Magic Cleaners
specializing in military uniforms
3451 Sausalito St, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562.799.9490
Sunday -- Closed
MON-FRI: 0700-1700
Saturday: 0700-1400
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 utility uniform, either OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern) uniform or ABU (Airman Battle Uniform) -- ABUs are phasing out by 31 OCT 2028. These utility uniforms are the ones used the most and will get a cadet by for a majority of events and trainings. We usually like for new cadets to try and have their utility uniform 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 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, and we have no OCPs, so 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.
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Army & Air Force Exchange An exchange's military clothing store is of course an official source of Air Force type uniforms and it is of course great to be able to try them on for the right fit, but there's fewer and fewer of them conveniently located and they don't always have small enough sizes to accommodate younger cadets. Additionally, military clothing stores only carry blues and OCPs not ABUs.
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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
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Commercial Vendors There's never really been a long list for blues, and 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. However now that CAP has authorized OCPs there is a huge number of options; do see OCP Notes for details.
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eBay Yes, eBay is a good and often cheap source for uniforms and gear, but you really need be savvy about what your buying.
For further Air Force reference: