Uniforms

Key to the cadet experience is the proper wear of Air Force style uniforms. 

In the squadron, cadets have a total of four uniforms that they wear, two of which are Air Force style uniforms for which the expectation to wear them correctly is high. It is your responsibility to know how to properly wear your uniform, you can learn from your wingman and flight staff but you should become real familiar with CAPR 39-1 CIVIL AIR PATROL UNIFORM REGULATION 

Parents should not get overwhelmed! Unless you are sending your cadet to encampment next month, you have time to acquire these uniforms progressively. The first uniform all cadets start out with is the cadet alternate uniform, which many of the items you acquire when you pay your squadron dues and the one time supply fee of $25.00. The next uniform that most cadets get is the ABU (Airman Battle Uniform) as that is the uniform that is used the most and will get you by for a majority of events and trainings. We usually like for new cadets to try and have their ABUs prior to their first promotion, that way you can actually be "pinned" and wear the rank insignia which you earned!

Cadet get a haircut!

Do you need a haircut? Maybe. It depends if you're a male or female cadet, as the standards are different, see Chapter 3, GROOMING AND APPEARANCE STANDARDS and the Interim Change Letter at the beginning of CAPR 39-1.

 DO know the standards when in uniform, as YOU are responsible for both your appearance and your conduct. 

CAPP 151 RESPECT ON DISPLAY How & Why CAP Practices Air Force-Style Customs & Courtesies

CAPP 60-33 CIVIL AIR PATROL DRILL AND CEREMONIES

Does the squadron have a supply of uniforms?

We have a pretty limited supply at the moment of uniforms or uniform items that can be lent out. It's not really a solid "go to", but if you need help and/or can't afford to get a uniform we'll do our best with what we have.

Families are always encouraged to donate out grown uniforms. What doesn't fit you anymore, might be just the help another cadet could really use!

I know about Vanguard, but are there any other sources for uniforms?

There are certain things that none of us can escape from Vanguard, but for other things there are some options it just depends upon what you are after.

Uniforms are available from a number of sources.

• Army & Air Force Exchange     An exchange's military clothing store is of course an official source of Air Force type uniforms and it's great to be able to try them on for the right fit, but it's not always a convenient option and they don't always have small enough sizes to accommodate younger cadets. (Additionally, military clothing stores no longer carry ABUs as the Air Force has transitioned to OCPs. Blues are the only thing available these days.)

  • A word of advise if you do go to an Air Force Base and shop at a military clothing store, you are a guest -- act accordingly! We have privileges but at the end of day it is just that, a privilege -- no one owes you anything. Do not argue with base personnel or cashiers, don't act in any other manner that would bring discredit to Civil Air Patrol or the squadron. CAPR 147-1 Army and Air Force Exchange privileges of Civil Air Patrol Members

• Commercial Vendors     There's never really been a long list for blues, but nowadays the list of those carrying ABUs is really kind of dwindling too. The one area where commercial vendors still shine, and I'm including surplus stores in this category as well, is items like the foliage green fleece worn with ABUs, or the sand colored rigger's belt, or equipment items in ABU.

• eBay     Yes, eBay is a good and often cheap source for uniforms and gear, but you really need be savvy about what your buying.

  • Here's two search headings to get you started: Air Force Service Uniform & USAF Airman Battle Uniform

  • One huge word of caution when looking for ABUs -- know the difference between the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) and the digital tiger stripe pattern of the Airman Battle Uniform, as they are not the same. The biggest difference between the two uniforms right off the bat -- no where on the ABUs will you find Velcro. On ACUs there's Velcro for the nametapes, rank square, the shoulder pockets and the shoulder pocket flap, the thigh trouser pockets (some later ones did get button closures), and there's Velcro closures for the calf pockets. It's all over the place!

  • For ABU outerwear, the foliage green Polartec fleece jacket and beanie, be they listed as "Army" or "Air Force" they're the same exact thing, both branches of service wore the exact same color at one time. 

Note: the ABU blouse has four pockets (much like BDU blouses before them) and has a two pen holder "pocket" on the left forearm. If you pick up something which you think is ABU but it has two slanted chest pockets and two shoulder pockets on the sleeves, both with Velcro flaps then you have an Army Combat Uniform blouse in UCP. 

For further Air Force reference:

AFI36-2903 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE PERSONNEL