**[Uniform Purchase Guide for Parents of New Cadets]{.underline}**

When your cadet gets his/her CAP ID number, order his/her free service
blue uniform on-line, refer to page three of your Application for Cadet
Membership in Civil Air Patrol (CAPF 15) which you should have kept. If
you do not have a copy, you can print off one again by going to CAP
National HQ's website, *Forms & Publications*, and click on forms, then
look for CAPF 15. Don't wait to order the following uniform items as it
can sometimes take a month or more to receive orders on-line.

**[Service Blues]{.underline}**

Your first set of blues on-line is FREE, but might be hard to get an
accurate fit without first trying them on. Many have had to return items
and wait for new ones. Suggestion \-- if you see someone at the weekly
meeting about your cadet's size, ask them what size they ordered for
trousers, shirt, and cover. It will help with not having to return
items. The pants/skirts will arrive unhemmed. Make sure if you take them
to a tailor that they use a *"[pants hem]{.underline}"*,
**[not]{.underline}** a straight stitch; be very clear about this. Check
other cadets' for cover size for the blue flight cover. There is no
where in this area that sells new USAF Service Blue uniforms except for
March Air Reserve Base (ARB) 1½ hour drive north on I-15 (their
selection is very limited) or a two hour drive north on I-5 to 405 to
Los Angeles Air Base (next to LAX) where their selection is very good.

**[Battle Dress Uniform (BDU)]{.underline}**

If you can, go to an Army-Navy Surplus Store and try on the BDUs if you
plan to mail order them through Vanguard or the Hock Shop. You
[cannot]{.underline} depend on the Navy or the Marine Corps to let you
on the base with just a CAP ID card as it is [not]{.underline} a
recognized military ID for the sentries on duty. The Marine Corps, U.S.
Army, and USAF no longer wear the *"Woodland Green"* BDU uniform, only a
*digital* camouflage design. The U.S. Navy still wears the woodland
green BDU uniform, so if you have legal access (active duty/retired
military ID card) to the 32^nd^ Street Naval Station or Pt. Loma Naval
Training Center BX (base exchange), that's where you can purchase them.
If you are fortunate to purchase them there, you will have official
government issue material that is 50% cotton and 50% nylon, so shrinkage
is not as severe as 100% cotton offered everywhere else. The government
issue material can be worn right out of the dryer with little or no
ironing. There are two types of BDUs: ***"hot*** and ***cold weather"***
which are labeled on a patch inside the blouse and pants accordingly.
Another way to tell is that the hot weather material is made of a
lighter material and has *"rip stop"* faint lines running throughout the
material. Never purchase the cold weather BDUs as the wearer will
[roast]{.underline} in them in California! CAP does not use or is
allowed to purchase digital BDUs - active duty only.

**[BDU Cover/Sq. 144 Organizational Cover]{.underline}**

This item is becoming very hard to find. Inquire while at the local
Army-Navy Surplus stores. Sometimes they still have the USAF/Army style
BDU cover at the 32^nd^ Street Naval Station, if you have access there.
You might have to order the BDU cover on-line if desired. The Squadron
144 organization ball cap can replace this item and can be ordered
through the squadron finance officer.

**[Combat Boots]{.underline}**

This may be the hardest item to find as the USMC and USAF do not utilize
**black** combat boots anymore, only light brown suede. The Navy does,
but you will have to have legal access to the Naval Base and BX.
Unfortunately if you do obtain access to the Navy BX you will find
[only]{.underline} steel toed boots. These are very hard on the toes and
do not bend or shape to ones' foot over time. The best bet here is one
of the local Army-Navy Surplus stores listed at the end of this
information brief.

