Anyone have any tips for keeping a sharp looking ABU cover?

[aviator9417]

I just got my ABU cover and it's wrinkley and just doesn't look sharp.  I've always had baseball caps and never the BDU patrol covers so I don't know all those fancy tricks for keeping your hat looking good.  Can you guys help me turn my lackluster cover into something that looks presentable?

Thanks!

[Shawn W.]

soak you hat in water, let dry on this hat shaper in the link : https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/round-uniform-hat-shaper.

I've used this method before and it seems to work.

[Shawn W.]

I should also add that when my BDU/ABU hat is not in use, I keep it on the shaper to help maintain it's shape.

[NIN]

I've just soaked mine in water (esp the brim), and wrapped it around a good-sized soup can with rubber bands until it dried. The hat isn't wrinkly at all.

[Shuman 14]

Back in the day (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) we used to tape a can of Never Dull (Dura-Glint, etc.) to the top posts of our racks (double bunk bed) in the squad bay, we'd then use two or three trouser blousing bands (the green curly queue ones with hooks) to  secure our covers (hats) via the bills to the cans at night.

It gave them a nice, but not overt, curl to the bills.

[THRAWN]

Starch, sew in blocking material, Thompson's water seal......none of which are a good idea...

[Eclipse]

I use these in all my patrol caps. Inside the headband with a few machine stitches in the back to hold it in
(Once it's sized right).

http://www.uscav.com/mesh-hat-block-w-id-holder/



This was the first quick source I found, the are many others. Mine are black.

Once you see how, hat can be folded into pocket and snaps right back.

[Abby.L]

Disregard the wrinkles? It's a utility uniform; There's no need for starched covers, ironed blouses, shined boots, etc. Sure, make sure it doesn't look like crap and take care of it as good as you can, but at the end of the day, it's a utility uniform that gets worn either in the field, or for maybe 4 hours a month in a garrison environment. It doesn't need to to be able to cut diamonds.

On another note, I've never understood CAP's general obsession with "Dressing" the utility uniform.

[THRAWN]

I use these in all my patrol caps. Inside the headband with a few machine stitches in the back to hold it in
(Once it's sized right).

http://www.uscav.com/mesh-hat-block-w-id-holder/



This was the first quick source I found, the are many others. Mine are black.

Once you see how, hat can be folded into pocket and snaps right back.

These last FOREVER and keep the hat shaped well.

[aviator9417]

Starch, sew in blocking material, Thompson's water seal......none of which are a good idea...

Using starch on ABU's is in violation of AFI36-2903.

[Huey Driver]

I use these in all my patrol caps. Inside the headband with a few machine stitches in the back to hold it in
(Once it's sized right).

http://www.uscav.com/mesh-hat-block-w-id-holder/



This was the first quick source I found, the are many others. Mine are black.

Once you see how, hat can be folded into pocket and snaps right back.

These last FOREVER and keep the hat shaped well.

+1

Mine has served me well.

[Luis R. Ramos]

AFI36-2903 does not bear directly on CAP members.

Only CAPR 39-1.

AFIs bear directly on USAF personnel. Once what is important on those are incorporated into CAPRs, CAPMs, and CAPPs that we are affected.

So AFI36-2903 states that ABUs are not to be starched? If it is not in CAPM 39-1 or in the interim updates released from NHQ until they update CAPM 39-1, why care?

Has NHQ stated we are to follow AFI 36-2903? If not, why care?

Most Some members have problems interpreting our own publications, why are you expecting them to understand a military manual, which are more complicated than our own?

[NIN]

Starch, sew in blocking material, Thompson's water seal......none of which are a good idea...

Using starch on ABU's is in violation of AFI36-2903.

I kind of think thats what he said.

[PHall]

aviator9417, per the CAWG/CC you can wear your approved squadron baseball cap with ABU's as long as it's not Red.
This was covered in the e-mails he sent to the entire wing a few weeks ago.

[AdAstra]

aviator9417, per the CAWG/CC you can wear your approved squadron baseball cap with ABU's as long as it's not Red.
This was covered in the e-mails he sent to the entire wing a few weeks ago.

When was that email sent? Missed it.

[Eclipse]

Ignore, outdated links.

[SarDragon]

Wow! Awesome dog pile! Anyone got something constructive?

[PHall]

aviator9417, per the CAWG/CC you can wear your approved squadron baseball cap with ABU's as long as it's not Red.
This was covered in the e-mails he sent to the entire wing a few weeks ago.

When was that email sent? Missed it.

Two e-mails sent 7-28-16 and 7-29-16.

[USACAP]

Yes to this:

Disregard the wrinkles? It's a utility uniform; There's no need for starched covers, ironed blouses, shined boots, etc. Sure, make sure it doesn't look like crap and take care of it as good as you can, but at the end of the day, it's a utility uniform that gets worn either in the field, or for maybe 4 hours a month in a garrison environment. It doesn't need to to be able to cut diamonds.

On another note, I've never understood CAP's general obsession with "Dressing" the utility uniform.

[RazorbackPride]

aviator9417, per the CAWG/CC you can wear your approved squadron baseball cap with ABU's as long as it's not Red.
This was covered in the e-mails he sent to the entire wing a few weeks ago.

When was that email sent? Missed it.

Two e-mails sent 7-28-16 and 7-29-16.

Is this an appropriate way of implementing guidance to the wing?