Corporate (aka TPU) Service Dress - anyone already get one?

[AlphaSigOU]

Just a quick check to see if anyone's already taken the plunge and gotten the new CAP corporate service dress (aka TPU service dress). Never mind all the negative comments about being a rip-off of RealAirForce® service dress. Comments on fit, anything special needed to be done to it (tailoring, etc. - I know the braid has to be added to the sleeves), etc.

Considering I'm the only guy in my squadron who wears TPUs (someone's gotta do it... everybody else wears grays, AF-style or the lazy-man's polo shirt combo.  )

[SJFedor]

I saw one person wearing it a month or so ago. No idea what they had to do to it, but all things considered, it looked ok.

I mean, better then the greys and/or polo, at least.

[thefischNX01]

i got one, but just for those formal occasions where the Region Commander comes down...she prefers the TPU over Air Force blues. 

Personally, it's not that bad.  It has its faults, but it could be much worse

[A.Member]

Nope...and never will.

[DNall]

Nope...and never will.

Second.

I don't like it, but it doesn't look terrible. The whole thing is just too wierd. They just got to put CAP on those epaulets.

Anyway, you can get away with just about anything at Sq, but the couple I've talked to that wore that on an AFB, man the reax was not good.

[Hawk200]

Nope...and never will.

Second.

I don't like it, but it doesn't look terrible. The whole thing is just too wierd. They just got to put CAP on those epaulets.

Anyway, you can get away with just about anything at Sq, but the couple I've talked to that wore that on an AFB, man the reax was not good.

I imagine that "not good" is probably put milidly. I don't care for it, for those reasons. I guess it looks OK (looking at the appearance objectively), except the silver braid is gaudy. I think it was released in the wrong manner.

Even the Air Force listened to the ranks when it came to the original tiger stripe smurf suit.

[Major Carrales]

As always, Star Trek provides the answer...

The Trek Version of the "USAF Style..."


The Trek version of the "Corporate Style Uniform..."


'nuff said 

[mikeylikey]

Nope...and never will.

Second.

I don't like it, but it doesn't look terrible. The whole thing is just too wierd. They just got to put CAP on those epaulets.

Anyway, you can get away with just about anything at Sq, but the couple I've talked to that wore that on an AFB, man the reax was not good.

What was the reaction the members in nthe TPU got?  In what way was it negative?

Why do they need to put CAP on the epaulets, it is already on the collar??

[AlphaSigOU]

Nope...and never will.

Second.

I don't like it, but it doesn't look terrible. The whole thing is just too wierd. They just got to put CAP on those epaulets.

Anyway, you can get away with just about anything at Sq, but the couple I've talked to that wore that on an AFB, man the reax was not good.

What was the reaction the members in nthe TPU got?  In what way was it negative?

Why do they need to put CAP on the epaulets, it is already on the collar??

I think what he meant was is if they were gonna reissue blue epaulets fot the TPU shirt, they shoulda brought back the blue epaulets with the grade and CAP instead of using the standard issue USAF officer shoulder marks.

[DNall]

Nope...and never will.

Second.

I don't like it, but it doesn't look terrible. The whole thing is just too wierd. They just got to put CAP on those epaulets.

Anyway, you can get away with just about anything at Sq, but the couple I've talked to that wore that on an AFB, man the reax was not good.

What was the reaction the members in nthe TPU got?  In what way was it negative?

Why do they need to put CAP on the epaulets, it is already on the collar??

Highly negative! Suspicious SFs, mistaken slautes followed by explitives, overall it appeared like a bad attempt to imitate an AF officer & did not make the AF personnel think of the person wearing this as part of their team - so, not good. I would tend to agree with them. The fact is in just the wrong light from a few feet away you just can't tell that shirt is white. Once you can tell it's just wierd.

I was referring to "CAP" on the blue slides for the shirt. Just embroider it the AF slides. Bonus is it's a stepping stone to standardize back that way on the blue shirt down the road. It's not a stepping stone now, but it does put those things in the hands of people who own both a blue & white shirt. I havea  member who "accidently" puts the blue slides on a blues shirt. What happens when the AF sees that a few times? It's just too much potential for disaster for too little gained.

[CAPLAW]

well said

[SJFedor]

As always, Star Trek provides the answer...

The Trek version of the "Corporate Style Uniform..."


'nuff said 

He looks like he's droppin a dookie in that picture.

[Nick Critelli]

I prefer  the TPU  "Class B"  (my term) to the grey, especially when worn with the black Army or Navy windbreaker or leather jacket.  The double brested jacket looks fine however I won't buy on until they put the US back on the lapels.  Just my personal stubbornness. 

[Hawk200]

The double brested jacket looks fine however I won't buy on until they put the US back on the lapels.  Just my personal stubbornness. 

Probably not going to happen. The TPU was not a military uniform, even though it aspired to it. The Air Force service dress is, and it was a simple matter of getting U.S. on it. The Air Force already wore it.

