How do I figure out what size service coat I need to order?
Dan, do you have a supply of them in your squadron's supply/uniform closet? If so, go try a few on and then read the size tags.
If not... that is a good question. I know I have a size 17 AF blue shirt but I have no idea what my sleeve size is because I had it custom tailored because when I got it, it was too long for me.
I want to buy me a white aviator shirt, however I can't because military sizes are so confuzzling and I wished they would use the civilian size standards like M, L, XL, and so on.
Do you live near a base? If so, best thing to do is stop by their clothing store/BX and try some on. FWIW, my civilian sizing matches up well but you should still expect some minor alterations.
QuoteInsert Quote
Dan, do you have a supply of them in your squadron's supply/uniform closet? If so, go try a few on and then read the size tags.
Negative. We have lots of service coats, but none near my size (I'm a big boy)
QuoteDo you live near a base?
Sorta kinda. The nearest is the 128th ANG base on the lower east side of Milwaukee. But I don't even know if I can get access to the base nor do I know the size of their CS/BX.
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 06:37:12 AM
QuoteInsert Quote
Dan, do you have a supply of them in your squadron's supply/uniform closet? If so, go try a few on and then read the size tags.
Negative. We have lots of service coats, but none near my size (I'm a big boy)
QuoteDo you live near a base?
Sorta kinda. The nearest is the 128th ANG base on the lower east side of Milwaukee. But I don't even know if I can get access to the base nor do I know the size of their CS/BX.
I don't know much about base access, granted not every base will let CAP onto their bases. I'd see if you can call their PBX or whatever its called and speak to the PBX supervisor and explain to them that you're CAP and you need AF service coat and whether or not they have them because if they don't that ends your search there and need for access.
If they DO, then see if they would be willing to let you and your parent(s) onto base. If not, then I would talk to your squadron commander and have them contact the base or whatever needs to be done.
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 04:23:59 AM
How do I figure out what size service coat I need to order?
First, what is your suit size?
If you don't know that ... the best thing to do is take a tape measure and make two measurements: one around the chest and one around the waist. The chest measurement is your "suit size." You'll also want a sleeve length measurement; that, along with your height, is your "length" (short, regular, long, extra-long).
I had a Wing CC a while back who was a big fellow -- within height/weight guidelines, but still a big guy. Off-the-rack service coats just didn't happen for him; he had to have his made. Looked pretty sharp, too.
Jack
If you can't do measurements at home, go find a tailor, or go to the nearest Macy's, boscov's or sears and try on jackets until you find one that fits. Then (I always found at least) to order one size larger in the jacket and pants as they run small.
Do you have the AAFES MCSS catalog to order from. Inside you should find measuring instructions. If not go to AE.com and check out the instructions they post on line for measuring for jackets.
Good luck. Looking at your pic I would have to say you are probably a 52 or 54.
Let me know if I was even close on the size........ ;D
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 04:08:30 PM
Good luck. Looking at your pick I would have to say you are probably a 52 or 54.
Rotsa ruck finding a 54 service coat. The biggest size I've seen is at The Hock Shop, and it only runs to 52s.
Jack
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Your right! It would entail buying a new white aviator shirt! So you can wear the same blue pants, and the same blue flight cap, and the same insignia on the coat. So SARKID would only be buying a new jacket (corporate) and a new white shirt (of the aviator variety). So actually you can wear the corporate service coat with AF style, minus the blue shirt of course!!!
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 06:34:52 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Your right! It would entail buying a new white aviator shirt! So you can wear the same blue pants, and the same blue flight cap, and the same insignia on the coat. So SARKID would only be buying a new jacket (corporate) and a new white shirt (of the aviator variety). So actually you can wear the corporate service coat with AF style, minus the blue shirt of course!!!
Well I guess you could say its half and half... half corporate and half AF style :D!
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Well, considering I wear corporates right now anyways....
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Well, considering I wear corporates right now anyways....
Really? woo-hoo.......then they absolutly will have your size! Sorry before about suggesting you wear corporates~! Me personally, I don't mind them, they are an alright looking uniform, and will be better when the silver braid disapears!
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 09:21:47 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Well, considering I wear corporates right now anyways....
Really? woo-hoo.......then they absolutly will have your size! Sorry before about suggesting you wear corporates~! Me personally, I don't mind them, they are an alright looking uniform, and will be better when the silver braid disapears!
Silver Braid? Now why would that disappear, thats what officers wear at least on the AF style class A/B
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:26:31 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 09:21:47 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Well, considering I wear corporates right now anyways....
Really? woo-hoo.......then they absolutly will have your size! Sorry before about suggesting you wear corporates~! Me personally, I don't mind them, they are an alright looking uniform, and will be better when the silver braid disapears!
Silver Braid? Now why would that disappear, thats what officers wear at least on the AF style class A/B
Dr. Cox: Wrong wrong wrong wrong...wrong wrong wrong wrong...
