--- title: "Space Force to test new mess dress uniform this fall" description: "After a \"formal wear testing\" period this fall, guardians will be given a 12-month heads-up before the uniform becomes mandatory." date: "2026-06-22" modified: "2026-06-22" authors: - name: "Patty Nieberg" job_title: "Senior Reporter" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/patty-nieberg/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/space-force-mess-uniform/" categories: - "Military Branches" - "News" - "Space Force" --- # Space Force to test new mess dress uniform this fall ![U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speaks to graduates of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13, 2026. Saltzman encouraged the class to lead with humility, expertise, and innovation as they returned to their units as the Air Force and Space Force’s premiere tactical and operational experts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bella Swarr)]() *Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman at a graduation for the U.S. Air Force Weapons School in Las Vegas, Nevada in June. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bella Swarr.* A Space Force general donned a new mess dress that the service is testing for wear this fall, an official confirmed to Task & Purpose. The new mess dress uniform is black with silver buttons and embroidery. The lower sleeve-cuff area shows a diamond shape that outlines the same design on the [service’s flag]() with the [delta, globe, orbit, and Polaris star](). Mess dress uniforms are the military equivalent of tuxedos or similar attire that would be worn to a black-tie event, according to Space Force [uniform regulations](). The uniform news was [first reported]() by Air & Space Force Magazine. Their reporters noticed that the Space Force’s Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman [sported a new uniform]() at a graduation at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School in Las Vegas, Nevada, in mid June. An Air Force spokesperson told Task & Purpose that Saltzman was wearing the first test version of the Space Force mess dress, which is expected to enter “formal wear testing” in the fall. “The Space Force is continuing to work with industry partners to determine production requirements and the timeline for service-wide availability,” the official said. “Guardians who volunteered and were selected as wear testers have recently completed their mess dress fittings.” ![U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman delivers remarks as the guest speaker during the U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduation in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13, 2026. As the first Guardian to ever serve as graduation speaker, Saltzman emphasized the importance of integrating air and space capabilities to meet the demands of future conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bella Swarr)]() *Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman during the U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduation in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13, 2026. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bella Swarr.* The new dress uniform will [replace the modified Air Force uniform]() that Guardians have worn since the Space Force was established in 2019. The Air Force mess dress uniform is optional for officers until the new Space Force mess dress is “widely available” for purchase at military stores, the official said. The new dress uniform will [replace the modified Air Force uniform]() that Guardians have worn since the Space Force was established in 2019. The Air Force mess dress uniform is optional for officers until the new Space Force mess dress is “widely available” for purchase at military stores, the official said. Once the uniform is readily available for purchase across military stores, the service will formally issue a “mandatory wear date,” they said. In January, the Air Force [announced]() that troops from other services transferring into the Space Force would be required to purchase the new service dress uniform once they arrive at their new duty location. The announcement also stated that guardians would be given a 12-month heads-up before the mandatory wear date for the new mess dress goes into effect. ## Author Patty is a senior reporter for Task & Purpose. She's reported on the military for six years, embedding with the National Guard during a hurricane and covering Guantanamo Bay legal proceedings for an alleged al Qaeda commander. Her previous bylines can be found at the *Associated Press*, *Bloomberg Government*, *Washington Post*, *The New York Times*, and *ABC*. You can reach Patty by email at [Patty.Nieberg@taskandpurpose.com](). ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]()