**[On-Line Companies]{.underline}**

There are two on-line companies in competition with each other listed
below. The Hock Shop seems to be less expensive. CAP National HQs has
contracted with Vanguard who returns a portion of their profits back to
CAP. Listed below are their respective websites:

The Hock Shop: [http://www.thehock.com](http://www.thehock.com/)

Vanguard: [http://vanguardmil.com](http://vanguardmil.com/)

(Vanguard can be also accessed through the CAP National HQ's website)

These two companies have a complete head to toe uniform package
containing all uniform items as well as all insignia necessary to outfit
a new cadet with a complete woodlands green camo BDU uniform in summer
weight (100% cotton rip-stop). This package consists of the military BDU
cover, a woodland camo BDU shirt and trousers, black T-shirt, BDU belt
and buckle, black or white boot socks and black combat boots as well as
the metal cutouts for the collar, embroidered \"CIVIL AIR PATROL\"
breast tape, one pair of embroidered nametapes, a reverse American Flag
for the right sleeve and a California CAP Wing patch for the left
sleeve. All items available in Adult Men\'s sizes only. The Hock Shop
provides a six inch metal ruler to aid in determining the proper
placement of insignia.

**[Items to Order ASAP]{.underline}**

**\* Flight CAP Emblem**. This is for blue flight cap.

**\* Rank (metal) Collar Devices**. Purchase four metal rank collar
devices (two for blues and two for BDUs or change them if you don't want
to purchase two sets.) You should order the next two ranks as well so
you don't have to order it again in a few months. Saves shipping and
handling. Or ask if other cadets have old ones or extras they no longer
want.

**\* CAP (metal) Cutouts**. Only used when the cadet is an airman basic
in basic training flight. Again, by asking senior squadron cadets, they
might have extras or unused ones they would be willing to donate to you
or lend until your cadet makes airman.

**\* Garters, Shirt**. These uniform shirt garters keep the shirt tails
tucked in and add to the overall appearance of the cadet. Snaps onto the
shirt tail and the other end connects to the top of your socks (optional
item).

**\* Belt, Service Blue**. Purchase a dark blue web belt with silver
metal tab. There is also an elastic version that is very popular also.

**\* Buckle, Silver**. Purchase a silver belt buckle for the dark blue
belt to wear with the service blue pants.

**\* Belt, BDU**. Purchase a blue belt with black metal tab.

**\*Buckle, Utility**. Purchase a black utility belt buckle for the BDU
uniform.

**\* CIVIL AIR PATROL Tape**. This blue fabric tape with white letters
will read **"CIVIL AIR PATROL"**; one per BDU blouse and will be affixed
above the left upper pocket.

**\* Name Tape**. This blue fabric name tape with white letters will
have the cadet's last name only; one per BDU blouse and will be affixed
above the right upper pocket.

**\* Name Tag, Plastic**. This plastic name tag is affixed over the
right pocket on the **[service blue shirt]{.underline}**; order two.
Vanguard does the best job (CAP0599M, Cadet blue name plate).

**\* California Wing Patch**. This will be sewn on the left shoulder of
the BDU blouse.

**\* American Flag Patch**. This will be sewn on the right shoulder of
the BDU blouse.

**\* Squadron 144 Patch**. This will be sewn on the right upper pocket,
centered and can be ordered through the Finance Officer.

**\* Training ribbons**. These can be ordered on-line at Vanguard or the
Hock Shop. The Hock Shop has the best buy -- Curry thru Armstrong (a
good deal, not ordering individual ribbons). This set includes all of
the achievement ribbons for Phases 1 and 2 of the Cadet Program. Nine
ribbons are included: Curry, Arnold, Feik, Wright Brothers,
Rickenbacker, Lindberg, Doolittle, Goddard, and Armstrong. SKU
Number:6597; don't forget the mounting bar/ribbon holders.

**\* Mounting Bar/Ribbon Holders**. Vanguard or The Hock Shop. Purchase
a one ribbon, two ribbon, three ribbon, and four ribbon holders so you
don't have to order the next one a few months down the road.

**\* Black T-Shirts**. These are for wear under the BDU and for physical
training (PT) and can be purchased almost anywhere. They can also be
purchased from Vanguard (CAP0968SA Cadet program T-shirt, black, price
depends on size.)

**\* Blousing Straps/Bands**. These are for BDU trousers which can be
purchased at Vanguard, The Hock Shop, Army-Navy Surplus stores, or any
military installation. Large rubber bands can also be utilized.