Air Force officers wear a dark blue braid on their service jacket sleeve, and no braid on their short/long sleeve service uniforms.
STAMP OUT THE TERM CLASS A IN CAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 09:21:47 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Well, considering I wear corporates right now anyways....
Really? woo-hoo.......then they absolutly will have your size! Sorry before about suggesting you wear corporates~! Me personally, I don't mind them, they are an alright looking uniform, and will be better when the silver braid disapears!
As soon as the sliver braid goes away, I might start wearing the corporate service uniform again.
How would everyone feel if we had a 'CAP' officers braid? Something a different color then the Air Force braid, and something that could be worn on both the Air Force style and Corporate Style?
Quote from: JThemann on March 17, 2008, 11:37:04 PM
How would everyone feel if we had a 'CAP' officers braid? Something a different color then the Air Force braid, and something that could be worn on both the Air Force style and Corporate Style?
Like Ultramarine blue?
Usually when talking about the Corporate Service Uniform combos you mention either "corporate" or TPU.
So, to clarify... You are looking for one of these:
(http://www.vanguardmil.com/store/images/CAP0922A.jpg)
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:26:31 PM
Silver Braid? Now why would that disappear, thats what officers wear at least on the AF style class A/B
People want the silver sleeve and service cap braids to disappear from the CAP distinctive service dress uniform because:
1) They are out of place on a service dress uniform.
2) The Air Force only wears the silver braids on the mess dress, honor guard, and band uniforms.
3) The original reason for the silver sleeve and service cap braids on the CAP distinctive service dress uniform was due to the arrogance of a selfish CAP general who created this uniform to suit himself and make him look more "official."
Now that the disgraced general is gone, a number of his dictator-like decisions have been overturned. It would only make sense to overturn the decision to allow silver braids on the CAP distinctive service dress uniform, in addition to all the other stuff he did.
I honestly don't know why the item to remove the silver sleeve braids at the March NB Meeting was tabled indefinitely.
Quote from: JThemann on March 17, 2008, 11:35:10 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:26:31 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 09:21:47 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 17, 2008, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 05:55:33 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on March 17, 2008, 05:53:32 PM
^ AAFES carries that size. SARKID....why don't you want the new Corporate service coat? >:D
Uh, cuz you can't wear the corporate service coat with your AF style uniform???
Well, considering I wear corporates right now anyways....
Really? woo-hoo.......then they absolutly will have your size! Sorry before about suggesting you wear corporates~! Me personally, I don't mind them, they are an alright looking uniform, and will be better when the silver braid disapears!
Silver Braid? Now why would that disappear, thats what officers wear at least on the AF style class A/B
Dr. Cox: Wrong wrong wrong wrong...wrong wrong wrong wrong...
Air Force officers wear a dark blue braid on their service jacket sleeve, and no braid on their short/long sleeve service uniforms.
STAMP OUT THE TERM CLASS A IN CAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think he was talking about the service cap which uses silver braid... yeah I know the CAP officers wear blue braids on the service coat.
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:48:15 PM
I think he was talking about the service cap which uses silver braid...
But only on the CAP distinctive service dress uniform.
They need to continue to simplify uniform wear... silver braids on certain uniforms and such... /me sighs.
Quote from: CCSE on March 17, 2008, 11:49:43 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:48:15 PM
I think he was talking about the service cap which uses silver braid...
But only on the CAP distinctive service dress uniform.
ONLY on the CAP distinctive? well I guess I need to read 39-1 I was pretty sure the service cap for officers had a silver braid. Now the service COAT on the DISTINCTIVE uniform... that I know has silver braids but not the AF service coat.
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:51:43 PM
ONLY on the CAP distinctive?
Yep, that's correct ma'am. Gotta hand it to whoever taught you uniform standards and wear. ::)
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:51:43 PMwell I guess I need to read 39-1 I was pretty sure the service cap for officers had a silver braid. Now the service COAT on the DISTINCTIVE uniform... that I know has silver braids but not the AF service coat.
Don't worry, it's not entirely your fault. NHQ needs to take the whole CAP officer professional development system and up the standards considerably. It's obvious that whoever taught you about uniforms didn't do a quality job.
When you are an officer you wear the service cap with the silver braid (officers service cap) when wearing the Air Force Service Dress. You also wear a blue braid on the sleeve.
On the Corporate Service Dress you wear the service cap with a blue braid (enlisted service cap) and wear a silver braid on the sleeve.
I think I got that right...had to say it a few times in my head and it still seems a little confusing.
Okay, let me clarify...
The silver sleeve and service cap braids are ONLY for the CAP distinctive service dress uniform. They are NOT to be worn on any AF uniforms for CAP.
This is what happens when changes are made for change's sake; people become confused.
Quote from: CCSE on March 17, 2008, 11:55:38 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:51:43 PM
ONLY on the CAP distinctive?
