Donated uniforms (help please?)

[Sandbagger]

Has anyone ever heard of any organization donating old class A/B uniforms to schools?

I'm in college Army ROTC and my Bat doesnt issue A or B uniforms. This would be fine but I've recently resurrected the Battalion color guard and think we would look a whole lot better with at least B's.

How do you guys get your hands on uniforms when you don't have a lot of money?

[RLM10_2_06]

First and foremost, I think I should note that my school already has Class As for its Color Guard, but we ONLY use them for big, usually televised, events; everything else is done in ACUs. Now frankly, shooting for "old" Class As probably won't work because:

1) ROTC isn't JROTC; you have actual Soldiers there, and to have them wearing an outdated uniform is an insult, and out of regulation in some cases. As a result, you would probably need the most current Class As. I'd pull out the black-and-white and check out exactly what you're aiming for, though.
2) Given that you may need the most current Class As, it seems unreasonable to donate or try to sell them to a training unit when there are new Soldiers every day fresh out of boot camp who need them.

Now, if you can find a slightly outdated uniform that meets regulations, or an organization who will help you, that'd be great. However, looking at it myself, I'd say you're going to have to suck it up and buy them somehow.

Now, I've seen schools be a bit restrictive on who has Class As simply because of the price issue. Mine has a rule of thumb that doesn't pertain to money, but can help in that area; "if you're not contracted, you don't get Class As". This does a few things to help your case:

1) It cuts down on the number of uniforms you need, period. Unless your Color Guard team as a whole is going to be morbidly small, this shouldn't be an issue, as you shouldn't be using your Class As for every event anyways.
2) As cruel as it is to say this, these kids are the ones getting the nice government paychecks. Have them chip in for Class As via a membership fee or something (if you choose a membership fee, this also brings you money from the non-scholarship crowd).

Also, it's not ideal to have them buy their own; when they commission, where are those uniforms going? Definitely not back in your S-4 shop. It will be rough to start, yes, but it should be worth it. Even if you need to take some action and start a fundraiser, it shouldn't be long before you can outfit at least one or two teams worth of people.

Now, one last thing to note; I've been referencing Class As this whole time. From a personal standpoint, I hate the idea of anything needing a "dress uniform" being done in Class Bs, and I've hated every Color Guard I've ever seen in Class Bs. Obviously, this is a matter of preference, and maybe cost efficiency. Do whatever works for your unit, maybe get Class Bs first, then As.

Sorry if I kind of shot down your original post, but I hope I've been a help in some way.

[Sandbagger]

1) ROTC isn't JROTC; you have actual Soldiers there, and to have them wearing an outdated uniform is an insult, and out of regulation in some cases. As a result, you would probably need the most current Class As. I'd pull out the black-and-white and check out exactly what you're aiming for, though.
2) Given that you may need the most current Class As, it seems unreasonable to donate or try to sell them to a training unit when there are new Soldiers every day fresh out of boot camp who need them.

I never intended to imply that I would have my soldiers wear incorrect or worn out uniforms. They would wear correct class A's - though understand that class A's are ostensibly "old news" and there are a not of people who see no reason to buy them despite the fact that they don't wear out until 2014.



Now, I've seen schools be a bit restrictive on who has Class As simply because of the price issue. Mine has a rule of thumb that doesn't pertain to money, but can help in that area; "if you're not contracted, you don't get Class As". This does a few things to help your case:

1) It cuts down on the number of uniforms you need, period. Unless your Color Guard team as a whole is going to be morbidly small, this shouldn't be an issue, as you shouldn't be using your Class As for every event anyways.
2) As cruel as it is to say this, these kids are the ones getting the nice government paychecks. Have them chip in for Class As via a membership fee or something (if you choose a membership fee, this also brings you money from the non-scholarship crowd).



currently, about 70 percent of my color guard is MS1s not a whole lot of contracted cadets...

Really If I didnt have such issues with recruiting in this hour of standing up a color guard detail, I would institute membership fees. As it stands - I'm having trouble getting and keeping cadets who will A) attend regular training and B ) participate in regular ceremonies for FREE - nevermind for a cost.



Also, it's not ideal to have them buy their own; when they commission, where are those uniforms going? Definitely not back in your S-4 shop.

- absolutely not. If anything I would like the cadets to come out with a dress uniform they can use when they commission. I've heard about A's getting kicked back in some schools and it always seemed terribly ridiculous.