[SJFedor]

Watch, give it 2 or 3 chiefs of staff, and the TPU will be the new USAF service dress, minus the white shirt.

*sigh* we should all wear zoombags, you can't really screw up a zoombag too much.

[DNall]

You'd be suprised.

There's nothing wrong with the current AF service dress. The complaint is just that it looks too civilian, so the next version will be more military looking. However, Army is first in line as they make their formal blues into an everyday uniform. AF won't be before that gets done & won't look like the already rejected couple versions we've seen. Hopefully it won't cost $200 like the current version.

[A.Member]

The double brested jacket looks fine...

No, it doesn't.  And while I'm not exactly a fashion guru, I do know this...a person that finds themselves to be above weight standards should never, I repeat never, wear a double breasted coat - it only accentuates "the bulge".  A bit of a fashion faux pas.   It was a very poor uniform choice.  Hell, even TP himself doesn't wear it (nor should he).

[Hawk200]

Hell, even TP himself doesn't wear it (nor should he).

Doesn't wear what? If you're talking about the double breasted corp. service coat, that seems to be about the only thing I do see him in, in any picture in the last few months.

[A.Member]

Hell, even TP himself doesn't wear it (nor should he).

Doesn't wear what? If you're talking about the double breasted corp. service coat, that seems to be about the only thing I do see him in, in any picture in the last few months.

Really?  Huh.  Then I stand corrected.  I've never seen a photo with him in it - nor do I feel the need to. 

[ColonelJack]

I have one.  I think it looks good.

[ColonelJack]

And yes, I know it's supposed to have CAP cutouts and the two-line nameplate.  I had the picture taken when the jacket arrived, before the change to the other cutouts/nameplate.

Jack

[Hawk200]

Hell, even TP himself doesn't wear it (nor should he).

Doesn't wear what? If you're talking about the double breasted corp. service coat, that seems to be about the only thing I do see him in, in any picture in the last few months.

Really?  Huh.  Then I stand corrected.  I've never seen a photo with him in it - nor do I feel the need to. 

Never seen him in photo with it? Wow. But I will be nice, and I won't post any photos.

[Major Carrales]

I have one.  I think it looks good.

Wow!  I'm tempted to buy one.  It doesn't look half bad.

I'll wait until summer...I hear the USAF if going to a new service coat and I'm affraid if given the choice I would get the USAF style one.

[MIKE]

ColonelJack, just an FYI:  You can't wear the specialty badge below the nametag.  The commanders badge has taken the spot where the second specialty badge can be worn.

[Hawk200]

I have one.  I think it looks good.

Wow!  I'm tempted to buy one.  It doesn't look half bad.

I'll wait until summer...I hear the USAF if going to a new service coat and I'm affraid if given the choice I would get the USAF style one.

The new Air Force service dress is going to take a bit. Even if the AF decides by summer, we won't see it for a while.

Besides you already have service dress now. Why buy something new when what you have is perfectly acceptable?

[A.Member]

Never seen him in photo with it? Wow. But I will be nice, and I won't post any photos.

I appreciate your mercy. 

...I hear the USAF if going to a new service coat and I'm affraid if given the choice I would get the USAF style one.

Are you referring to the Hap Arnold/Billy Mitchell coats?  If so, that'd be quite a ways off (if ever...neither designs have received very favorable feedback).

[Hawk200]

I appreciate your mercy. 

No problem, brother, what are friends for? 

Are you referring to the Hap Arnold/Billy Mitchell coats? ... (if ever...neither designs have received very favorable feedback).

That surprises me. A friend is still active duty, and from what he's heard, people like them. Apparently a number of folks want the lapel'ed coat (the Arnold model) for service dress, and the high collar (Mitchell model) as a formal uniform.

Personally, I like the high collar. I will concede that it looks like it might be uncomfortable. But in the thoughts of Charles Schultz's most loveable beagle: "Some of us sacrafice comfort for style."

[ColonelJack]

Thanks, Mike ... I'll get that corrected immediately.  I can never keep up with what can be worn where.

Jack

[Major_Chuck]

I have one.  I think it looks good.

Yes Jack.  You strike quite a pose in your new dud's.  I'm still straddling the fence.

[SarDragon]

I'm not allowed to wear it, so y'all enjoy.

[MIKE]

No, you enjoy not needing to shave.

[Chappie]

Not planning on purchasing the TPU.  Will wear either the USAF style uniform or the blazer combo - grey slacks with white aviator shirt.    Have spent enough money on CAP uniforms.  Besides I think wearing the TPU on an active AFB looks ridiculous.

[ColonelJack]

I'm confused as to how wearing a CAP uniform on an AF base would look bad.  Back in the day, we wore AF uniforms with CAP cutouts on the collar, metal rank on the shoulders, special name plates, wing patches (!), and -- it didn't look ridiculous, even on those "larger" than uniform regs.  (This was before AF insisted we meet weight/height standards.) 

The only real difference between the AF service coat and the Corporate Service Coat is the double-breasted style (even the pocket welts are the same) and -- we're wearing CAP cutouts, metal rank on the shoulders, and special name plates. 

