Morale Fridays come to McChord

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Airmen in new various colored T-shirts are making an appearance at McChord Field on Fridays. The Air Force's change to authorized dress and appearance instructions Jan. 2014, has given way to "morale Fridays."

Under the Air Force's recent change to instruction, Col. David Kumashiro, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, has authorized Team McChord squadron commanders to incorporate morale Friday T-shirts and patches among their squadrons. Airmen are authorized to wear squadron approved T-shirts with their Airmen battle uniform, flight suits and physical training uniform on Fridays or during special events as directed by their squadron commander.

"I think this was returned to re-instill squadron pride and team morale," said Master Sgt. Nathan Pigza, 4th Airlift Squadron first sergeant.

According to Pigza, morale T-shirts play an important role in squadrons.

"If you see Airmen walking around the base wearing their morale T-shirts, you know what team they are," said Pigza. "The morale shirts show they are proud to be part of that squadron."

Airmen can now work with their leadership to design a morale T-shirt or flight patch that represents their squadron if they don't already have one. Morale T-shirts and patches must be approved by squadron commanders and must be in good taste and reflect proper military order, discipline, morale and image.

"This is a way we can show our unity as a squadron and display the pride we take in our work outward to others," said Pigza. "It's more than a T-shirt; it's about who we are."

According to Tech. Sgt. Andrea Roberts, 62nd Maintenance Group NCO in charge of documentation, morale T-shirts are important for unit cohesion and pride.

"I wear my morale shirt to boost unit pride," said Roberts. "We are a tight-knit unified group and this shirt is a token that signifies I'm part of this unit. By wearing the shirt it shows you're proud of your squadron and what you're a part of."

Airmen can find out information on obtaining a morale T-shirt or morale flight patch by contacting their first sergeant. For more information on dress and appearance standards see Air Force instruction 36-2903.