TPU or Blazer Combo?

[Hawk200]

A curiousity question: If you were in the market for other than the Air Force blue uniforms, which corporate dress combination would you choose?

For those of you that have both Corporate Dress Uniforms, tell us which one you wear the most, and compare the two. If you want, tell us what you might change on either one

For those of you that have neither, if you are considering wearing an alternate, which would you go with?

I'm pretty much looking for comparisons between the Blazer combo and the TPU, not corporates or TPU vs. the Air Force blues.

[LtCol White]

I can and do wear the USAF uniform but if I had to choose between the TPU and a Blazer, I'd take the Blazer

[davedove]

I would wear the Blazer because I don't meet the grooming standards to wear the TPU.  I would wear the TPU if I could keep the beard.

[SarDragon]

I have the same problem as Mr. Dove, however, I would still wear the blazer if the TPU was a real option for me.

[NEBoom]

FWIW, I wear the Blazer combo because that's what I already own (sidenote: I still wear the Aviator shirt/Grey combination too).  If I'm going to shell out the $$$ for a dress uniform, it's going to be the AF style.  Which is my plan once I drop another 15lbs...

[PhotogPilot]

I'd wear the TPU (I have the blue trousers/aviator shirt/blue grade slides combo, but not the $160 Service Coat).

1. I meet grooming, but not weight standards. I would not have a problem with neatly trimmed facial hair, but that is, after all, more controllable than a person's weight.

2. The TPU looks more "military", and a double breasted coat can look OK on a bigger guy, if tailored properly (it's harder than a single breasted coat, but doable within limits).

3. The grey trousers would not be as bad if there were a standardized fabric, shade and cut. I have seen in a single squadron meeting grey: pleated and flat front, poly/cotton, 100% cotton, and wool. EMT trousers and suit trousers. Light grey, dark grey and every shade in between. AF shade 1625 blue trousers are pertty specific, everyone in them looks the same.

3. The blue trousers just look better, and darker colors are slimming.

4. The blue grade slides look better. I would not object if we went back to CAP embroidered on them.

5. If I do pick up the service coat at some point, I like the metal grade, mainly because the grey slides just were not designed to go on a service coat, they dont lay correctly and look wrong.

6. The blazer is fine for a frat house or bank security, but CAP is a ParaMILITARY organization, and some of us who don't meet weight standards like having a more military looking option. I had a hard time staying under 200lbs at 18, at 48 fuggit 'bout it, ain't happ'nin.  

I know I don't score any poularity points here, but I would like to see CAP shift it's culture, to one more along the lines of the Marine Corps relationship to the Navy. That's a separate branch of service, with it's own uniforms, culture and traditions, but still tied to the parent service. I believe that this would be possible, with work from both the USAF and CAP, it would keep us part of the AF family, and people would not keep getting so worked up over this or that uniform issue. I know, I'll get a couple dozen responses on how totally stupid my idea is, and few with how wonderful of an idea it is, but it's my opinion, and opinions are like rear ends, everyone has one, and they all stink.

[Camas]

The TPU is really a sharp looking uniform; there are a number of ORWG members who wear it.  But I have yet to see the new CAP service coat; here in ORWG I'm not aware of anyone who owns one.  While I do wear the white shirt/blue trousers combination now and then I still prefer the blazer.  It's a versatile uniform which can be worn for so many various types of activities.

[AlphaSigOU]

I've got the TPU service dress coat; politics aside it's not that bad-looking. The silver sleeve braid looks so out of place - can you say mass confusion with Navy officer sleeve grade? (Sure have a lot of ensigns... )

I don't mind the silver chinstrap on the bus driver cap, but they oughta either change the sleeve braid to dark blue or remove it altogether. The lapels could be made a little narrower to expose more area  for the ribbon rack and wings.

One minor alteration that one should do to both AF-style and TPU service coats: the large buttons are only secured by a clip. For whatever reason, the buttons suffered from a case of 'jingle-jangle-jingle' and never could lay down correctly (the CAP crest buttons should have the eagle facing up) A little reinforcement and - voilá! - problem solved.

I still would like to see CAP come back sewn to the blue epaulets; they already do for blue FO/TFO/SFO. grade.

[Lancer]

As a relatively new member, I chose to go the route of the 'TPU'. It's nice to have a military style uniform to wear because the weight restrictions keep me out of the AF Blues, which I DON'T have a problem with. If I ever get within the weight requirements, I'd probably opt to wear them, as a matter of personal achievement for me.

I like the fact that we're allowed to wear 'hardware' on the service coat. But agree with others that having CAP embroidered on the blue slides wouldn't be a bad idea.

I'm seeing more and more folks wearing this new uniform style in MIWG and glad to see that. I know it's personal choice, but I'm somewhat puzzled by folks who are WELL within regs to wear the AF uniform, but have chosen to wear the new alternate. Don't get me wrong, aside from feeling like a Navy Admiral, I like the way it looks, but really, if I had the option, well...ya know.

