Officer Training School

Air Force Officer Training School - Why do I have to buy uniforms?

I was doing a little research on Air Force Officer Training School and I noticed that one would have to buy their own uniforms and supplies. Why is that? I would think they would be provided at little or no cost. Or at least deducted from the pay checks.

Public Comments

1. Officers receive an initial clothing allowance. It's a "you buy your stuff to train, you succeed in training, THEN we pay you" deal.
2. Officers have to pay for many of their uniforms and meals, unless they are deploying to, or are deployed to a combat area. I don't know, it's just the tradition. They do get paid loads more than enlisted, so they can afford it.
3. worry about getting in before worrying about buying your uniforms, its extremely tough to get in anyway. if you don't have a 3.5 GPA in a technical major, you have nothing to worry about. but anyway, it'll basically just be deducted from your pay (you get paid quite a bit more at OTS than they take out)
4. Actually your uniforms are deducted from your pay checks. You can just pay cash, if you have it. But most officer's use a payment plan, to pay off their uniforms over time. IE: while your in OCS, they are not gonna say, you owe us $1,300, pay right now. You will sign up for a payment plan while in OCS, to pay for the uniforms.