I know you get BDU's when you join CAP but what else should you buy?
You will not necessarily get BDU's, that depends on your squadron, some have a stock and issue them, some don't. Even if you get the BDU's, you will still most likely need to purchase the nametapes and flag, and probably a hat, belt and boots.
The Free Cadet Uniform includes dress "blues" pants and shirt, you will need to purchase a hat, belt, nametag, and all badges and insignia.
If purchased all at once from good sources, the start up "kit" for a cadet costs about $50 plus shoes.
This is a conversation you need to have with your commander or his designee.
Anyways, order your free blues off of e-services, get your insignia from Vanguardmil.com, and ask your squadron for anything else.
PM me if you have additional questions. ;)
Quote from: Eclipse on June 17, 2010, 01:18:38 AMThe Free Cadet Uniform includes dress "blues" pants and shirt, you will need to purchase a hat, belt, nametag, and all badges and insignia.
I know they stopped sending shoes a while back, but no belt and flight cap now too?
my son got a flight cap and belt a year ago.
I got my free unifrom several months ago and got the Flight cap, belt, Pants, And shirt. :o
My bad - yep, belt, & hat, but no shoes.
Quote from: Almoster on June 17, 2010, 01:00:38 AM
I know you get BDU's when you join CAP but what else should you buy?
A pen.
At our squadron we give all new cadets a folder that includes a list of all the needed purchases with their appropriate stock numbers and where to find them.
Ask your DCC, they might have something similar.
If not, I'll see if I can grab one while I'm at the squadron tomorrow and post it here for all to use.
The two most useful things in CAP:
1. A pen
2. A pocket-sized notebook
Quote from: cap235629 on June 17, 2010, 03:54:34 AM
Quote from: Almoster on June 17, 2010, 01:00:38 AM
I know you get BDU's when you join CAP but what else should you buy?
A pen.
You normaly get one with the Cadet Packet >:D but they are so cheap, mine broke after the first CAP meeting with it.
Cadets ask this a lot here and elsewhere. Please don't buy a ton of stuff unnecessarily. CAP is expensive enough. Decide what you want to do and get the stuff that is required for it. For instance, if you want to become qualified a UDFT member and/or Ground Team Member, there are certain things that are required of you. Before you dump a ton of money on stuff, get advice on what the best gear is for those categories.
A great way to do that is talk to other members, search existing topics here, ask questions here if there isn't already a topic on what you want to buy, and do some research on sites like REI's gear information for tips on buying stuff like backpacks and such.
Then, try saving yourself (and probably your parents) money by getting things from the least expensive sources. Try used stuff here on CAPTalk, ebay, AAFES, etc. before you dump a ton of money into Vanguard. Also use Google Shopping for non-uniform stuff like backpacks. You can save a LOT of money this way. Then get yourself some coupons on retailmenot.com.
Get some blue coveralls. very very handy.
Quote from: pbcheez on June 23, 2010, 04:26:40 AM
Get some blue coveralls. very very handy.
I third the motion for an answer to the question:
Huh? For what? :o ???
as for shoes for your blues (heheh... rhyming... but anyways...) don't go to the trouble of getting black oxford-style dress shoes if you don't already have them. Just get a good pair of black all-leather combat boots. THEY ARE KOSHER FOR BOTH BDU's AND BLUES!!! I suggest a pair like these: http://www.uspatriottactical.com/corcoran-field-boots-10-leather-side-zipper.html?___store=default
You can spit shine them to a mirror for when you wear your blues, and the traction is good enough for most not-hardcore cadet activities like meetings and drill. Hope this Helps!
Quote from: Donovan on January 25, 2011, 12:15:09 AM
as for shoes for your blues (heheh... rhyming... but anyways...) don't go to the trouble of getting black oxford-style dress shoes if you don't already have them. Just get a good pair of black all-leather combat boots. THEY ARE KOSHER FOR BOTH BDU's AND BLUES!!! I suggest a pair like these: http://www.uspatriottactical.com/corcoran-field-boots-10-leather-side-zipper.html?___store=default (http://www.uspatriottactical.com/corcoran-field-boots-10-leather-side-zipper.html?___store=default)
You can spit shine them to a mirror for when you wear your blues, and the traction is good enough for most not-hardcore cadet activities like meetings and drill. Hope this Helps!
That might not be such a good idea. Activities where you wear BDUs tend to be much harder on the appearance aspect of footwear. Your ability to keep that great shine on your boots will be much harder the more they're worn in the field. A good pair of Oxfords will also give your feet a break from your boots.
Quote from: Fly Boy on June 18, 2010, 08:07:13 PM
Quote from: cap235629 on June 17, 2010, 03:54:34 AM
Quote from: Almoster on June 17, 2010, 01:00:38 AM
I know you get BDU's when you join CAP but what else should you buy?
A pen.
You normaly get one with the Cadet Packet >:D but they are so cheap, mine broke after the first CAP meeting with it.
I steped on mine before i even used it. Cheap stuff from china i bet!
What you get depends on what you want to do in CAP. Naturally, you'll need to get uniform items for BDUs and blues. After that, your best bet is to talk to a member of cadet staff at your squadron, and get their advice on what to get and where to find it, based on your interests in CAP. If you are in CAP to fly, you won't need ES gear. If you do ES, eBay and Craigslist are great places to find items you need. Also, try to get things with versatility. For example, you could buy a two dollar poncho at Walmart, but you'll still need shelter material. Or, you could get the milspec poncho for fifteen dollars at an army surplus store. It will last a lot longer, doubles as shelter material, and can be used to make a stretcher as well. Keep that principle in mind when purchasing gear.