how to get a crease in BDU pants

[CadetColonelToBe]

I tried for an hour or two to get my pants creased yet when I put my uniform on for my meeting and I didn't  have creases. I ironed it with heavy duty starch and yet I STILL did not have creases in my uniform... can someone PLEASE help me?!?!?!?

[Eclipse]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

[ZombieButter]

Can't, unless you have lots of pressure... If I remember correctly 39-1 doesn't say to have creases, just a CAP thing... Since the pants aren't made to have creases it is best to just dry clean them. 

[AngelWings]

Dry cleaners will do the trick. That's how it is done, unles you own a steamboard thingamijig that costs a ridiculous amount of money and is more used by people like the Old Guard.

[CadetColonelToBe]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

[JayT]

I tried for an hour or two to get my pants creased yet when I put my uniform on for my meeting and I didn't  have creases. I ironed it with heavy duty starch and yet I STILL did not have creases in my uniform... can someone PLEASE help me?!?!?!?

The material doesn't take creases well. WIWAC, I used heavy starch and a hot iron.

[RogueLeader]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

Is it in a written supplement?  Of not, its not really enforceable.

When I had creases,because I wanted too, I took them to the dry cleaners, and they put them in.

[CadetColonelToBe]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

Is it in a written supplement?  Of not, its not really enforceable.

When I had creases,because I wanted too, I took them to the dry cleaners, and they put them in.

we get inspected and graded on whether or not you have creases in your uniform. They take our uniforms very seriously

[SarDragon]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

Is it in a written supplement?  Of not, its not really enforceable.

When I had creases,because I wanted too, I took them to the dry cleaners, and they put them in.

we get inspected and graded on whether or not you have creases in your uniform. They take our uniforms very too seriously

FTFY.

[ZombieButter]

They take our uniforms very seriously
[/quote]

I'm glad! I just visited a nearby squadron where I am vacationing and their uniforms look like trash. Saw three officers wearing flight suits while everyone else wore BDUs. Still wondering if I should have told the commander how bad everyone looked.

[SarDragon]

They take our uniforms very seriously

I'm glad! I just visited a nearby squadron where I am vacationing and their uniforms look like trash. Saw three officers wearing flight suits while everyone else wore BDUs. Still wondering if I should have told the commander how bad everyone looked.

Probably wouldn't have been a good idea.

[Eclipse]

Saw three officers wearing flight suits while everyone else wore BDUs.

Were the members in BDUs not officers?

[ZombieButter]

Saw three officers wearing flight suits while everyone else wore BDUs.

Were the members in BDUs not officers?

Saw a few officers in BDUs.

[AngelWings]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

Is it in a written supplement?  Of not, its not really enforceable.

When I had creases,because I wanted too, I took them to the dry cleaners, and they put them in.

we get inspected and graded on whether or not you have creases in your uniform. They take our uniforms very seriously

Hang them on if they taught you how they do it. If they don't teach you, than well [darn], they can't hold you against it. Ironing is not like polishing, there isn't a lot of videos on how to iron sharp creases into BDU's.

[Sapper168]

... not a lot of videos for ironing....  :angel:

Air cadet instructional video: How to iron your combat trousers

How to Iron BDUs - Pants - Part 1

Speech 4 BDU Creases

How to iron your BDU pants

Military Crease

SETTING THE CREASES

[Garibaldi]

I used to put creases on my BDU pants before I realized what a pain it is. It takes a lot of repeat ironing to get them to stay (I have a permacrease on my blues shirt sleeves!). I think that pressing the pockets down on the shirt and pants is good enough. While it may make you more conscious of how you look in uniform, it really is a waste of time because after standing and sitting and doing all the things you do at a meeting, the creases magically disappear. And whatever you do...if you live in a hot climate like the South...DON'T STARCH! Not only is starch not recommended, it also holds in heat, doesn't allow the fabric to breathe.

Also, quietly and non-confrontationally, ask someone like your flight sergeant if there's a WRITTEN supplement or directive stating that BDUs must be creased. CAPM doesn't specifically state that creases are allowed, so they may be correct.

[Майор Хаткевич]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

Is it in a written supplement?  Of not, its not really enforceable.

When I had creases,because I wanted too, I took them to the dry cleaners, and they put them in.

It's enforceable, if it causes someone to be held back for appearance "issues".

That said, it's still silly. If you really need it done, get the pants dry cleaned.

[LGM30GMCC]

They take our uniforms very seriously

I'm glad! I just visited a nearby squadron where I am vacationing and their uniforms look like trash. Saw three officers wearing flight suits while everyone else wore BDUs. Still wondering if I should have told the commander how bad everyone looked.

Oh no! Not FLIGHT SUITS!

