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No Fanny Packs in the Air Force

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Ahhh, the fanny pack: The triumph of substance over style, a look that boldly says, "I care not for fashion statements. I need to carry some damn stuff around."

Well, the Air Force apparently has something in common with the fashionistas who cringe at the sight of this kind of purely functional accessorizing. There's no provision for wearing fanny packs in the service's regulations on "dress and personal appearance." Jeff Schogol, the "Rumor Doctor" at Stars and Stripes, actually asked about the policy because apparently there's a message being circulated on Facebook to the effect that the Air Force had revised its regs to approve fanny packs. Not so, Air Force spokesman 1st Lt. Derek White told him via e-mail: "There is no guidance regarding the wear of fanny packs in uniform."

Schogol's diagnosis: "The rumor is fake." Which begs the question: How did this issue arise on Facebook in the first place? Are there legions of fanny-pack backers in the Air Force crossing their fingers hoping for a change in the dress code?

(Hat tip: Atlantic Wire)

fannypackKM.jpg

There'll be none of this in the Air Force.

Tom Shoop is vice president and editor in chief at Government Executive Media Group, where he oversees both print and online editorial operations. He started as associate editor of Government Executive magazine in 1989; launched the company’s flagship website, GovExec.com, in 1996; and was named editor in chief in 2007.

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