What to wear, ABU policy Published May 15, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Brian Maguire 436th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- With the introduction of the Airman Battle Uniform, and the option to wear either the ABU or the Battle Dress Uniform, Airmen can get confused about the varied requirements for wear and maintenance of the ABU. The mandatory wear date for the ABU is October 2011, but Airmen can wear them now. The green ABU boot is authorized for wear with all Air Force utility uniforms, to include the ABU, BDU, green and desert tan flight suits. Organizational baseball hats are not authorized for the ABU. Only ABU hats and the currently authorized berets are allowed for the ABU. The floppy ABU "boonie" hats are authorized for wear while deployed to the area of responsibility only. Boonie hats are not authorized while at home station. Due to increased demand of the APECS parka, installation commanders can make exceptions to the policy of wearing the BDU parka with ABUS. Currently, all efforts should be made to avoid wearing the BDU parka with ABUs at Dover Air Force Base. The black combat boots authorized for wear with the BDU can not be worn with the ABU. Dry cleaning and the use of starch are prohibited with the ABU. Dry cleaning or starch will make the uniform more brittle, and reduce the life of the garment. The ABU is a wash and wear uniform, with no pressing required. More questions about the wear or maintenance of the ABU can be answered at the Air Force Uniform Program Web site, found on the Air Force Portal.