From 1 October 2018 to 1 April 2021, the Air Force had two distinct utility uniforms—the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) and the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP)—authorized for wear. In addition to unique camouflage patterns, the two uniforms also have different guidance for the wear of subdued cloth rank insignia. All personnel wear rank insignia on the chest of the OCP coat, while Officers wear rank insignia on the collars of the ABU and Enlisted Airmen sew subdued chevrons onto each shoulder of the ABU coat.
The OCP coat features a Velcro pad for mounting the rank insignia, but personnel may opt for sew-on insignia instead so long as the name tape and USAF tape are also sewn-on (the same rule applies when using Velcro-backed insignia). Slip-on rank insignia, which we refer to as “Gortex Loop” because they are often worn on garments made of the trademarked material, are commonly used on outerwear garment such as the Improved Rain Suit and Woodland Gore-Tex Jacket.
Use the Style and Pattern selection boxes to the right to specify the camo pattern and attachment method of cloth rank insignia:
Sew-on
Rank with Velcro
Gortex Loop
More USAF Lieutenant General Insignias and Devices