PARENT UNIFORM INFORMATION

 

Welcome to Squadron 153. The following information is designed to help you understand the uniform requirements of the program. We do not expect you to buy everything at one time. You may elect to buy the various uniforms in stages to ease the financial burden. On the other hand, the sooner your cadet is in uniform, the better. It builds cadet confidence and a sense of belonging. Please read the UNIFORM SOURCE SHEET and follow the directions carefully.

 

Some basic ground rules on uniforms. We never wear partial uniforms or uniforms without proper patches. All Cadets are required to have their new uniforms inspected for correctness by their flight leaders PRIOR to wearing them. They should plan to arrive at the meeting early with the new uniform on hangers, have it inspected, then change into it for the meeting.

 

Your Cadet will be given instruction on exact placement of all the pins and patches by his/her flight staff. The uniform manual 39-1 is the uniform bible and is part of the assortment of books and manuals your cadet will receive from CAP National Headquarters in the mail. We all use this manual and look up the specifications. Use a ruler to measure placement of pins and patches.

 

We expect our Cadets to wash and iron their own uniforms NOT MOM or DAD. This is something you need to teach them. They need to learn how to polish their shoes and boots with wax polish and a good shoe brush. Teach them and make them responsible. We teach and believe in personal responsibility. Yes we do occasionally take them to the dry cleaner.

 

ALTERNATE UNIFORM

This is the starting uniform that your Cadet will wear until they receive their membership card. It is also worn for casual outings and some social functions. The best part is that you already have most of the items.

            *Squadron Baseball Cap (Called a “Cover”)

            *Squadron Pin for Cover

            *Black Squadron T Shirt

            Blue Jeans, No Holes, No Sagging, Worn at natural waist.

            *Blue USAF Belt trimmed to proper length.

            White socks

            Tennis shoes, clean without holes.

            Dark plain Jacket for warmth

 

Cadets are expected to have this uniform before their membership card arrives.

 

 

 

 

 

PARENT UNIFORM INFORMATION CONTINUED

 

BDU UNIFORM

This uniform is our working uniform that we wear outdoors or “Go to the field”.

It is worn at every-other meeting and at the once a month fox hunt Saturday meeting.

            *Squadron cover and pin above

            *Black Squadron T shirt above

            BDU Blouse (Woodland Camo) ith patches and tapes

            BDU Pants

            USAF Belt with subdued buckle.

            Blousing bands

            Boots

            BDU Jacket with liner and all patches and tapes

Cadets are expected to have this uniform before they enter Charlie Flight if not before.

When it comes time for encampment you cadet will need a second set of BDUs. The size charts for BDUs are pretty accurate.

 

 

 

BLUES UNIFORM

This is our dress uniform and is worn at every other meeting. Some cadets get a free uniform order sheet with their membership card that gets you all these items free.

Enlisted Flight Cap

            *CAP Cap Device

Light Blue USAF uniform shirt. Note that there are several material choices. The 65/35 Polyester cotton blend is the easiest to care for and is the least expensive. Sold by neck size.

*CAP Cutouts (Collar Pins)

Shirt Garter

Dk Blue USAF Pants

USAF Belt from Alternate uniform

Black plain toe uniforn oxford shoes. Real Leather NO CORFAM OR PATENT LEATHER

Black socks

USAF Light Weight Jacket with liner.

 

Cadets are expected to have this uniform by the time they finish Charlie Flight.

 

ALL ITEMS MARKED WITH A STAR (*) ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGH THE SQUADRON STORE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIFORM SOURCES

 

After much trial and error the following guidelines will help you in buying the right items at the right places. There are other sources but these seem to work out the best with less returns and less errors.

 

Your first purchase should be from the Squadron store during the regular meeting night. This will get you the items marked on the list with a star (*) and get you started in the alternate uniform.

 

Your next purchase should come from the QUARTERMASTER UNIFORM COMPANY in Long Beach. You do NOT need a membership card. You should buy the blue plastic cadet nameplate, Six Blue Cloth Name Tapes, and Three Civil Air Patrol Tapes. They will sometimes do these while you wait. Directions to Quartermaster: I405 North, 710 West, off at 6th Street, left on Long Beach Blvd. The store is on the right between 7th and 8th Streets. Be sure to get their catalog. It is free and you will be able to see what some of the equipment items look like on the equipment list that follows.

 

ONCE YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD you can purchase your BDUs at the JFTB Los Alamitos Clothing Sales Store on Base. They have BDUs and Boots. This is an Army store so they will not have any Air Force items. Expect to pay by cash or credit card. THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CHECKS. You will be asked to show your CAP ID Card.

 

The Air Force Specific items like blues come from the Los Angeles Air Force Base clothing sales store. Direction: I405 North, Off at El Segundo West, North on Douglas, Gate on the right. Tell the gate guard you are going to clothing sales and be prepared to show your CAP ID Card.

 

Card carrying members may also buy from the CAP bookstore. They have a great catalog but their service is by mail and slow. Bookstore phone is 1-800-633-8768. Minimum order is $10.00.

 

One last word on uniforms. Every year we see cadets with well meaning parents spend good money on uniforms and equipment that do not meet the official standard. This is not a place where “close enough” will do. We hold a higher standard. It has to be right. Your Cadet has been assigned a mentor Cadet that has been in the program a while. If it is possible for your Cadet to have his or her mentor Cadet go along for uniform purchases it really helps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT

 

 

Your Squadron has a lot of equipment available to issue to you for your immediate use at an event. You may use it and then return it clean after the event. It is somewhat limited and usually requires a lot of adjustment. Most people that plan to stay in the program prefer to buy their own field equipment. You set it up once and it is ready to go at a moment’s notice.

 

Once again let me warn you that equipment must meet our squadron’s standard. I see parents buy items that do not meet our military standard and have to be re-bought. The majority of our field gear is the same as that used by our military in the field.

 

Below are catalog numbers for the Quartermaster Uniform Company. Their items are mostly military standard but some items are commercial copies.

 

ITEM                                       Q/M

 

Web Gear (All OD-Olive Drab)

            Pistol Belt <34”            Q69-10

            Pistol Belt >34”            Q69-10

            Canteen Covers            Q69-030 (need two)

            Canteens                      Q69-035 (need two)

            LC2 Suspenders           Q69-020

            Mil Flashlight                Q69-220

            Butt Pack                     Q69-135

 

Alice Pack Medium                  Q99-400

            Straps                          included

            Frame                          optional

Lensatic Compass                    Q712-050

Poncho Liner                            A41-60

            Used as a blanket. Great cadet bed cover!!!