Where to find Service Coat other than AAFES?

[kmbarnes1]

I have been visiting my local AFB's BX trying to find an Officers Service Coat Size 44Long. They even "special ordered" one for me a month ago. As of today, they still haven't gotten one in, nor do they know when they are going to get one. They suggested ordering online. After getting someone who has access to AAFES online, I find out that that size is not even available online.

Is there anywhere else I can go online? I've already checked out all my local surplus and second hand stores.

[Pylon]

A few alternatives:

militaryuniformexchange.com
eBay.com

[BradM]

try this site:

http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-us-air-force-officer-service-dress-uniform-9957.aspx

[DakRadz]

try this site:

http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-us-air-force-officer-service-dress-uniform-9957.aspx

Respectfully, they have the worst prices I have ever seen. I do not know if it is a quality assurance issue, but $50 more is pretty ridiculous, especially when evilBay and other alternatives exist.

[Eclipse]

I guess it all depends on how bad you want it and in what size - they go up to 56 Long, and unless you are about 7-1/2 feet tall, that is well, well, outside the weight specs for a USAF officer, even CAP.

I don't think I've ever seen anything from AAFES bigger than a 50-52.

[Ozzy]

I just checked AAFES and it shows up that you can purchase a 44Long Officer Service Coat... not sure who told you that you couldn't.

[BradM]

try this site:

http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-us-air-force-officer-service-dress-uniform-9957.aspx

Respectfully, they have the worst prices I have ever seen. I do not know if it is a quality assurance issue, but $50 more is pretty ridiculous, especially when evilBay and other alternatives exist.

I search eBay everyday for Air Force items and they havent in 2010 had a current style uniform available for the Air Force. Its all vintage items. I'm trying to find myself a Bernard Service Cap in 7 3/8 with the Hap Arnold buttons at the BX (at March Air Reserve Base) and havent been able to find one yet. My size is always sold out. My next stop would be the BX at the Los Angeles base outside of LAX. If I cant find one there then I'd have to buy the $99.00 cap they have at uniforms4u.com if I needed one by a certain date. Luckily I have an older Bancroft cap with the old AF coat of arms buttons I can use if needed.

[BradM]

I just checked AAFES and it shows up that you can purchase a 44Long Officer Service Coat... not sure who told you that you couldn't.

If you arent active duty and are only in CAP you cant register there. I tried it today. How did you log into the site?

[Ozzy]

Hence why you find a buddy that can. Or, you order it through National. The OP already said that they got someone to check AAFES online, but apparently they saw "Except 45, 47, 49, 51" and thought it meant 44.

If there is a will, there is a way.

[BradM]

Hence why you find a buddy that can. Or, you order it through National. The OP already said that they got someone to check AAFES online, but apparently they saw "Except 45, 47, 49, 51" and thought it meant 44.

If there is a will, there is a way.

Do you have a link or phone number for National?

[Eclipse]

I just checked AAFES and it shows up that you can purchase a 44Long Officer Service Coat... not sure who told you that you couldn't.

If you arent active duty and are only in CAP you cant register there. I tried it today. How did you log into the site?

You can't, so You read this:  http://forums.cadetstuff.org/viewtopic.php?t=4960&highlight=aafes  and ask someone for a .pdf of the AAFES catalog (hint, hint).

I'm not aware you can place AAFES orders "through national", and VG doesn't sell service dress jackets.

[Major Carrales]

Lots of active duty person in CAP often throw around AAFES and it's prices as if all CAP members could easily get the items therein.  I've never tried it...mostly because I am unsure of it all based on the treatment I have sometimes encountered at the "in person" clothing exchanges who don't know what CAP is.

[Ozzy]

Thanks Eclipse, I was going to give the link to the knowledge base but that was the post I remember seeing a long time ago.

As for 'through national', Back a few years ago when I was trying to get some uniform items from AAFES, I was told I had to fax the order form to national who would then forward it to AAFES to get it processed. I'll see if I can remember where I read that from....

And I was able to log into AAFES because I'm Army National Guard which has assisted in getting item numbers and prices.