Better not come to my AD unit! Most of the officers routinely wear flight suits while everyone else wears ABUs...

Seriously though, as long as all the uniforms were configured correctly, it may not look as 'uniform' if everyone isn't wear the same uniform but I would say it doesn't look 'bad.' Preference at least is that everyone be in the same level of uniform. Personal preference is that everyone is in the same class of uniform (BDU/Flight Suit, Field Uniform/Utility Uniform, or SS Blues no-tie, White Aviator)

(Though there are times I as CC was in Service Dress (down to blues) while folks were in BDUs because I came from giving a presentation on CAP to an outside organization and then scooted over to the meeting. Course...UOD for that day could easily have been declared Service dress for SQ/CC )

The simple matter is that even on AD units don't always look uniform. Some more examples:
Blues Mondays - Everyone in blues. Except for crew members performing alert or giving/receiving a trainer ride
Other Days - Flight Suits, Except for those who prefer ABUs. Unless you have an awards breakfast or something then you may be in blues.
Missile Alert Facilities - ABUs, except when there is a VIP then the chef will be in Chef Whites, Crew usually in PJs unless there is a Mx Team or VIP downstairs with them. (Advantages to being behind an 8-ton blast door that only* opens from the inside), Off-Duty cops in whatever they want unless there is a VIP on site.

I have to agree a lot of times CAP folks spend waaaaaaaay too much time worrying about uniforms. There is a training reason for Cadets to all be in the same uniform. Seniors not as much. There is some professional image advantage to everyone else being in the same uniform. There are relationship advantage arguments made for everyone to be in Polo Shirt Uniform (blech) or a military-esque uniform (As applicable for preference/regulation)

Heck, I have even shown up to work, on a Monday in flight suit because I was on rotation so much I forgot it was Monday. I rolled out of bed, threw on a uniform and went to work. My flight/CC asked if I had a trainer ride. I said 'no' and that it had just slipped my mind. It was the first time I had done that so he just sorta shrugged and said 'Alright, don't worry about it this time.' There were more important things for me to do (like my job) than running home to change and come back in blues. On the flip side my unit/CC once responded to a similar incident by telling the officer 'Alright, no problem. Pick a day this week, you can wear blues on that day instead' And gave one of his characteristic grins.

The point is this: Wear your uniform properly. Wear it proudly. Everything else is gravy. Some folks make the argument that if you look super highspeed people will think of you that way. I look at someone with a super nice uniform and based on my experience they get about a 10 second (well that looks nice) which will last only as long they don't say/do something foolish. A properly fitted, serviceable uniform doesn't look bad next to a super-high-speed one. Just means they focus their effort elsewhere, or not. And their behavior determines my reaction from there.

[ZombieButter]

I think their main reason for wearing flight suits is to look cool. They had no real reason for wearing them, it isnt functional.

[Eclipse]

Better not come to my AD unit! Most of the officers routinely wear flight suits while everyone else wears ABUs...

The flight suit is a prescribed daily work uniform for a lot of active and reservists.  It is not in CAP.

[LGM30GMCC]

Better not come to my AD unit! Most of the officers routinely wear flight suits while everyone else wears ABUs...

The flight suit is a prescribed daily work uniform for a lot of active and reservists.  It is not in CAP.

To use a phrase often used by and against you...'cite please.'

The restriction in 39-1 says 'Flight Crews Only' there really hasn't been much laying out what determines when someone is or is not 'Flight Crew.'

If you use the standard 'only when in the performance of Flight-related duties' you are going to get in the same trouble that folks have in the USAF. What defines 'Flight Related Duties'? For some office folks who support flight operations aren't doing flight related duties, others view is if you are part of an operations or operations support squadron and of a career field that is authorized a flight suit, you're golden. Commanders tend to define this differently as they see fit. Some of this is because culturally the USAF is controlled by pilots.

If folks are doing ES Training related to MS/MO are they a flight crew? Once they land, lock chalk and debrief from a sortie are they still flight crew? Or do they have to change into another uniform? If someone was doing MO work and suddenly is needed as AOBD do they have to change? If someone flies to a meeting for a unit visit in a CAP aircraft and departs that night back to their home base should they only wear the flight suit for the trip itself?

There is a reasonable argument to be made that CAP intends for folks not to wear the flight suit the way the USAF wears it, but if you switch into the utility uniform (which is essentially identical in style) suddenly it's ok?

It's a little more ambiguous than I think some folks would like (Myself included) with exactly what the intent is regarding this. Personally, I believe someone who was anti-aircrew mentality slipped that rule in there and just hoped it would make things all nice and easy. It really isn't that simple. Barring that, leaving it to the discretion of a unit (or higher) commander to decide when someone does or does not constitute aircrew works for me as long as the flight suit is being worn properly.

