Uniforms! Holy Cow! These puppies are expensive! (Bonus: Tax writeoff gouge)

[SynixMan]

You want a base that's in a fleet concentration area or at a commissioning/intake source. So San Diego, Great Lakes, Everett, Pensacola, Newport, Norfolk, Jacksonville.

 

[bryanteagle6]

thank you all!

 

[AMGunner]

yea - thats my point. Since I'm new and not anywhere near a NEX, I'm going to have to go and get fitted by a Navy professional at least the first time. After that, I can use the online site. I bought my NWU on the website because I knew what size I wore from my Army uni. But the blues, whites, khaki etc are all different. I want to get it done well and right the first time if possible.

Im in OHIO - 6 hours from Great Lakes and Bethesda, MD. Ive heard good things about both - but there is a tiny NEX in Indiana somewhere.

Just wanted to throw this out since I just recently lived in MD, if you end up going that way the Exchange in Annapolis is pretty decent and well stocked. Lots of brass in the area so they do alot of officer uniform tailoring.

 

[ABMD]

Just wanted to throw this out since I just recently lived in MD, if you end up going that way the Exchange in Annapolis is pretty decent and well stocked. Lots of brass in the area so they do alot of officer uniform tailoring.

Agreed, I purchased a few things at the NEX in Annapolis prior to DCOIC and when the Type III came out. Also, if you're in Northern VA/DC area, Fort Belvoir has "some" Navy uniform items, Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall is where Pentagon brass go, and then there's Annapolis (already mentioned).

Keep this in mind, the NEX is a retail business and is not a Navy uniform shop. They carry the uniform, but some accessories may not be regulation (at least according the Sr Chiefs in Newport). I'm talking about things like gloves, hats, etc.

Your best bet is to wait until you're in Newport at DCOIC/Training (assuming you going). That uniform shop has everything and can outfit you with their eyes closed.

 

[devilbones]

Agreed, I purchased a few things at the NEX in Annapolis prior to DCOIC and when the Type III came out. Also, if you're in Northern VA/DC area, Fort Belvoir has "some" Navy uniform items, Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall is where Pentagon brass go, and then there's Annapolis (already mentioned).

Keep this in mind, the NEX is a retail business and is not a Navy uniform shop. They carry the uniform, but some accessories may not be regulation (at least according the Sr Chiefs in Newport). I'm talking about things like gloves, hats, etc.

Your best bet is to wait until you're in Newport at DCOIC/Training (assuming you going). That uniform shop has everything and can outfit you with their eyes closed.

Bolling-Anacostia has a NMCRS Thrift shop with a good uniform section. Also at Newport there are lots of uniforms at the Thrift Shop. Dont forget to pick up shoulder boards for ENS, LTJG and LT. They are less than $10 for the hard boards (~$40 savings) and $4 for the soft ones. You can also find an Eisenhower Jacket if you are lucky.

 

[BarryD]

For San Diego NASNI and 32nd Street Wet-Side have everything. The gas station on Rosecrans in PL (adjacent to NTC, not at the real Point) has most of everything too.
There’s also a Navy-Marine Corps relief society/used uniform shop on 32nd Street Wet-Side too. The hours are kind of wierd there and are different than the NEX, but I’ve heard it’s a good source.

 

[AllAmerican75]

So what socks are everyone using for cruise socks nowadays??????
Soft?
Absorbent?
Soft & absorbent?

The cool kids are all investing in VR headsets and fleshlights these days. Very choice if you have the means.

What pair do you like the best?

In regards to sock recommendations, the Fox River Fatigue Fighter socks are some of the best I've worn. They've been great for long days underway when I'm on my feet for nearly the entirety of that 24 hours. They come in the coolest of colors, too.

 

[Deleted member 67144 scul]

In regards to sock recommendations, the Fox River Fatigue Fighter socks are some of the best I've worn. They've been great for long days underway when I'm on my feet for nearly the entirety of that 24 hours. They come in the coolest of colors, too.

I was eyeing those ones initially, but after strenuously comparing and experimenting with the chemical properties of polypropylene and polyester, I went with these bad boys. Just kidding about that first part. I just asked around and went with it.

 

[number9]

Do any of the online stores (e.g. The Salute Uniforms) offer a quality product for SDBs, or is the only real option to go to a NEX? Because I haven't been fully gained yet, I don't have a DEERS ID or a CAC so I can't shop at the NEX (online or offline). It's a bit of a long story but there's a memorial event at the end of April and it would mean a lot to be able to wear SDBs.

