Here how one squadron (located on an Air Force installation) is collecting tons of free uniforms. They constructed a 3' x 6' box for uniform donations and placed it in front of their meeting location on base.
The combination of the ABU phase-out by the air force and seasonal "spring cleaning" is resulting in a perfect storm where they're receiving a steady supply of uniform items. While the box is primarily aimed at collecting phased-out ABUs, they do receive quite a few blues uniforms in the mix, too. During this past reserve weekend, the box was emptied on Thursday and completely filled again by Monday morning.
One observation as squadrons start to emerge from their COVID-induced hibernation, many cadets have outgrown their uniforms. Since this squadron has more uniforms than they know what to do with, and no intention of hoarding things just for themselves, they've begun distributing uniforms to other units in their wing.
Be advised, the uniforms aren't truly "free" because it DOES create a bit of a workload... the box must be emptied regularly, the uniforms need to be sorted to remove unserviceable items, care packages need to be assembled for uniform distribution to other units, etc.
If you're located on or near an Air Force installation, please consider doing something similar.
(http://mcchord.org/temp/Donation_Box.jpg)
http://mcchord.org/temp/Donation_Box.jpg
Genius!
A quick update on this project:
Donations have really picked up. Here is a photo showing just a few days' worth of uniform donations.
The team has been keeping track by weight and so far they've collected 4,200 pounds of free uniforms. Mostly ABUs blouses and pants but also many hats, shirts, rain coats, etc. Every once in a while some green boots and rucksacks get tossed into the box, too.
If your unit is able, NOW is the time to do something similar to solicit ABU donations from our Air Force cousins.
(http://mcchord.org/temp/Donations_Week6.jpg)
http://mcchord.org/temp/Donations_Week6.jpg
Has anyone else tried this idea?
Here's another update from this unit. Two weeks worth of donations totalling nearly 1,500 pounds of ABUs waiting for CAP vans from other units to come and collect them for distribution.
(http://mcchord.org/temp/Donations_Week11.jpg)
One of our Seniors is in the MI ANG, and put up a donation box at his unit that got us probably 30+ sets of ABU's. We had a group of Cadets sort them and remove old patches and then organize them in the supply room.
Quote from: Capt Thompson on May 19, 2021, 02:03:22 PMOne of our Seniors is in the MI ANG, and put up a donation box at his unit that got us probably 30+ sets of ABU's. We had a group of Cadets sort them and remove old patches and then organize them in the supply room.
How many were in cadet sizes? We're getting truck loads of ABUs that are being generously donated by local Airmen instead of tossing them, probably less than 10% fit our members (either too large for cadets or not large enough for our fluffy senior members who probably shouldn't be wearing them anyway).
Quote from: Fubar on May 24, 2021, 11:53:36 PMQuote from: Capt Thompson on May 19, 2021, 02:03:22 PMOne of our Seniors is in the MI ANG, and put up a donation box at his unit that got us probably 30+ sets of ABU's. We had a group of Cadets sort them and remove old patches and then organize them in the supply room.
How many were in cadet sizes? We're getting truck loads of ABUs that are being generously donated by local Airmen instead of tossing them, probably less than 10% fit our members (either too large for cadets or not large enough for our fluffy senior members who probably shouldn't be wearing them anyway).
I know that, due to donation volume, this unit has stopped sorting the incoming uniforms by sizes and are simply screening for unservicable items (damaged, grease stains, etc.) and bagging them up for distribution to other units.
The uniform sizes reflect the base population with about 10-20% are smaller, generally female-sized, uniforms that will fit smaller cadets. If the uniforms are a little large, that's okay because cadets grow and they grow fast.
When it comes to uniforms being not large enough for some senior members, there are other alternatives available.
Quote from: Fubar on May 24, 2021, 11:53:36 PMQuote from: Capt Thompson on May 19, 2021, 02:03:22 PMOne of our Seniors is in the MI ANG, and put up a donation box at his unit that got us probably 30+ sets of ABU's. We had a group of Cadets sort them and remove old patches and then organize them in the supply room.
How many were in cadet sizes? We're getting truck loads of ABUs that are being generously donated by local Airmen instead of tossing them, probably less than 10% fit our members (either too large for cadets or not large enough for our fluffy senior members who probably shouldn't be wearing them anyway).
We have a pretty good mix, the Cadets that I still needed to get into ABU's by June were able to find sizes that would work, the younger Cadets still end up going to VG as they are the only ones that carry the really small sizes. Hopefully as those Cadets grow out of the smaller sizer, we will have something for them and they will turn in the smaller ABU's so we have them in supply.
We just got another trailer load of ABUs from an Air Force Reserve unit. Some of these uniforms were brand new, still with the tags on them. Unfortunately a large percentage of this particular take were of very unusual size combinations like 48XL or 50XS.
These were definitely not cadet sized.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210525/2f50ffb86dd0cb2700035613052281a4.jpg)
Quote from: NIN on May 25, 2021, 10:14:13 PMWe just got another trailer load of ABUs from an Air Force Reserve unit. Some of these uniforms were brand new, still with the tags on them. Unfortunately a large percentage of this particular take were of very unusual size combinations like 48XL or 50XS.
These were definitely not cadet sized.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210525/2f50ffb86dd0cb2700035613052281a4.jpg)
Awesome... you have pup tents now for your next cadet bivouac. ;)
And if anybody wants the inevitable ABU skirt, we have the material!
(Bernie and Ned, and maybe some others, will remember that as a topic on the old CAP-Talk mailing list circa the mid-1990s... lots of crazy ideas there)
Quote from: NIN on May 25, 2021, 10:14:13 PMWe just got another trailer load of ABUs from an Air Force Reserve unit. Some of these uniforms were brand new, still with the tags on them. Unfortunately a large percentage of this particular take were of very unusual size combinations like 48XL or 50XS.
These were definitely not cadet sized.
You say that, however, we got a box of brand new 50S blouses and were able to issue them to a cadet (who's like 14). 50 Reg would have fit better, but at least we had something for him.
Quote from: NIN on May 26, 2021, 11:38:11 AMAnd if anybody wants the inevitable ABU skirt, we have the material!
(Bernie and Ned, and maybe some others, will remember that as a topic on the old CAP-Talk mailing list circa the mid-1990s... lots of crazy ideas there)
So, we've got our jobs cut out for us (pun intended) to make it work, then.
I once knew a PR1 (Parachute Rigger) at Pax River who ran up an entire CWU-27/P flight suit for a female whose hips (issued by God) would not fit standard flight suits (issued by DoN). Bolt of Nomex cloth and proper Nomex thread in = tailored factory appearing outfit at the end. I think he also may have added a custom transverse zipper for her, left to right around the inseams, to ease her in flight access when necessary. He also altered a whole lot of PCU56 harnesses and anti G trousers that were mission unsat, being over tight on the hips and loose around the waist (needed to be snug overall). There really is a fine military art of sewing and tailoring, and I knew a Master at it, though I myself only know the basic cross stitching I learned as a cadet to hem my own stuff.
PR1 Bill R., a true Sailor.
V/r
Spam
Quote from: NIN on May 26, 2021, 11:38:11 AMAnd if anybody wants the inevitable ABU skirt, we have the material!
I actually had a kilt made out of ABU material. Strictly for off-duty wear. NYCO R/S; I wish it was the Nomex blend that the ABE was made out of.