[Eclipse]

Lots of active duty person in CAP often throw around AAFES and it's prices as if all CAP members could easily get the items therein.

They can - see above.  No biggie.

I've never tried it...mostly because I am unsure of it all based on the treatment I have sometimes encountered at the "in person" clothing exchanges who don't know what CAP is.

I've been to USAF MCSS at Scott and Grissom, the ladies at Scott were awesome, even custom ordering shirts for me and shipping the for free.

The Grissom people were very nice, but it is a tiny store.

I've never known anyone to have issues at Great Lakes, though being a NAVEx it only stock(ed) a bare minimum of USAF stuff that was cross-service.  In the BDU days it was great, and of course ribbon racks, blousers, etc. , and other accessories are universal, but now it is all NWU and ACU, along with Navy and Army dress, though you can get your sizing and tailoring done there my seamstresses that do it 24x7x365.

[Ozzy]

I've been to USAF MCSS at Scott and Grissom, the ladies at Scott were awesome, even custom ordering shirts for me and shipping the for free.

The Grissom people were very nice, but it is a tiny store.

I've never known anyone to have issues at Great Lakes, though being a NAVEx it only stock(ed) a bare minimum of USAF stuff that was cross-service.  In the BDU days it was great, and of course ribbon racks, blousers, etc. , and other accessories are universal, but now it is all NWU and ACU, along with Navy and Army dress, though you can get your sizing and tailoring done there my seamstresses that do it 24x7x365.

+1. I've been to several different Military Exchanges... AAFES, NAVEx, CGx, Px/Bx,  and I've never had a problem as a cadet. As long as you were courteous, said that you were occupying military billeting, and was friendly, you rarely would have a problem.

[Persona non grata]

www.patriotuniforms.com     You can order directly from them, you will have to emaail customer service for ordering instructions.

[jimmydeanno]

I have been visiting my local AFB's BX trying to find an Officers Service Coat Size 44Long. They even "special ordered" one for me a month ago. As of today, they still haven't gotten one in, nor do they know when they are going to get one. They suggested ordering online. After getting someone who has access to AAFES online, I find out that that size is not even available online.

Is there anywhere else I can go online? I've already checked out all my local surplus and second hand stores.

If they special ordered one for you, you should know when you're getting it.  I special ordered a mini-medal holder, they filled out a special order form, just like a nametag order and told me when I could expect it.  The day they told me to expect it, I got a phone call telling me that it was in.

Did they actually order it with you as the intended seller or just add it to their order sheet of things to get on the next shipment?

[kmbarnes1]

Thanks for the info everyone. When I was at BX, I filled in the special order form, (name address phone), and they said they'd call me. The next time I called to check up on it, they had no idea what I was talking about...

The person I asked to check AAFES emailed me back saying they were out of stock. I might get someone else to check for me just in case. 

[capmaj]

kmbarbes1

I just purchased a 48XL off the rack at an AAFES.
If you keep running into a stone wall, PM me. I can check my AAFES. If they have your size and you will pay the postage, I'll pick one up and mail it to you. Let me know.

[peter rabbit]

As long as you were courteous, said that you were occupying military billeting, and was friendly, you rarely would have a problem.

I've sometimes carries a copy of CAPR 147-1 with me to the clothing store, but have never known anyone need to show it. You aren't required to occupy military billeting to purchase articles of uniform, but are required to be billeted to buy exchange items. For uniforms, all you should need is your CAPID. If billeted and buying something in the exchange, showing your MSA, evidence of billeting, and CAPID  is all that is required - but I've rarely had to show an MSA or room key, etc - just the CAPID. If you have a problem after you show your paperwork, you are supposed to nicely ask for the manager.

[Eclipse]

You  might also try calling every MCSS you can find to see if they have one on the rack they can ship you.

[Rotorhead]

Found mine at the Goodwill. Took a lot of searching, but eventually got jacket and slacks for $16.

Then  I spent $60 having them altered. Based on the card I found in a pocket, the active-duty Lt. Col. who owned it was, well, larger than me.

Of course, we have two USAF bases here, so our Goodwills see a lot more uniforms than others.