\* **Black Dress Shoes**. Worn with the service blue uniform.
[Only]{.underline} officers and senior members may wear high-gloss
(corfram) shoes. If one has access to local military bases, black
Oxford, low cut dress shoes can be purchased or at any USAF base uniform
shop.

*Black dress shoe notes:*

Enlisted male cadets can find plain black shoes fairly easy. Look around
at other male cadets' shoes to get an idea of what is acceptable. They
must be plain with no design, i.e. design holes, stitching on the toes,
etc., or just be safe, purchase the military issue style from a military
source.

Female cadets are a bit harder to purchase for, especially flats, unless
you are okay with wearing men's shoes. Bates brand is the military
brand; Vanguard and The Hock Shop have them. Look at the other female
cadets' shoes to be safe. If you prefer and order the blues skirt and
plan to wear pumps make sure you can march in them. Pumps look nice with
skirts, but are not practical for marching. Mervyns has a few pairs
about an inch in height that were conducive to marching . The women's
pumps are not made to be highly polished like men's shoes because of the
material, but of course should be kept in good shape with a leather wax.

**[Ordering Sites & Phone Numbers]{.underline}**

**Vanguard**:
[**www.vanguardmil.com/store**](http://www.vanguardmil.com/store) (800)
221-1264

**The Hock Shop**: [**www.thehock.com**](http://www.thehock.com/) (800)
843-4625

**March Air Reserve Base**:
[http://www.march.afrc.af.mil](http://www.march.afrc.af.mil/) The March
Air Reserve Base, Base Exchange, is located at Bldg 758 on "N" Street
off Riverside Drive gate entry. Hours of operation: Sunday through
Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 9
a.m. to 8 p.m. For further info call: (951) 653-3111. Very limited
supply, you might want to call before going. Take I-15 north to freeway
215; exit Cactus Blvd. and make a right turn; continue to Riverside Dr.
and make a right turn onto the inactive portion of the base. March ARB
is about 60 miles northeast of San Diego.

**Los Angeles Air Base**:
[http://www.losangeles.af.mil](http://www.losangeles.af.mil/) Usually
outstanding selection for blue service uniform items. Some woodland
green uniforms left as of 2008, but mostly for cold weather. Hours of
operation are about the same as March ARB and base can be accessed with
CAP ID card. For further info call: (310) 414-940. Take I-5 north to
freeway 405 north, exit El Segundo Blvd and make a left turn at
T-street, continue to Douglas St. making a right turn and then another
right turn to the main gate. The drive is about two hours
**[IF]{.underline}** there are no accidents and traffic; about 90 miles
north. 4

**Stars & Stripes Army-Navy Surplus**: One location: 1220 Broadway, El
Cajon (619) 442-3800. Might have the largest selection; will be moving
to Main Street in El Cajon during the month of July 2008.

**G.I. Joe's Army-Navy Surplus**: 799 El Cajon Blvd, El Cajon (619)
401-7593

**Apollo Depot**: 404 Mission Ave., Oceanside (760) 722-3444.

**Bargain Center**: (surplus store): 3015 North Park Way, San Diego
(619) 295-1181

*Note*: These surplus stores are similar to thrift shops as used
merchandise comes and goes. You never know what bargains you'll find. In
the past, one cadet found the male service blue jacket for \$10; normal
cost is \$60.

**Other Options**: Some sporting goods stores have combat type boots for
sale. There is another Army-Navy Surplus store in Temecula next to I-15
(left side going north) and another store in Vista.

**[Active Military Bases in the Area]{.underline}**

You must be accompanied by someone with a military ID (active duty or
retired). Only the 32^nd^ Naval Station and Naval Training Center (Pt.
Loma) BXs provide CAP related uniform items, i.e., black Oxford shoes,
ribbon holders, woodland green BDUs, shirt garters, etc. No CAP
designated items are stocked there, i.e., CAP collar devices, ribbons,
name tapes, etc. If up at Edwards AFB (by Palmdale) or Nellis AFB (by
Las Vegas), these are two BXs you don't want to pass up, armed with your
CAP ID card.