Worn at state occasions and official formal evening functions, the Men's Officer Mess Dress Uniform is the equivalent of civilian black-tie attire and its possession is mandatory for Officers. It also forms the basis of the Men's Officer Formal Uniform, the equivalent of a civilian white-tie ensemble that is worn only by Officers. The Formal Uniform is distinguished from the Mess Dress by the type of shirt (wing collars), a vest (instead of a cummerbund), a white bow tie (Mess Dress bow ties are blue-satin), and removal of the linked-chain fastener.
Mandatory items in the Officer's Mess Dress Uniform include:
♦ Mess Dress Coat with hard shoulder boards
♦ Mess Dress Shirt (wing collars required for Formal)
♦ Mess Dress Trousers (high-rise, 7/8-inch stripe)
♦ Blue-satin bow tie (white for Formal)
♦ Blue-satin cummerbund (vest for Formal)
♦ Matching cuff links and shirt studs
♦ Black Oxford dress shoes
♦ Chaplain, Aeronautical, Space, Cyberspace, and Missile Operation badges are mandatory
♦ Air Command Insignia (if applicable)
Unlike the Enlisted Mess Dress Uniform, wear of the Chaplain, Aeronautical, Space, Cyberspace, and Missile Operation badges is not mandatory, but if applicable the Air Foce Command insignia must be worn. Nametags and headgear are not worn with the Mess Dress or Formal uniforms, and saluting is not required when the Mess Dress or Formal Uniforms are worn outside. Only miniature medals may be worn with either uniform.