Now, one last thing to note; I've been referencing Class As this whole time. From a personal standpoint, I hate the idea of anything needing a "dress uniform" being done in Class Bs, and I've hated every Color Guard I've ever seen in Class Bs. Obviously, this is a matter of preference, and maybe cost efficiency. Do whatever works for your unit, maybe get Class Bs first, then As.

this is 90% of the issue. With B's there is only 1 item of clothing that needs to be altered and no patches. With A's you have a jacket that should be altered, SSI patches, additional pins on the chest, marksmanship badges - a TIE! etc etc etc.

I would much rather have them start with B's for the price.

And- to be honest, color guard doesn't NEED a dress uniform- it just needs to have a correct, sharp looking military uniform and this can be accomplished with just about anything.

[RLM10_2_06]

Just for the record, I never meant to make any accusations, and if it came off that way, I'm sorry. I was trying to say that research of standards is necessary, and that's something I haven't done to the full extent that it would be needed. It looks like you've got it together very well.

Now, this could be a very tricky situation. I would suggest doing the following, in order:

1) If you haven't already, talk to the cadet staff, then cadre (you're looking for whoever controls the money). See if you can get funding from within the unit to begin with. Not likely, but worth a shot.

2) Check out local businesses. It depends on your area, but you would be suprised just how many organizations are willing to toss a few bucks your way if you ask nicely, explain all the details (where is their money going, why do you need it from THEM, etc.), and give them plenty of time to gather some money.

3) Fundraising. This can be done two ways, either independently or with a local business. Independent work is easy if you can find a good supplier; simply have everybody chip in some cash, buy some goods, and resell them. Doing it with a local business can be easier, but this may involve establishing a relationship with them to get started, especially if you're starting with little or no money.

4) Asking the cadets to buy their own uniform through a cheap source that you find, thus your current conundrum. This is something to try to avoid, but if you run out of ways to acquire uniforms, this is it. Personally, I have no idea who to turn to, but I'd use the vast expanse of the internet to look around, as well as looking for a local Clothing and Sales, surplus store, etc.

Simply put, you need to discuss this with your team. Have a meeting and throw this idea at them; see what they CAN commit, whether it's money, time, or anything else useful. The more help you can get in this so you don't have to do it all alone, the better.

[CAPSmith]

Our Civil Air Patrol unit frequently receives uniforms from the local Air National Guard unit. This ranges anywhere from service coats to "gently worn" BDUs.

I'm not sure if your National Guard unit might be able to have some stuff "fall off the truck" on the way to DRMO when people exchange stuff for different sizes, etc. But it's worth a shot.

[Sandbagger]

Just for the record, I never meant to make any accusations, and if it came off that way, I'm sorry.


No problem! I never sensed any accusation. I appreciate the input!



Simply put, you need to discuss this with your team. Have a meeting and throw this idea at them; see what they CAN commit, whether it's money, time, or anything else useful. The more help you can get in this so you don't have to do it all alone, the better.

This is probably it. I've pretty much scraped this team together from nothing but we'll see after a semester if the cadets are feeling hooah about picking up a set of uniforms. even if it were just 4 of the 6 we could do ceremonies.


I'm not sure if your National Guard unit might be able to have some stuff "fall off the truck" on the way to DRMO when people exchange stuff for different sizes, etc. But it's worth a shot.

My CSM got his hands on a ton of TA-50 / OCIE gear from a reserve unit that was upgrading to UCP gear and ACH helmets. I guess I just need to get the connections.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

I know some JROTC units get too many dress uniforms or order the wrong sizes and need to get rid of them, so they trade with other JROTC units. You may want to look into that.

[Sandbagger]

I looked into this a little bit more and determined that, if I shop around a little, I can get sets of B's for about $80 each from http://www.armynavysuperstores.com/armydressuniforms.htm

AG short sleeved shirt - $11.95
Green Trousers - $23.95 (I think I can find these cheaper)
Oxfords $28.95

These items, I found elsewhere.

Black belt w/ brass buckle $7.65
Nameplates $2
Rank pins (supplied by the battalion)
Ribbons (supplied by the battalion)

and the cadets can procure commercial white undershirts, plain black dress socks etc on their own...

The trousers will still have to be altered but all in all, it's fairly little money for uniform that is a little more flashy than the ACU. I think I will sit on the idea until next semester (when I become an MS 3) and then give it a shot.

[C/CLN]

^^I would NOT recommend using that site.

[Sandbagger]

^^I would NOT recommend using that site.

Please! If you know something, let me know! I appreciate you speaking up.

[C/CLN]

Please! If you know something, let me know! I appreciate you speaking up.
I don't know anything in particular about that site, but just from a glance it looks very sketchy. You might pay for a shirt and get some random green piece of crap that they got from their local Wal-Mart. Get some money together and shell it out and get the real stuff is my advice. If you can get some "gently used" stuff, then that's nice too, but I would not feel confident giving out my money to that site.

