Green River Composite Squadron

Civil Air Patrol – US Air Force Auxiliary

Drug Free and Proud!

Buying, Preparing, and Maintaining Uniforms

A Guide for New Cadet Members

Complied by Pat Amann, 1^st Lt, CAP, Current 8/1/06

Getting Onto McChord AFB and Visiting the Clothing Store

The CAP ID card that’s coming in the mail enables the cadet to be driven onto McChord AFB by a card-carrying CAP senior member or the cadet’s parent(s) for the purpose of going to the Military Clothing Sales Store (MCSS).  Uniform items may be purchased at Air Force bases or Army posts, but it is much easier to get onto McChord than it is to gain access to Ft. Lewis.  See further details about what you’re allowed to buy on base/post on page 6 of this document.

“The ladies” who work at the Military Clothing Sales Store are excellent at offering advice on size and proper fit.  Clothing that was/will be shipped to you by CAP (the blues uniform) can be exchanged there - if in original packaging (plastic bag) with the tags still attached.  If you bought something from a non-official source, it probably cannot be exchanged there.  The MCSS carries USAF clothing and ancillary items, including underwear, socks, shoes, boots, and much more.  I strongly advise you to look here and check the prices before buying surplus items.  It helps that there’s no sales tax at McChord.  Military Clothing Sales Store phone number: (253)584-9308.

Your “Blues” Air Force Style Uniform

AT THIS TIME, ALL NEW CADETS RECEIVE A FREE AIR FORCE STYLE UNIFORM, INCLUDING –

            1) Blues Shirt/Blouse   2) Blues Pants/Skirt   3) Belt with shiny buckle   4) Flight cap

It takes an average of about 5 weeks for delivery, and it is possible that the "blues" uniform that will be shipped to you might not fit properly.  Try it on at home but leave the tags on and save all the packaging if you’re not sure about the fit.

THE ITEMS YOU’LL NEED TO HAVE/BUY TO MAKE THE BLUES UNIFORM COMPLETE –

 - Don’t copy this – a shopping list is provided for you in the last two pages of this document -

            Tie – Males only, Air Force style (plain blue), clip-on or the kind you tie, polyester, inexpensive - cheapest at McChord.

                Black shoes – Plain black that can be polished or patent leather.  Females can wear low high-heel-style or lace-up.                                                  Look at them at McChord so you’ll know what to get if you buy elsewhere

            Nameplate – Civil Air Patrol 3-line style for cadet blues uniform, blue plastic engraved with last name – order this item

            Cadet Hat Device for Cap/Hat – Not available locally, must order this item

                Tie tack or clasp – Males only, must be the official CAP type, must order this item

            CAP cutouts – Collar insignia that will be worn on blues and BDU uniforms, must order this item

            (Blues jacket) -  Is optional.  Don’t buy one yet!, check with the squadron – we may have one that will fit you (we                                                mostly just have them for males) and would be free

Your Other Air Force Style Uniform: BDU’s

 (By the way, BDU stands for Battle Dress Utility uniform)

YOU WILL YOU NEED TO BUY A COMPLETE BDU SET TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING–

 - Don’t copy this either– a shopping list is provided for you in the last two pages of this document -

            BDU Pants - woodland green camo, Army/Air Force style (not Marine) in either rip-stop (summer weight) or                                               poly/cotton (winter weight) – [see note regarding fabric on next page]

                BDU Shirt (called a blouse) – same as above

T-Shirt – solid black, no pocket or decoration

Cap (hat) – Match cap to BDU fabric – [see note regarding cap on next page]

                Boots – see note on next page

                Boot socks – if buying at McChord or a store, go for wool or the hi-tech cushiony type that keep feet dry

                BDU belt and subdued buckle – blue official Air Force belt and flat black buckle (won’t find at Ft. Lewis)

                "CIVIL AIR PATROL" breast tape – hand embroidered fabric, white on blue background, to match nametape,                                   will need to be sewn above left breast pocket of BDU’s – must order this item

Nametape - last name only, come as sets of 2, hand embroidered with cadet’s last name only, white on blue                                             background, will need to be sewn above right breast pocket of BDU’s – must order this item

            Reversed field American flag – approx. 2X3.5 inches, full color, will need to be sewn to top of right sleeve of                                  BDU blouse - McChord has these at 2/$3

            Washington Wing Patch – will need to be sewn to top of left sleeve of BDU blouse.  Get one from the squadron or                             order this item

(Cloth rank) - is not needed by cadets

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC, HATS AND BOOTS OF BDU UNIFORM –

BDU fabric type

When shopping for BDU’s, my advice is to get the rip-stop type, not the heavier cotton "winter" weight.  Even the lighter type is still quite warm, and something else will be worn in cold weather anyway (or long undies will be worn underneath) - it's easy to add layers.  There are many summer activities where BDU’s are worn, and individuals are much more likely to have trouble with heat if they have the heavier type uniform.