I think their main reason for wearing flight suits is to look cool. They had no real reason for wearing them, it isnt functional.

That's also debatable as well. For one, it very much is designed as a functional uniform. It's function though is much better suited to sitting down than walking around. (Those pockets in strange places become a lot more usable and actually easier to access than BDU pockets once you are sitting down.)

Some things are black and white. Unfortunately, unless you have some cite that is more clear than the 'Flight Crews Only' this isn't one of them. And when it comes down to a gray area like this, it quickly becomes 'Commander's Discretion'

[Garibaldi]

AFAIK, none of the aircrew in our unit even OWN a flight suit. They all fly in the golf-shirt combination. The only people I've seen in flight suits on SAREXes were fairly new. My feeling is that most of the oldies are tired of wearing flight suits and wear what's comfortable.

[SarDragon]

Unless you're in a wing that requires them. Mine does.

[CadetColonelToBe]

My feeling is that most of the oldies are tired of wearing flight suits and wear what's comfortable.

actually everyone who wears flight suits (which half of our seniors) all say they are really quite comfy... and breezy.

[stillamarine]

Not sure the issue with ironing creases in bdus. WIWAD I ironed all my own uniforms except my dress and service jackets. I was able to put creases in my bdus quite easily with the appropriate application of starch and a hot iron. I dont ever recall having a problem with it. I've never been a fan of dry cleaning. Even now as a cop I iron my own uniforms even though I know I can get a great discount with dry cleaning.

[abdsp51]

I always used starch and an iron.  Creases in the pants general fell out from pounding pavement and climbing in and out of a car all day long. A hot iron and starch will do the trick but starch the inside of the pants to help them hold a little bit longer.

[Eclipse]

Better not come to my AD unit! Most of the officers routinely wear flight suits while everyone else wears ABUs...

The flight suit is a prescribed daily work uniform for a lot of active and reservists.  It is not in CAP.

To use a phrase often used by and against you...'cite please.'

The restriction in 39-1 says 'Flight Crews Only' there really hasn't been much laying out what determines when someone is or is not 'Flight Crew.'

Pretty straightforward.

1 - Are you qualified or a trainee in an aircrew specialty?  If yes, goto 2, if no, goto 4.

2 - Are you going to fly that day? If yes, goto 3, if no, goto 4.

3 - You are 'Flight crew' wear flight suit. goto end.

4 - You are not 'Flight Crew'. Wear other. goto end.

[SarDragon]

Actual situation:

Show up at mission base in a flight suit, ready to fly. Flight takes off, weather goes sour, RTB. Get an offer to do MRO. What's a guy to do?

[RogueLeader]

Actual situation:

Show up at mission base in a flight suit, ready to fly. Flight takes off, weather goes sour, RTB. Get an offer to do MRO. What's a guy to do?

Change into my bdu's that are in my base gear.

[PHall]

Actual situation:

Show up at mission base in a flight suit, ready to fly. Flight takes off, weather goes sour, RTB. Get an offer to do MRO. What's a guy to do?

Change into my bdu's that are in my base gear.

If the IC has no problem with him working the radios in a flight suit, why should you?

[RogueLeader]

I don't care what he does. That is what I would do, and have done.

[Maj. Joe Mora]

Starching BDU's is a really bad idea, the starch will not let the fabric breathe; and when working outside they can get very hot and uncomfortable.

The BDU is a working uniform, and any unit requiring creases is misguided. A steam iron will make the uniform look sharp and neat. It is not a dress uniform by any means.

[rustyjeeper]

You don't need creases in your BDU's.  Ironing is plenty, and some would suggest too much for a field uniform.

my squadron says we have to have creases in them...

your squadron is WRONG!
they just need to present a decent appearance.
Flat pockets etc, all show pride in the uniform. Vreases in a field uniform are just plain "A _ al".....IMHO

[AngelWings]

Starching BDU's is a really bad idea, the starch will not let the fabric breathe; and when working outside they can get very hot and uncomfortable.

The BDU is a working uniform, and any unit requiring creases is misguided. A steam iron will make the uniform look sharp and neat. It is not a dress uniform by any means.

I use heavy starch to convert my BDU's to winterweight. Works real well!

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

There is a reasonable argument to be made that CAP intends for folks not to wear the flight suit the way the USAF wears it, but if you switch into the utility uniform (which is essentially identical in style) suddenly it's ok?