I've tried reaching out to my OR to meet me at Newport but he's in the process of retiring. If I can at least get my hands on a uniform, I'll be able to have someone from my unit show me how to wear it.

 

[vxc961]

Do any of the online stores (e.g. The Salute Uniforms) offer a quality product for SDBs, or is the only real option to go to a NEX? Because I haven't been fully gained yet, I don't have a DEERS ID or a CAC so I can't shop at the NEX (online or offline). It's a bit of a long story but there's a memorial event at the end of April and it would mean a lot to be able to wear SDBs.

I've tried reaching out to my OR to meet me at Newport but he's in the process of retiring. If I can at least get my hands on a uniform, I'll be able to have someone from my unit show me how to wear it.

I bought my uniforms 25 years ago, but back then you could go cheap (NEX) or primo ( Abbotts) .https://abbottuniforms.com/product-category/navy/

I’ve been happy with my Abbotts uniforms ever since, and they did have better fasteners and general quality. I’m sure you could get them from Abbotts.

Most of our prior service guys went the Cheapo NEX route, correctly surmounting that the dress uniforms won’t get much wear. I’m still glad I bought the better uniforms, but include that as a data point.

Check out Abbotts, but if you don’t like them I’m happy to buy a set of SDBs on your behalf from the NEX. Just PM me.

 

[Waveoff]

Marlow white makes a quality pair of SDBs in full wool, unlike the stuff and boxy poly wool blend from the NEX.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Do any of the online stores (e.g. The Salute Uniforms) offer a quality product for SDBs, or is the only real option to go to a NEX? Because I haven't been fully gained yet, I don't have a DEERS ID or a CAC so I can't shop at the NEX (online or offline). It's a bit of a long story but there's a memorial event at the end of April and it would mean a lot to be able to wear SDBs.

I've tried reaching out to my OR to meet me at Newport but he's in the process of retiring. If I can at least get my hands on a uniform, I'll be able to have someone from my unit show me how to wear it.

Super unpopular opinion here... why not just wait until you can get a CAC/ID card (i.e. base access) and get whatever uniform items you need. For someone who isn't familiar with Navy uniforms, I would have the uniform shop folks measure your sizes and set you up with the right fit. From there, assuming you don't gain any weight, can get uniforms elsewhere if you see fit.

Also, where is your unit leadership? Didn't you say you have a mentor or someone to help onboard?

It's NOT a big deal if your first unit drill (i.e. NOSC indoc) is in civilian attire. It happens and everyone would prefer you be in that as opposed to you buying and wearing uniforms that may not be a right fit for you.

 

[bryanteagle6]

I don't think thats an unpopular opinion. But I do understand where number 9 is coming from too. Try and find a happy median!

 

[Griz882]

OK…funny story time. My old man was called up for the Korean War. His squadron got to their carrier and while they waited for other reserve guys to show up he got stuck on some in port OOD duty. Well, up the gangplank comes a total mess of a guy…a medical doctor called to duty with maybe a few weeks of knife and fork school. In any case, the guy had his khaki jacket unbuttoned and his shoulder boards backwards (tips pointing out). Coming up he forgets the entire process, shakes my dad’s hand and asks…”Permission to enter the patio.”

 

[number9]

Super unpopular opinion here... why not just wait until you can get a CAC/ID card (i.e. base access) and get whatever uniform items you need. For someone who isn't familiar with Navy uniforms, I would have the uniform shop folks measure your sizes and set you up with the right fit. From there, assuming you don't gain any weight, can get uniforms elsewhere if you see fit.

Also, where is your unit leadership? Didn't you say you have a mentor or someone to help onboard?

It's NOT a big deal if your first unit drill (i.e. NOSC indoc) is in civilian attire. It happens and everyone would prefer you be in that as opposed to you buying and wearing uniforms that may not be a right fit for you.

I'm not so worried about drill weekends - I'm happy to do the first one in civilian clothes if I don't have an NWU uniform by then.

The problem I'm trying to solve for is that there's an ANZAC Day celebration coming up in Boston and I would love to honor my grandfather and greatuncles who fought in the Gallipoli campaign by wearing SDBs. If this event wasn't coming up, I honestly wouldn't worry about uniforms whatsoever until I had been gained.