Yep, that's correct ma'am. Gotta hand it to whoever taught you uniform standards and wear. ::)
Quote from: mynetdude on March 17, 2008, 11:51:43 PMwell I guess I need to read 39-1 I was pretty sure the service cap for officers had a silver braid. Now the service COAT on the DISTINCTIVE uniform... that I know has silver braids but not the AF service coat.
Don't worry, it's not entirely your fault. NHQ needs to take the whole CAP officer professional development system and up the standards considerably. It's obvious that whoever taught you about uniforms didn't do a quality job.
/me shakes head... its Sir...
Quote from: edmo1 on March 17, 2008, 11:57:26 PM
When you are an officer you wear the service cap with the silver braid (officers service cap) when wearing the Air Force Service Dress. You also wear a blue braid on the sleeve.
On the Corporate Service Dress you wear the service cap with a blue braid (enlisted service cap) and wear a silver braid on the sleeve.
I think I got that right...had to say it a few times in my head and it still seems a little confusing.
Well that kindof makes sense now... AF service = silver braid on cap, Corporate service = silver braid on coat. IMHO get rid of it period... on AF too.. :P
Quote from: CCSE on March 17, 2008, 11:42:44 PM
I honestly don't know why the item to remove the silver sleeve braids at the March NB Meeting was tabled indefinitely.
Most likely the AF guy said "hey before the meeting starts, I want this agenda item tables indefinitely, and if it is brought up, I will non-concur on every other agenda item that is presented". Or the AF guy says "hahahahahahahahaha hahahahaha hahahah" or the AF guy says "you people elected TP, now you get to live with your mistake, hahahahahahahha".
OR, in all reality, Vanguard said "NO CAP, we need to make more money".
Quote from: mynetdude on March 18, 2008, 03:11:17 AM
/me shakes head... its Sir...
Whoops. Sorry, sir.
I made the same mistake on another forum with a woman named Chris... I thought she was male because of her name.
Quote from: CCSE on March 18, 2008, 04:19:06 AM
Quote from: mynetdude on March 18, 2008, 03:11:17 AM
/me shakes head... its Sir...
Whoops. Sorry, sir.
I made the same mistake on another forum with a woman named Chris... I thought she was male because of her name.
No worries, we need to have avatars here :) now that'd be cool then I'd post my pic of me in uniform which is the same pic on eServices for my ID card.
Just so's everyone gets it straight:
AF SERVICE DRESS
Blue flight cap with the following piping: dark blue for cadets, senior members without grade and senior member NCOs; blue and silver diamond ('zipper') piping for senior member officers colonel and below; full silver piping for general officers.
Service cap: Black leather chinstrap for all; black leather visor for Captain and below; black visor with four 'farts and darts' for Major-Colonel; black visor with six 'farts and darts' for general officers. (The female service cap makes no difference between FGOs and GOs - the 'farts and darts' are worn flanking the cap insignia.
Service dress jacket: Officers wear dark blue 5/8" sleeve braid 3" from end of sleeve. General officers wear 1-1/4" sleeve braid 3" from end of sleeve. Cadets, senior members without grade and senior member NCOs do not wear sleeve braid. Officer service dress jacket has epaulets; the enlisted one does not.
CAP CORPORATE SERVICE DRESS
Blue flight cap with the following piping: dark blue for cadets, senior members without grade and senior member NCOs; blue and silver diamond ('zipper') piping for senior member officers colonel and below; full silver piping for general officers.
Service cap: Black leather chinstrap for cadet officers, senior members without grade and senior member NCOs; silver chinstrap for officers. Black leather visor for Captain and below; black visor with four 'farts and darts' for Major-Colonel; black visor with six 'farts and darts' for general officers. (The female service cap makes no difference between FGOs and GOs - the 'farts and darts' are worn flanking the cap insignia.
Service dress jacket: Officers wear silver 5/8" sleeve braid 3" from end of sleeve. General officers wear 1-1/4" sleeve braid 3" from end of sleeve. Cadets, senior members without grade and senior member NCOs do not wear sleeve braid.
Ummm....yeah....I'm gonna take my thread back now.
I'm meeting one of my squadron members who is a bit "husky" and am going to try on/borrow his service coat. Its only for milball and he's not going so hopefully it will work. I tried on some size 50s from our supply cage and no dice.
Go to a suit shop, or tux rental place. They can probably size you.
Sizing for a coat comes, IMO, two parts. 1) is determining your general size, find a coat that fits your shoulders, and chest right. 2) this is the part that is almost never done. Get it tailored. Unless you are a perfect size, it isn't going to be a perfect fit.
For example, I wear a 38 Jacket. It fits my shoulders exactly where it should and the chest measurement is right on. However, when I got it there was a little extra fabric at the waist that I had to get taken in so it didn't look like I was wearing a potato sack.
Don't forget to do step 2!