BDU hat

I advise that you buy the BDU cap at McChord AFB rather than a surplus store, as CAP is restricted to wearing certain type of caps (AF and Army) and not others.  All the ones at McChord are allowed as they're the correct type, and they're really quite inexpensive.  If you get a rip-stop uniform, you should get a rip-stop hat. 

Boots

The only requirement is that they be solid black “combat style” (and there are many styles to choose from) and that the toes can be polished to a high shine (don’t buy a pair that is terribly scuffed).  They can be solid leather (as in standard issue type), or leather plus fabric (jungle style).  Quick-lace systems are GOOD, but a small consideration compared to price if a cadet is growing fast and the boots will soon be too small anyway.  Get them big enough to allow plenty of room in both width and length to accommodate heavy socks and growing feet.  One of the new parents told me about a great deal on boots at one of our local stores (a sporting goods store like GI Joes?), so you might want to check that out.  New boots cost about $50 and up at McChord.  Look at them (and try on) there before you buy boots elsewhere.

BEST PRICE FOR A COMPLETE BDU SET –

You can save money by buying a BDU uniform package from The Hock Shop, an internet store that has a very good reputation. The base price is $89.95, plus $5 shipping, with no sales tax.  This is very best price I know of for a complete set of new BDU’s, including boots and all the other items like t-shirt, socks, belt, tapes, etc.  The shopping list at the end of this document indicates which items are included in this package.  (You’ll still need to buy some other items for the blues uniform.)  If you’re going to go this route, it would be especially important to visit McChord before ordering, as you’ll need to know exactly what sizes to order.  I don’t think you could exchange any of these items at McChord.

I’ve seen the uniforms people got at The Hock Shop, and they seem first rate and come complete, including belt, hat, and patches ready to be sewn on.  (But remember; go to McChord first to determine what sizes you need!)

OTHER OPTIONS –

Yes, you may find decent uniform articles at surplus shops.  Try to get items that match each other in fabric, color and wear and that aren’t too beat up, as cadets want to look good.  I’d suggest trying e-Bay, but inquire about the condition and know exact sizes needed before you bid or buy.  This is a fantastic way to buy BDU jackets, especially Gore-Tex ones that cost $120 at McChord/Ft. Lewis.  By the way, don’t feel you need to buy a jacket immediately.  Hold off until you see there’s a definite need and know your preference.

Putting It All Together!

(Now Where Does All This Stuff Go And How Do I Attach It?)

AND THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU DO!!!

The blue zippered binder that you will receive in the mail will have pictures that indicate how you wear the uniform and show where things go on your uniforms (blues and BDU).

WHAT NEEDS TO BE SEWN (OR NOT!) ONTO YOUR UNIFORM –

·        Do NOT sew ANYTHING onto the blues shirt or blues jacket.  (And remember, the blues jacket is optional - and you might be able to get one for free from the squadron.)  The wing patch is no longer used on any blues garment.

·        You WILL need to sew tapes, wing patch, and the flag onto BDU blouse as described below.  Always match thread color to patch/tape edge where sewn.

1. “Civil Air Patrol” tape goes above upper LEFT pocket (“heart” side as you wear the shirt), and name tape goes above wearer’s RIGHT pocket.  Both tapes should extend the full width of the pocket, and should rest directly above and even with the top edge of the breast pocket.  Turn raw edges under at left and right ends before sewing for a neat appearance.  Consult uniform manual and photos.

2. The reversed field American Flag patch will need to be sewn near the top of the RIGHT sleeve, centered ½ inch below the top shoulder seam. (The outer edges of the rectangular flag will be less than ½ inch below the top of the sleeve due to the curve, but the center of the flag should be exactly ½ inch below the shoulder seam where it meets the top of the sleeve).  Do not put a crease in the flag.  (All of this is new and hasn’t been included in the Uniform Manual 39-1 yet.

3. The Washington Wing patch:
1. Must be firmly creased with an iron before it is sewn onto the uniform.  Crease it from top to bottom (straight down the center – from between the I and N in WASHINGTON, through the center of the top red propeller blade, continuing down between the trees to the bottom of the patch).  If this isn’t done before it is sewn on, you will never be able to get a sharp crease in the future.  Also, crease the sleeve before centering the creased patch directly over it, lining up the creases.  (The crease in the sleeve should begin exactly where the top shoulder seam meets the sleeve, and continue straight down the length of the arm.)
2. The patch will need to be sewn near the top of the LEFT sleeve, with the top of the round patch centered ½ inch below the top shoulder seam.

INSIGNIA WILL BE PLACED AS SHOWN IN THE “MEMBER KIT” INSERT IN MEMBER’S BLUE CAP BINDER –

1. Flight Cap Device – (blues only) will be placed as shown on flight cap, centered on L side, 1-1-1/2 inch behind front edge of cap

2. Nameplate  - (blues only) will be worn above wearer’s right pocket of light blue uniform shirt as described and pictured

How Do I Take Care of My Uniforms?

