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TSA Works the Other Runway

Transportation Security Officers don new uniforms and badges.

Federal News Network Staff

September 11, 2008 1:59 pm

1 min read

By Suzanne Kubota
Senior Internet Editor
FederalNewsRadio.com

Conventional wisdom holds that “to be important, look important.” In that spirit, the Transportation Security Administration has unveiled new uniforms.

The design change, according to TSA, “addresses officers’ concerns of utility, respect, and confidence” and makes them a readily identifiable symbol of security.

Gone are the white shirts with embroidered badge. Replacing them are a bright blue material with a gold metal shield.

The morale booster seems to be working. According to TSA, “just as the job classification and title changed from ‘Screener’ to ‘Transportation Security Officer’ in October 2005, this new uniform represents the highly skilled and tested nature of TSA’s frontline workforce.”

The new uniforms, now worn nationwide, were introduced in April at BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport, and in June at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

According to TSA, the changes “grew out of a recommendation from TSA’s National Advisory Council (NAC), a formal organization of transportation security officers, assistant federal security directors and security managers that meet quarterly to discuss issues that directly impact the frontline workforce”.

The new style is part of a “culture shift” which will include two days of training for every transportation security officer and their managers.

“While the uniform and badge represent the professionalism of our officers, it is what’s behind the cloth and metal that embodies the spirit of TSA — a focused, intelligent and dedicated workforce that lives the agency’s post 9/11 mission: ‘not on my watch,'” said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley.

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On the Web:
TSA – News & Happenings