Bathrobe

From USAFA Folklore

Early classes were issued class colored terry cloth bathrobes (National Geographic, June, 1959). In the 1970s, male cadets received wool bathrobes entirely in their class color. Later classes received sturdier blue robes that sometimes had class colored trim.

[edit] Trivia

• The Class of 1990 did not receive issue bathrobes until the Spring semester. Prior to that, they were required to wear their issue raincoats to the shower. Some squadrons allowed their fourth class cadets to earn "bathrobe privileges" and wear civilian bathrobes.
• Wagering was generally frowned upon by the commanders, but bathrobes were an exception. Prior to Air Force/Navy and Air Force/Army football games, it was customary to "bet" bathrobes with agreeable cadets in sister academies as to the outcome of the game. Generally speaking, Army bathrobes were deliriously thick and warm, just the perfect thing for a crisp Colorado evening. Navy bathrobes were made of dark wool with a beautiful pocket crest. Winning either was a major coup for a zoomie. In contrast, the Air Force class colored bathrobes were thinner and didn't feature any distinguishing crests or markings (although in more recent years, an embroidered Prop and Wings insignia was added to the breast pocket).
• Bathrobes were also the one uniform item where individual expression was permitted. Some cadets emblazoned their bathrobes with patches from favorite football teams, organizational units, or other such symbols.