[Ben Shotalot]

Any Army/Navy surplus store outside a large Army installation will have an abundance of Class As. I got an extra set for 40 bucks a year ago. The set is from Marlow White and it normally would have cost in excess of $300.

There are several surplus stores here just outside of Fort Lewis and they are overflowing with pants, jackets and shirts. A sewing shop was giving away tons of unclaimed Class As here a few months ago. I grabbed about 6 shirts and another extra jacket and two pairs of pants.

The surplus stores aren't moving that stuff and I have seen boxes of the uniform items sitting outside of the store labeled "FREE".

[Sandbagger]

I don't know anything in particular about that site, but just from a glance it looks very sketchy. You might pay for a shirt and get some random green piece of crap that they got from their local Wal-Mart. .

I appreciate your concern and will be cautious. I will contact the website before I place any orders and make sure they are selling legitimate uniforms. This looks to me like overstock A's that would otherwise go unsold due to the change over to ASUs.

Any Army/Navy surplus store outside a large Army installation will have an abundance of Class As. I got an extra set for 40 bucks a year ago. The set is from Marlow White and it normally would have cost in excess of $300.

There are several surplus stores here just outside of Fort Lewis and they are overflowing with pants, jackets and shirts. A sewing shop was giving away tons of unclaimed Class As here a few months ago. I grabbed about 6 shirts and another extra jacket and two pairs of pants.

The surplus stores aren't moving that stuff and I have seen boxes of the uniform items sitting outside of the store labeled "FREE".

You're right. I just need to find out where this surplus is going so I don't have to spend money. Too bad I dont lived near an army post.

All soldiers get them, wear them a handful of times, are required to keep them in pristine condition until they seperate and then suddenly dont need them. There's a lot of opportunity to get a good deal here.

[Ben Shotalot]

Do this...


Get the sizes and qty of what you need written down for your group.

Google the words "army surplus" (or something similar) and an Army base (like Fort Bragg) together and find out what shops are out there.

Then call them. Ask them if they will support you and your group. If not for free items, maybe at a discount. Offer to pay for shipping of course, and pay for all the additional items like belt buckles, etc.


Maybe you will get some interest, maybe you won't. I'm willing to bet that one of the surplus stores would be interested in making a couple of bucks off something that not many want or need, instead of throwing the stuff out or giving it away to charity.

[Sandbagger]

Do this...


Get the sizes and qty of what you need written down for your group.

Google the words "army surplus" (or something similar) and an Army base (like Fort Bragg) together and find out what shops are out there.

Then call them. Ask them if they will support you and your group. If not for free items, maybe at a discount. Offer to pay for shipping of course, and pay for all the additional items like belt buckles, etc.


Maybe you will get some interest, maybe you won't. I'm willing to bet that one of the surplus stores would be interested in making a couple of bucks off something that not many want or need, instead of throwing the stuff out or giving it away to charity.


That's a great idea. Thanks, Ben!

[C/SSGT Seifer]

I looked into this a little bit more and determined that, if I shop around a little, I can get sets of B's for about $80 each from http://www.armynavysuperstores.com/armydressuniforms.htm

AG short sleeved shirt - $11.95
Green Trousers - $23.95 (I think I can find these cheaper)
Oxfords $28.95

These items, I found elsewhere.

Black belt w/ brass buckle $7.65
Nameplates $2
Rank pins (supplied by the battalion)
Ribbons (supplied by the battalion)

and the cadets can procure commercial white undershirts, plain black dress socks etc on their own...

The trousers will still have to be altered but all in all, it's fairly little money for uniform that is a little more flashy than the ACU. I think I will sit on the idea until next semester (when I become an MS 3) and then give it a shot.
Judging by the pictures provided on the site, those pants aren't even from the Class A uniform! The pants were black...

[Sandbagger]

Judging by the pictures provided on the site, those pants aren't even from the Class A uniform! The pants were black...

Photographic/lighting issues it looks like.

I called them and spoke to a saleswoman.It sounds like a reputable place but they said they have limited stock.

[Ben Shotalot]

It sounds like a reputable place but they said they have limited stock.

Probably because they have new/old uniforms. What I mean is that they have been previously purchased but never really worn. Or they have been really worn. The pictures tell the story. Look at the jacket and you will see tailoring marks (by the lower pockets) and the pants have already been hemmed. The shirts are out of the packages. Everything is laid out on a bed sheet for photos like eBay.

Look at the overcoat - It says "New never issued overcoats", and the shoes say "SPECIAL >>> Surplus dress shoes"

That's hokey to say the least. This is a surplus store. I wouldn't buy from them.


:recon: