Air Force Space Command, the division in charge of US Air Force nuclear missile operations, has declared that its space and missile operators can no longer wear flight suits.

Air Force Space Command said Friday that its men and women who aren’t assigned to flying operations will not be allowed to wear flight suits or Air Force leather jackets after Oct. 1.

So goes the story, once upon a time silo sitters had a unique uniform for sitting at the console of their nuclear duties.  In the 1990s, these were replaced by dark blue flight suits.  Eventually, these were abandoned in favor of the “one force” green flight suit worn by aviators.  The leather jackets made famous by pilots were also worn.

On one side of the argument are those who want to build the perception of “one team,” independent of career field — pilot or not.  On the other side are those who think flight suits should be for those who fly.

Of course, that last argument brings other people into the fight — like those who operate UAVs, and people who were previously in the aviation career field but now fly a desk.  Both are still authorized to wear a flight suit as their duty uniform.

Update: Also at AF.mil.