BDU creases

[RogueLeader]

they came starched stiffly enough to play Wipeout on.

Turn them into a drum set, huh? Wow. . .

[ladyreferee]

I asked about creases in BDU's for the reason that some cadets have it in their heads that they have to be creased and if they aren't, the cadet gets marked down on inspection.  My sons both iron their own BDUs and won't even wear their blouses in the car to the meeting (40 minute drive) so that there aren't any wrinkles, yet will, depending on who is performing the inspection, get marked down!  Bugs me and them, especially since it isn't required.

[Eclipse]

All but the set in my 72 hour gear (crammed and jammed in the bottom) are starched like cardboard
by the cleaners and have never been machine washed.

The result is that after years of hard wear, even in the actual field, they still look and feel new.

[SarDragon]

All but the set in my 72 hour gear (crammed and jammed in the bottom) are starched like cardboard by the cleaners and have never been machine washed.

And how do the cleaners clean them? They, to the best of my knowledge, use giant size front load washing machines with water and some kind of soap or detergent. Then they get dunked in starch, and pressed on the big pressing machine.

[Grumpy]

As a former SP, I still starch my BDUs (even the blue ones). Why? Because it shows that I still care enough to at least try to project as military an image as possible. In the AF, we kept two sets of uniforms, one of day-to-day that had the living daylights starched out of them and that we wore with our highly-polished jump boots, and we kept a complete issue of un-pressed uniforms in our duffel bags for deployments.

Boy does that bring back memories.  I started out in SAC as an Air Policeman (AP) and I remember wearing weights in our pant legs.   They weren't called BDUs then, they were fatigues.

Brian Billing

Tags - MIKE

[Grumpy]

Oops!  I was supposed to be replying to Gene but it looks like it was my statement.

Sorry

Brian Billing

[Sgt. Savage]

I asked about creases in BDU's for the reason that some cadets have it in their heads that they have to be creased and if they aren't, the cadet gets marked down on inspection.  My sons both iron their own BDUs and won't even wear their blouses in the car to the meeting (40 minute drive) so that there aren't any wrinkles, yet will, depending on who is performing the inspection, get marked down!  Bugs me and them, especially since it isn't required.

Major,

I would suggest making the DCC aware of the regulation, open a discussion regarding the spirit of the reg, and suggest that promoting a system of demerit that punishes cadets for not meeting a standard that not only exceeds the regulation but, sets an unrealistic expectation for performance might be hazing.

We have our own uniform problems in my squadron. Some set the standard, some exceed it, and some don't even try to come close to it. It's the ones that put no effort forward that require remedial training in the wear of the uniform as well as a talk regarding respecting the uniform and those who give us the privilege of wearing it.

That having been said, creases are not required. Presenting a pressed appearance is. Starch is helpful. Polish is needed to keep boots looking good. All of these things are reflections of personal discipline and reflect favorably on the individual and the corp.

[SARMedTech]

Uh Rah!

[Grumpy]

As a former SP, I still starch my BDUs (even the blue ones). Why? Because it shows that I still care enough to at least try to project as military an image as possible. In the AF, we kept two sets of uniforms, one of day-to-day that had the living daylights starched out of them and that we wore with our highly-polished jump boots, and we kept a complete issue of un-pressed uniforms in our duffel bags for deployments.

81170 or 81172?

[LtCol White]

Basically, required by regs or not, each unit needs to determine what the requirement for their meetings and activies for the BDU's and communicate it to the members. Nothing prevents a Sq from enacting a requirement like this.

Clearly they look sharp all pressed and creased. For this reason, many of my cadets have 2 sets - one for the field and one for meetings/public events. This is a good practice for promoting a squared away image for CAP.

[Cadet Airman First Class]

Where does it say we are not allowed to have starch or mil creases.

It doesn't say no starch. I use a little fabric sizing on mine every now and then. Can't use starch, I'm allergic to it.

As for military creases, check Table 2-1 in 39-1. It states "Military creases are prohibited." That is for both shirts and blouses. If you want to get technical, it doesn't forbid them on BDU's, but it's kinda pointless on utility uniforms.

In my squadron (NQH-OS-126) we have military creases, but we don't have much of a choice since we live on and airforce base they don't do anything else and you can't do it at home very well. so we take them to the military shops

[manfredvonrichthofen]

Where does it say we are not allowed to have starch or mil creases.

It doesn't say no starch. I use a little fabric sizing on mine every now and then. Can't use starch, I'm allergic to it.

As for military creases, check Table 2-1 in 39-1. It states "Military creases are prohibited." That is for both shirts and blouses. If you want to get technical, it doesn't forbid them on BDU's, but it's kinda pointless on utility uniforms.

In my squadron (NQH-OS-126) we have military creases, but we don't have much of a choice since we live on and airforce base they don't do anything else and you can't do it at home very well. so we take them to the military shops

You put two creases down the front of your blouse and three down the back? That is military creasing. Creasing your sleeves and your trousers isn't military creasing. There is a big difference and I would highly suggest you ensure you know the difference. Otherwise you could get your chain of command into some trouble by saying they make you use military creases.