When the Air Force officially introduced the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) utility uniform in October 2018 as the eventual replacement for its Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), it also established both new subdued rank insignia designs and new placement criteria. On the ABU, Colonels wore rank insignia on the collars of the uniform coat/shirt; this changed to the chest of the OCP coat/shirt. The dark blue “full bird” on a solid-colored background used for the ABU Colonel’s rank insignia was also changed to a spice-brown eagle on an OCP camo pattern background.
Besides the OCP and ABU, Air Force Colonels also wear subdued rank insignia on outerwear ensembles like the APECS (All-Purpose Environmental Clothing System) and ECWCS (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) and garment such as the Woodland Gore-Tex Jacket.
Use the Pattern and Style selection boxes to the right to specify a camo pattern (or solid-colored background for some ABU-style uniforms) and an attachment method appropriate to the uniform on which the insignia will be worn. Guidance on insignia patterns and styles is found in AFI 36-2903. Note: the OCP coat rank, nametape, and USAF tape must all employ the same attachment method.
More USAF Colonel Insignias and Devices