Blues pants will need to be hemmed.  Make them as long as possible to allow for growth, if needed, but without touching the ground or looking baggy/droopy.  Try to leave extra hem length to let out later, but make it as unobtrusive as possible – the hem should be invisible. Per Uniform Manual 39-1: “Front of trouser leg should rest on the front of shoe with a slight break in the crease; back of trouser legs will be approx. 7/8 of an inch longer than the front.  Trousers must be worn at the natural waist line and not resting on hips.  Skirts should be hemmed to fall anywhere between the top and bottom of the kneecap.”

Never machine wash your blues pants/skirt, because it would never look the same again.  Don’t believe that part about it being “washable”.  This is an article that’s worth the cost of dry cleaning.  Treat it well and keep it clean.  Hang in the bathroom while the shower is running to get the wrinkles out, and store neatly on a hanger.

Your blues shirt and BDU’s can go in the washing machine and dryer.  After they’ve dried, take them out before they get too wrinkled and hang them up.

Touch up any wrinkles with a cool iron – a hot iron will melt rip-stop fabric.  Don’t wear a wrinkled or dirty uniform, or one with holes in it (the only exception is if you’re in the middle of an emergency services event!)

Your BDU’s will need to be ironed VERY WELL, and starched in places such as the front of the collar, lapels, and sleeves.  Your flight sergeant or an instructor cadet will explain this to you, and will even teach you how to iron your own uniform.

Do not press directly over the top of buttons on BDU’s, or you will get prominent (and permanent) “circles”.  If buttons are removed in order to prevent this, be careful not to cut fabric!

Carefully trim ALL loose or hanging threads – and check again every time you iron your uniform.

Trousers and sleeves of light blue shirt and BDU’s need to be neatly creased. 

On BDU’s, do put a crease through the center of the Wing Patch, and continue the crease up and down the remainder of the sleeve.  But DO NOT PUT A CREASE THROUGH THE AMERICAN FLAG - to do so would be considered disrespectful and is improper.  Start the crease below the center of the flag, pressing both sleeves in the same place: beginning at the top shoulder seam where it meets the sleeve.  Professional laundries often put the crease behind the back edge of the flag, and that’s fine.

CAP Members’ Privileges (and Restrictions) at McChord & Ft. Lewis

You can go to either McChord or Ft. Lewis to buy uniform items, but it is much easier to get onto McChord with your CAP ID card than it is to get onto Ft. Lewis.  However, Army Regulation 60-20 is the source of authority on CAP members being able to enter the post and buy uniform items, and you can have the person at the visitor center look up the regulation.  If you keep a copy of CAP Regulation 147-1 (“Army and Air Force Exchange Privileges of Civil Air Patrol Members”) in your vehicle, you can take it into the Ft. Lewis visitor center to help you gain access, as it refers to the Army regulation and may help clarify things.  A copy of that regulation has been made available for you to print – see the document titled: “Army and AF exchange privileges of CAP members.pdf”.

            However, there are strict limitations at both AF bases and Army posts.  Unless a CAP member is housed at a base or post for some special activity and is carrying orders authorizing them to do so, CAP members are NOT allowed to make purchases at base/post exchanges (these are not the stores where uniforms are sold).  Our privileges are limited to Military Clothing Sales Stores only, and strictly speaking, for uniform items only, although McChord allows purchase of anything in the store.  (At the “mall” housing McChord’s clothing store, you can also get your hair cut; buy lunch in the food court; or visit the laundry where you can pay to have patches sewn onto your uniform, have your uniform cleaned, or get tailoring done.)

Save your receipts!

(All expenses for CAP (including uniforms, equipment, and transportation) are tax-deductible!)

See the squadron’s document titled New Member Info on Tax Deductible Expenses for details.

Your Shopping List:

What to Buy, Where to Get It, & Cost for New Items

The uniform items that every cadet needs as a member of Civil Air Patrol are listed below.  Although the Air Force is providing a basic blues uniform at no cost to you (it was ordered at the time the membership application was completed), there are additional uniform items that will be needed before the uniform can be worn.  Some of the items complete the blues uniform.  Others are components of a second style of uniform: the BDU’s.

The very best price available for a complete BDU set is a package deal from The Hock Shop for $89.95 and up depending on options.  The package is called the “Complete Basic Woodland Camo BDU Uniform for Cadets”, sku #7811 (see note below table).  The items included in that package are marked with an (#) in the far-right column below.

*MUST be ordered, not available locally / **Can be ordered -or- made at a shop in Lakewood

(#) Included in complete package BDU set from The Hock Shop  

McChord Air Force Base, Military Clothing Sales Store:  1-253-584-9308

            Store hours: M-F 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 11-5

Vanguard:  http://www.civilairpatrolstore.com/store/link1.php , 1-800-221-1264

The Hock Shop:  http://www.thehock.com/ , 1-800-THE-HOCK (1-800-843-4625)

            Note if ordering BDU package from The Hock Shop:

            Be sure to order the Washington State wing patch (round, with mountain & 2 trees)