we work to rewrite 39-1 in its entirety this could change.  

13.  Question: Under section 7.1.1.1.2. Accoutrements the section talks about the use of either Velcro or sew on for occupational badges. What is not well defined is if we can place a square of Velcro in that area for them to be placed, or if they need individual matching Velcro sections that meet the profile of each badge. 

Answer: For aviation and occupational badges, the Velcro section should be no larger than the wings or badge.

14.  Question: Under section 7.1.1.1.1. We are instructed to keep the  glint squares on the shoulders covered. For programs like Washington State's Ground search and Rescue Academy that are held on the training ranges of Joint base Lewis McCord, we have been directed to utilize all safety elements including the glint squares. We have used glint tape in the past on uniforms and wonder if the CAPR callout is required by other service requirements.  

Answer: The ICL language is correct is written. There are several other safety elements that can be utilized by members to include reflective safety vests for specific events. 

15.  Question: What patches do I wear? 

Answer: The ICL covers shoulder patches in para 7.1.1.4 for both the left and  right sleeves.  The wearer’s right sleeve shall be the reverse-field American flag and the wearer’s unit of assignment if the unit has a CAPR 110-3-compliant emblem.  The wearer’s left’s sleeve is the AUX Duty Identifier patch and those patches listed in para 7.1.1.4.2.2 of the ICL. 
 
If your unit does not have a patch that is currently compliant with the heraldic requirements of CAPR 110-3, Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Program, it is not authorized for wear on the OCP uniform. This includes some existing Wing and Region patches that do not meet the current heraldic standards.  In those cases, you would wear nothing in that location. 

16.  Question: Are boots worn with OCPs a particular shade of tan?

Answer: Look for boots that are specifically “Coyote Brown” and rough out leather or composite material. Boots listed as “Tan” are likely not the correct boots for wear with OCPs.

17.  Question: Are the t-shirts worn with OCPs a particular shade of tan?

Answer: Look for issue or spec t-shirts listed as being “Tan 499” or “Coyote Brown.” The sand color t-shirts worn with ABUs are not the correct shirts for wear with OCPs. 

18.  Question: Is one type of OCP hat for cadets and the other for Senior Members?

Answer: No, cadets and Senior Members can either wear either a patrol cap or the tactical cap, at their discretion.

19.  Question: I'm reading the new OCP ICL as stating that the rank, name tape, and CAP tape must be either all Velcro or all sewn by themselves. Do occupational and command patches on the front of the uniform have a separate sewn/Velcro requirement? Example, wings and current commander insignia can be sewn on whilst the name tape, CAP tape, and rank can be Velcro? 

Answer: Reference paragraph 7.1.1.1.2 of the ICL. If more than one aviation or occupational badge is worn, they must be sewn on, along with the name/CAP tapes and rank. 

20.  Question: The AUX patch being sold by Vanguard is too big for the hot weather Velcro area on the Left sleeve. 7.1.1.4.  Shoulder Patches says that “Patches will not extend past the boundary of the Velcro.” Are there plans for Vanguard to issue of second size of AUX patch for the hot weather OCP? If not, what kind of guidance can you provide?

Answer: The 2x3 AUX patch sold by Vanguard is the standard.

21.  Question: Wear of the command insignia for past commanders- can the command insignia be placed in the Velcro square above the pocket next the covered glint square? That Velcro is not directly centered on the shoulder, but the regulation indicates that it should be centered above the AUX patch.

Answer: No, that Velcro area cannot be used for the graduated commander insignia. Members should follow the guidance in the ICL for proper placement.

22.  Question: DAFI 36-2903 section 5.1.6.2.3 states the proper size for the US flag patch on the OCPs is 1-13/16x3-1/4" however vanguard does not sell this size flag, they only sell 2x3". Is 2x3" authorized for wear in CAP? Is the vanguard listing wrong? Do we need to source our flags from another supplier and if so where? 

Answer: We were unaware of the size difference in the US flag patch. Members may utilize the 2x3 flag patch until guidance is codified in an updated ICL or the CAPR 39-1 rewrite. 

23.  Question: I wanted to know if specialty track patches were excluded purposefully as a HHQ substitute from the following; 7.1.1.4.2.2. Cadet Special Activity, Operations-related Recognition Patches, Command Council, CSAG, National Executive Committee, National Board, National Staff Badge, and Volunteer University Instructor patches may be worn in lieu of the HHQ patch. If it was, is there any plan to visually display who is a safety officer in OCPs? For local events it is probably not an issue, but for larger events I feel that being able to spot a safety officer can be important.

Answer: There is no plan to allow specialty track to be worn on the OCP. There are several other safety elements that can be utilized by members to include reflective safety vests for specific events.

24.  Question: Can OCPs be worn if the Wing patch is not in compliance with CAPR 110-3.  The ICL states that the Wing patch is mandatory.   

Answer: Yes, the OCP can be worn. If your Wing does not have a patch that is currently compliant with the heraldic requirements of CAPR 110-3, Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Program, it is not authorized for wear on the OCP uniform. In that case, you would wear nothing in that location.

25.  Question: Can other versions of the AUX patch be worn?   

Answer: No, the version of the AUX patch being sold by Vanguard is what was approved by the Air Force.  It meets the intent of the ICL.  Members should only be ordering and wearing the version sold by Vanguard.   

26.  Question: Can members buy uniforms at Military Clothing Sales stores in Air Force Exchanges?   

Answer: Yes, CAP members with current membership cards can purchase uniforms at Air Force MSC locations.   A member has been issued to all of the locations and can be found here.   Note that this permission does NOT extend to Army MCS locations.