If your main objection is the double-breasted style of the coat, look at photos of those wearing the uniform.  It's not bad.  Really.  But if your objection is to how the uniform came to us, or who proposed it, then that's a whole different ball of wax.

Jack

[sandman]

I appreciate your mercy. 

No problem, brother, what are friends for? 

Are you referring to the Hap Arnold/Billy Mitchell coats? ... (if ever...neither designs have received very favorable feedback).

That surprises me. A friend is still active duty, and from what he's heard, people like them. Apparently a number of folks want the lapel'ed coat (the Arnold model) for service dress, and the high collar (Mitchell model) as a formal uniform.

Personally, I like the high collar. I will concede that it looks like it might be uncomfortable. But in the thoughts of Charles Schultz's most loveable beagle: "Some of us sacrafice comfort for style."

Eh...high collars ain't that bad....

[Major_Chuck]

I prefer  the TPU  "Class B"  (my term) to the grey, especially when worn with the black Army or Navy windbreaker or leather jacket.  The double brested jacket looks fine however I won't buy on until they put the US back on the lapels.  Just my personal stubbornness. 

Here Here!  I totally agree!

[Monty]

When the USAF switched to its current shade and style of service dress from its older "double-knit" variety, I was greatly disappointed with the material in the new version; some poly-wool combo that wrinkled far too much and was a mega lint magnet.

Is the new Corporate style service dress coat the same material as the current USAF service jacket?  I sure hope not.

(I used to wait patiently for the oft-mentioned "wool-sensitive" variety that the USAF swore was coming...I planned to jump on that wagon in the hopes that the newer style dress coat would NOT be made in poly-wool for those willing to pay a bit extra...never saw that come to pass.)

By the way, in speaking with my CAP boss, he swears that it is some sort of men's dress etiquette to never put hefty types in a double-breasted suit of any sort.  If the weight standards are off with this new get-up, and the thing is poly-wool, wow....  How many taboos can we knock out in one setting?

[brasda91]

Just a quick check to see if anyone's already taken the plunge and gotten the new CAP corporate service dress (aka TPU service dress).   )

Sorry for the ignorance, TPU stands for _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ ?

[AlphaSigOU]

Just a quick check to see if anyone's already taken the plunge and gotten the new CAP corporate service dress (aka TPU service dress).   )

Sorry for the ignorance, TPU stands for _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ ?

Tony
Pineda's
Uniform

[davedove]

I'm not allowed to wear it, so y'all enjoy.

No, you enjoy not needing to shave.

That's my biggest gripe with this uniform.  If they are going to design a corporate uniform, they ought to make one that everyone can wear.  For those of us who chose to wear facial hair, we cannot wear this uniform.

[AlphaSigOU]

Proof positive that the powers that be didn't think it through when they designed the TPU. I wouldn't have a problem with a well-trimmed beard/mustache on the TPU.

[SAR-EMT1]

What kind of reaction do you figure the NHQ staff gets every day at the gate to Maxwell when they wear the TPU? 

Does SF salute them or just try not to giggle.

[A.Member]

What kind of reaction do you figure the NHQ staff gets every day at the gate to Maxwell when they wear the TPU? 

Does SF salute them or just try not to giggle.

The latter, I'm sure.  They are ridculous looking.  The latest issue of "Volunteer" includes a number of examples as to why this silly outfit should be dumped. 

[Ned]

What kind of reaction do you figure the NHQ staff gets every day at the gate to Maxwell when they wear the TPU? 

The NHQ staff does not routinely wear uniforms.  Indeed, most are not CAP members.  Members of the Corporate Team wear civilian clothes while conducting the business of the corporation.

[SAR-EMT1]

What kind of reaction do you figure the NHQ staff gets every day at the gate to Maxwell when they wear the TPU? 

The NHQ staff does not routinely wear uniforms.  Indeed, most are not CAP members.  Members of the Corporate Team wear civilian clothes while conducting the business of the corporation.

I was aware that NHQ had 'civilian' staffers but I didnt ever imagine that they outnumbered the CAP and USAF staff. Id be interested to know what the breakdown is.

[thefischNX01]

I actually got one, just because I wanted to try it on and see how it looked. 

A friend of mine said it looked "pimped".  I kinda like it, although I'd rather wear the Air Force style Blues for now.

a review of it can be found at http://air-patrolman.blogspot.com/

[ColonelJack]

I don;t know about it being "pimped," but I would wear mine primarily because I'm just a bit on the heavy side for the AF blues.  (I have a set of AF blues and am trying to slim down into them, but hey ... it's easier to put the pounds on than it is to take them off.)  The Corporate uniform is so similar to AF, yet so different from them, that it's an actual pleasure to put it on.

Your mileage, of course, will vary.

Jack

[afgeo4]

I would think that many airmen would confuse the uniform for a foreign air force officer's uniform, but without the "equivalency ID", it would cause some funny faces. Personally, I think the TPU would draw better reactions than the grays.