Good point, especially given that 39-1 makes an untenable distinction between the "CAP blue flight suit" and the "CAP utility uniform."  The flight cap is authorised for one, but not the other, when the only difference (supposedly) that one is made of NOMEX and the other isn't.  However, a lot of CAP crews wear the non-NOMEX bag (which is much cheaper) as a flight suit, and I am reasonably sure that not a few wear the flight cap.  Since the only real way to tell what the fabric is, is to look at the manufacturer's tag, how can compliance with this very open-ended reg expect to be followed?

[PHall]

Starching BDU's is a really bad idea, the starch will not let the fabric breathe; and when working outside they can get very hot and uncomfortable.

The BDU is a working uniform, and any unit requiring creases is misguided. A steam iron will make the uniform look sharp and neat. It is not a dress uniform by any means.

I use heavy starch to convert my BDU's to winterweight. Works real well!

Why?

[RogueLeader]

Starching BDU's is a really bad idea, the starch will not let the fabric breathe; and when working outside they can get very hot and uncomfortable.

The BDU is a working uniform, and any unit requiring creases is misguided. A steam iron will make the uniform look sharp and neat. It is not a dress uniform by any means.

I use heavy starch to convert my BDU's to winterweight. Works real well!

Why?

You ask why.  My friend, I ask: why not?

The answer is that it saves the amount of BDU's needed.  Starch in the Winter makes summer weight heavy like winter weight, so I don't have to have some for summer and winter.

[Critical AOA]

So we must be flying to wear the flight suit but we don't have to be hiding from anyone to wear camo.  Sounds reasonable.   

[SarDragon]

So we must be flying to wear the flight suit but we don't have to be hiding from anyone to wear camo.  Sounds reasonable.   

You're preaching to the choir, pal. This has been beaten to death so many times on here that I'm surprised the pages haven't turned red.

The flight suit is a duty specific uniform, to be worn when performing aircrew duties. Wearing it for any other purpose is, IMHO, just foe the kool factor, and we already have enough of that as it is.

Regarding camo utilities - that's what our parent organization wears. Economy of scale helped make it the best option at the time, and today, there is still no better option.

[Critical AOA]

Ok, but in regards to the "cool factor", I believe many people like camo and the tiger stripes, etc. due to their believing it is cool.  That is why so many civilians who never were military can be seen wearing it.  Personally, I don't think camo is all that cool and I think that the BDUs look sloppy on 90%+ of the people who wear them.  Just my opinion for the little it is worth.

I do agree that this subject has been beaten to death but when I see people rejecting the idea of someone wearing a flight suit except when they are flying but advocate wearing a camouflaged field uniform to indoor meetings, I must laugh.  To me it is silly.

[SarDragon]

Ok, but in regards to the "cool factor", I believe many people like camo and the tiger stripes, etc. due to their believing it is cool.  That is why so many civilians who never were military can be seen wearing it.  Personally, I don't think camo is all that cool and I think that the BDUs look sloppy on 90%+ of the people who wear them.  Just my opinion for the little it is worth.

I do agree that this subject has been beaten to death but when I see people rejecting the idea of someone wearing a flight suit except when they are flying but advocate wearing a camouflaged field uniform to indoor meetings, I must laugh.  To me it is silly.

It's not silly.

BTW, have you ever served in the military?

It's a utility uniform, not a field uniform. There are thousands of people who wear the various camo uniforms on their jobs who never see the field. It's the equivalent of the working clothes civilians wear on their jobs.

WIWOAD, I wore a dress uniform about once a month, when I had the duty, and not always then, depending what my watch was. The rest of the time, I wore a working uniform, which is currently the USN NWU. It's camo, too, but for a different reason. Probably half the guys who wear the NWU don't really need the camo/working aspects of it, but, for uniformity, the whole work center wears it.

[Critical AOA]

Yes. Three years in the US Army wearing BDUs which stands for Battle Dress Uniform. 

[im_not_a_sir]

my pants get shiny when i starch them, they also get what looks like dandruff on them, which is easily wiped off with your hand, but still annoying.  How do i fix this?

does this happen to anyone else?

[jeders]

my pants get shiny when i starch them, they also get what looks like dandruff on them, which is easily wiped off with your hand, but still annoying.  How do i fix this?

does this happen to anyone else?

Use less starch. That "dandruff" is excess starch. Remember, the BDU is a utility uniform, not a parade uniform. They do not have to stand up on their own.

[dogboy]

When I was in the Marine Corps, creases in utilities (the BDUs of the day) were the sure mark of a REMF.

[a2capt]

When I was in the Marine Corps, creases in utilities (the BDUs of the day) were the sure mark of a REMF.

... and might not be a proper message to be conveying on this venue..

[Shawn W.]

I don't use any starch at all when I iron my BDUs and my crease come out just fine. Yes.. maybe I am a little A.R. in my ways.. But I like to show pride in my Uniform and in my Squadron.