How to Roll Sleeves on Air Force ABU's

Rolled BDU Sleeve

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One of the first things any enlisted person learns right after basic training is how to roll the sleeves on their BDU's or ABU's. This is especially vital in the hot summer months when the only other way to ventilate your arms is to button your sleeves to the widest opening.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

BDU or ABU blouse

Step1

Start with a clean, wrinkle free blouse with all appropriate patches and rank insignia sewn on. Button the opening of the sleeves to the widest opening (or the first button).

Step2

Fold sleeves up to the outside so you can see the wrong side of the fabric. Match up the seams on the underside of the sleeve that run lengthwise from armpit to wrist, and line up the edge of the cuff with the top edge of your stripe (or just over half way between your shoulder and elbow if you have no stripe yet).

Step3

Starting at the bottom with the wrong side of the fabric, begin to fold up, flattening the fold each time you roll it. Push any excess fabric to the inside seam and be sure to keep your folds narrow (two inches or less) because they will get wider the higher you go.

Step4

Once you get to the bottom edge of the cuff, fold the cuff down over the folded fabric. If any of the folded fabric shows, unfold the sleeve and start again, making your folds narrower.

Step5

If you have no rank insignia on your sleeves, double check to make sure that your sleeves are folded to the same height.

Tips & Warnings

Using starch or an iron can help make the folds flatter and neater.

Comments

leptoid said

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on 7/25/2008 oh, if you are a MSgt. or above, you would go no higher than a TSgt. stripe would go... forgot that part. nice guide btw. You wouldn't believe how many people can't do this correctly.

leptoid said

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on 7/25/2008 actually, in step 2, you should go to the TOP of your stripe unless you want to look like a big goober. The roll when you're done will touch the very bottom stripe of your sleeve this way, but not cover it. If you do the bottom of the stripe as mentioned in step 2, the sleeve will sit just below your elbow, partially on your forearm when your arm is straight. When you bend your arm like that... it'll mess up your roll.