As an aside, I highly agree with PhotogPilot's statement below, and think a separate thread discussing this might be useful.

3. The grey trousers would not be as bad if there were a standardized fabric, shade and cut. I have seen in a single squadron meeting grey: pleated and flat front, poly/cotton, 100% cotton, and wool. EMT trousers and suit trousers. Light grey, dark grey and every shade in between. AF shade 1625 blue trousers are pertty specific, everyone in them looks the same.

[mikeylikey]

I still would like to see CAP come back sewn to the blue epaulets; they already do for blue FO/TFO/SFO. grade.

Why??  Not only is it another waste of money item.....but will only be available thorugh Vanguard.  No to you on that idea and everyone else with that idea?  If you have such a hard time wearing it for whatever reason, don't wear it.  NOT DIRECTED JUST AT YOU!

[Hawk200]

I still would like to see CAP come back sewn to the blue epaulets; they already do for blue FO/TFO/SFO. grade.

The only flight officer epaulets I've seen in the last few years are these:

http://www.civilairpatrolstore.com/store/view_product.php?product=19499

http://www.civilairpatrolstore.com/store/view_product.php?product=19498

http://www.civilairpatrolstore.com/store/view_product.php?product=19497

I don't think the old blue ones are authorized.

[jimmydeanno]

Ahhh, well you see, therein lies the problem.  A lack of planning.

Since FOs can wear the TPU and the epaulet sleeves are supposed to be blue...

[Hawk200]

Ahhh, well you see, therein lies the problem.  A lack of planning.

Since FOs can wear the TPU and the epaulet sleeves are supposed to be blue...

Ah, I see your reasoning. And I wonder how National addressed this. I don't think Vanguard makes blue FO epaulets right now at all. Looks like a lack of planning on someone's part.

[mikeylikey]

^^  Cause if they make them then you will have those FO's putting them on the AF style as well, because as it is very clear here.....the whole issue is CONFUSING!

[Hawk200]

^^  Cause if they make them then you will have those FO's putting them on the AF style as well, because as it is very clear here.....the whole issue is CONFUSING!

Confusing? How can you say that? It's as clear as mud!


Wait a minute...

[ColonelJack]

I find it interesting that, in spite of the many negative comments directed toward the corporate blues, a majority of those responding prefer it.

Interesting.

Jack

[Hawk200]

I find it interesting that, in spite of the many negative comments directed toward the corporate blues, a majority of those responding prefer it.

Interesting.

Jack

It seems to be here to stay. I may not care for it, but I think a statement that someone made earlier about the fact that any person wearing it properly looks just like the next person wearing it properly, that is a very compelling argument to ditch the blazer combo. We don't need three uniforms to represent the same organization.

Now if we could get all insignia worn in the same manner, we might actually be able to achieve a uniformity concept that has escaped us for a decade or three. Seriously, if you have two people, one in corporate, the other in Air Force, looking almost the same except for shirt color it would definitely present a more uniform appearance of the organization as a whole.

[ddelaney103]

I find it interesting that, in spite of the many negative comments directed toward the corporate blues, a majority of those responding prefer it.

Interesting.

Jack

It seems to be here to stay. I may not care for it, but I think a statement that someone made earlier about the fact that any person wearing it properly looks just like the next person wearing it properly, that is a very compelling argument to ditch the blazer combo. We don't need three uniforms to represent the same organization.

Now if we could get all insignia worn in the same manner, we might actually be able to achieve a uniformity concept that has escaped us for a decade or three. Seriously, if you have two people, one in corporate, the other in Air Force, looking almost the same except for shirt color it would definitely present a more uniform appearance of the organization as a whole.

The problem is we have divided our SM's into three categories based on characteristics:  the fit, the fat and the fuzzy.  Either we need to come up with a uniform that will accommodate heavy people and people who can't/won't meet grooming standards, or we need to drop them from CAP.  Well, option 1 is difficult and option 2 is stupid, so we're left with the status quo.

Personally, if we could come up with relaxed grooming standards (like fire, police, or WWII USN) we could just go with the TPU.  Expensive, but I'd go for it if it meant we were uniform.

[RiverAux]

The TPU looks fine to me.  I've never got as worked up about it as others -- its just one more sign of the failure of CAP and the AF to come up with a reasonable approach to uniforms. 

[SAR-EMT1]

Ahhh, well you see, therein lies the problem.  A lack of planning.

Since FOs can wear the TPU and the epaulet sleeves are supposed to be blue...

Ah, I see your reasoning. And I wonder how National addressed this. I don't think Vanguard makes blue FO epaulets right now at all. Looks like a lack of planning on someone's part.

