Tech. Sgt. Brenton Nance, facing, a leadership instructor at Davis-Monthan, conducts an inspection in the Airmen Leadership School class. The Air Force recently imposed a policy requiring personnel to wear their dress blue uniforms to work every Monday, both to help instill discipline and to observe tradition.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

More Photos (1):

Other articles by Carol Ann Alaimo:

Program will put recent war veterans in 'green' jobsD-M would gain 400 posts, Air Guard lose 126 in proposed Air Force budgetAmerican Legion Post 131 is fast starterBig-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, maybe a smoking banMilitary leader to stay in Southern Arizona Study seeks military spouses Tucson woman to honor mate's Navy service in burial at sea Dentist's family's troubles resurfaceSoldier lost half his skull but not his determinationHorses as therapists: helping veterans heal

Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps

Every Monday, thousands of Davis-Monthan airmen have the blues.

Blue shirts, blue slacks, blue hats and ties — all are now required to start the workweek under a new Air Force order designed to honor tradition and keep a closer eye on military waistlines.

The change, dubbed Blue Mondays, modifies a practice adopted after 9/11 of allowing airmen to wear camouflage garb to work each day as a reminder that the nation is at war.

For many at D-M, the switch back to blue has been effortless. For others, it's been like trying to squeeze into a prom-night tuxedo years after the fact.

The blue uniforms fit more snugly than the roomier combat dress.

Some D-M airmen "are hurting right now because they haven't busted out their blues in a while," said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Warren, a fuel specialist working as an instructor in the base's Airman Leadership School.

"Personally, I think it's an awesome policy," Warren said of the change. "It keeps us looking professional."

It also encourages airmen to stay in shape, she said.

"It becomes apparent, with the tighter-fitting uniform, who probably needs to go to PT (physical training) a little more," Warren said.

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the Air Force's new chief of staff, issued a directive last month telling troops to leave their camos at home once a week.

Schwartz said the blue uniform is an important symbol of the Air Force ethos. "Part of our image, culture and professionalism is instilled in our blues," he said in a letter announcing the change. Before 9/11, airmen often wore blues to work, the general noted.

Another Pentagon-level official, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, said Blue Mondays will "give leaders a better opportunity to observe the appearance of our airmen."

Looser-fitting camouflage "can hide a lot," McKinley said in an e-mail recently quoted by the Air Force Times newspaper. A spokesman for McKinley confirmed the contents of the message, which McKinley sent to chief master sergeants at the Air Force's major commands.

Outside the gates of D-M, Tucsonans have greeted the change with some curiosity.

"You do get looked at more often," said Senior Airman Kira Bischoff, who has noticed quizzical gazes from fellow diners while lunching at the New China restaurant on North Wilmot Road near East Speedway.

Before Blue Mondays began, Bischoff said she hadn't worn her blues since basic training in 2003.

Tech. Sgt. Brenton Nance, another leadership instructor at D-M, said that on a recent airline flight from Texas back to Tucson, fellow passengers peppered him with questions about his blue duds.

"People have come to associate us with the combat uniform, so when we step out in more professional attire, they notice."

Staff Sgt. Jacob Richmond, a D-M spokesman, has his own theory about why the Air Force made the change.

The blue uniform requires extra effort to wear properly, he said. Shirt buttons and belt buckles must be correctly aligned, name tags centered, hats perched perfectly above the eyebrows.

"It forces you pay close attention to detail," Richmond said. "That's important no matter what your Air Force job is."

"It becomes apparent, with the tighter-fitting uniform, who probably needs to go to PT (physical training) a little more."

Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Warren