Blues Monday returns! Published Jan. 21, 2010 By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot Airmen will comply with chief of staff of the Air Force policy regarding Air Force blues Monday, consistent with safety and mission accomplishment beginning here Jan. 25. Airmen whose Monday duties require the wear of a utility or flight uniform are exempt. Examples might include maintainers, flyers scheduled to fly, missile crews, security forces, first responders, etc. The final determination will be made by the individual's group commanders. If the members Monday duties are in an office, or do not include heavy or dirty manual labor, blues will be worn. The wear of blues will be a year round occurrence. Individual unit commander's have the discretion to suspend the wear of blues on a case-by-case basis due to mission or weather events. This should be not mistaken for a blanket pass to avoid wearing blues but intended to allow unit commanders the flexibility to ensure the safety and productivity of their personnel. Authorized overgarments for blues are the green/gray parka, all-weather overcoat, light weight blue jacket and blue sweater. Wear only the black knit watch cap when wearing an overgarment. You can wear black boots with blues pants. Not the huge insulated black boots, regular black boots. Consult AFI 36-2903 or contact the unit first sergeant for more information. The purpose of returning to blues Monday's is to reconnect with the Air Force image, culture and professionalism that is uniquely signified by the blues uniform. As the greatest Air Force in the world, we should dress as well as act the part. In a letter dated Sept. 4, 2008 from Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, the general outlines the reason for bringing back the wear of blues on Monday's. "Prior to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, it was common practice for a majority of Air Force members to wear the blue uniform as their duty uniform," he said. "While major command policies often differed, it was also common practice to wear utility uniforms one day a week. Post-9/11 we've moved away from our blue uniforms almost altogether and have transformed into an Air Force that wear our utility uniform on a daily basis." The general continued: "During our recent 4-star summit, we had several discussions concerning our uniforms, including the wear of our blue uniform on a routine basis. We all agreed that part of our image, culture and professionalism is instilled in our blues. As a result, the blue uniform will be the duty uniform worn every Monday by Air Force personnel in appropriate career fields and environments as determined by your installation commander." [Editors note: Col. Douglas Cox, 5th Bomb Wing commander, contributed to this article.]