Know one. He is also in AFROTC. His solution was to check out a pair of Black AFROTC- CAPT rank. - black, two white stripes. Problem solved.

[DrDave]

Blazer combo.  Already have a blazer that works fine with magnetic pocket crest/rank thingy -- didn't have to shell out another $160-$200+ for another coat.

I decided if I'm going to wear a "military" style uniform, I'm wearing the AF service dress.  Not an imitation.

Dr. Dave

[MIKE]

Ahhh, well you see, therein lies the problem.  A lack of planning.

Since FOs can wear the TPU and the epaulet sleeves are supposed to be blue...

Ah, I see your reasoning. And I wonder how National addressed this. I don't think Vanguard makes blue FO epaulets right now at all. Looks like a lack of planning on someone's part.

Nobody gives a [mess] about flight officers.    Are they gonna bring back the metal flight officer grade for the TPU and windbreaker?  They never had plastic encased grade for the bags either, and they only recently came out with shoulder boards for mess dress.

[Hawk200]

Nobody gives a [mess] about flight officers.    Are they gonna bring back the metal flight officer grade for the TPU and windbreaker?  They never had plastic encased grade for the bags either, and they only recently came out with shoulder boards for mess dress.

Ironic, considering Vanguard likes to make money. And FO's promote faster than other officers, so they would be purchasing more often.

Then again, a FO-1 bar would look virtually identical to a CW-5 bar. Which could create a few problems of it's own.

[davedove]

Already have a blazer that works fine with magnetic pocket crest/rank thingy

Which makes it very practical.  To go from completely civilian to a CAP uniform, all you have to do is put on the "thingy".

[Lancer]

Which makes it very practical.  To go from completely civilian to a CAP uniform, all you have to do is put on the "thingy".

Practical is one thing, but in my mind I can't consider the 'blazer combo' a 'uniform' because of the, as you put it, 'completely civilian' aspect.

I like the way the blazer combo looks, but I don't think it's something I would consider for wear to a regular squadron/group/wing meeting.

The usefulness of the blazer combo for me is circumstances where a uniform might be considered 'a bit much'. Example's of this would be meeting with a local school board or official to talk about CAP, or maybe a function at a United Way or Rotary Club meeting/dinner where your unit is the receipt of some award or donation.

Of course if I was attending a similar event at a VFW or American Legion hall, I'd opt for he AF Blues/Corporate Alternative and maybe even wear it on a 'second' visit to a school board meeting.

Just my two cents and now I am broke...

[SarDragon]

Well, unfortunately, that's all that us fuzzy guys have in the way of a coat and tie style uniform.

[Chappie]

Blazer combo.  Already have a blazer that works fine with magnetic pocket crest/rank thingy -- didn't have to shell out another $160-$200+ for another coat.

I decided if I'm going to wear a "military" style uniform, I'm wearing the AF service dress.  Not an imitation.

Dr. Dave

My sentiments exactly.  I will not wear the TPU under any condition -- even in the event I may not meet weight/height standards.  If I put on the extra poundage I will then wear the white aviator/grey slacks.

[Hawk200]

I find it interesting that after a little time, the votes indicate almost even as to what people choose. Kinda leaves me wondering. How do we attempt a uniformity within CAP if there are three uniforms, and the membership is almost uniformly divided in which one they'd choose?

[DrDave]

I feel it points out the uselessness of this thread (not the poll).

And that the desire for "uniformity" of dress is a non-issue in CAP, despite the frequent threads on CAPtalk that attempt to suggest otherwise.

Bottomline: hard to enforce uniformity in an all-volunteer organization.

Dr. Dave

[Hawk200]

I feel it points out the uselessness of this thread (not the poll).

And that the desire for "uniformity" of dress is a non-issue in CAP, despite the frequent threads on CAPtalk that attempt to suggest otherwise.

Bottomline: hard to enforce uniformity in an all-volunteer organization.

Dr. Dave

The thread wasn't useless when it was on track. When it strayed was when the original purpose was lost.

It was mostly personal curiousity, but I figured there were others that probably had the same questions.

Anyway, are there any more inputs on choices and reasoning? (Yeah, a cheap attempt to get back on track)

[Pylon]

Ahhh, well you see, therein lies the problem.  A lack of planning.

Since FOs can wear the TPU and the epaulet sleeves are supposed to be blue...

Ah, I see your reasoning. And I wonder how National addressed this. I don't think Vanguard makes blue FO epaulets right now at all. Looks like a lack of planning on someone's part.

Nobody gives a [mess] about flight officers.    Are they gonna bring back the metal flight officer grade for the TPU and windbreaker?  They never had plastic encased grade for the bags either, and they only recently came out with shoulder boards for mess dress.

Vanguard makes blue flight officer epaulets to match the USAF ones for the other CAP senior members:  Evidence.

As for metal insignia... well, probably not thought of.