Cadet Uniforms
There are three different uniforms (click on these links for further details further down this page):
Utility Uniform: ABUs (Airman Battle Uniform)
PT (Physical Training) Uniform
Service Uniform ("Blues")
Note: Cadets do not need to meet the height and weight requirements for wearing US Air Force uniforms until they are 18 years old. See page 123 of CAP Manual 39-1 for more details.
Please make sure to see the Useful Sewing Tips under the ABU section as this will save you some effort and avoid having to re-sew some patches.
Utility Uniform: ABUs (Airman Battle Uniform)
You can start working on putting together this uniform the moment your application is approved.
If we have some ABUs in stock, we can give you your first pair out of squadron inventory for free. If we do not have an ABU uniform in your size or you prefer to purchase a uniform, the following information will guide you through the process along with getting the other parts of the uniform that you need.
For the ABU uniform (make sure it says ABU and not BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) as BDUs are the older style that are being phased out June 2021; we will likely have some BDUs we can give you for free to use between now and the phase out date, but if you are buying a new uniform from Vanguard, then make sure it is an ABU), you can paste the following codes into the Vanguard website search field to pull them up or just click on the links:
Clothing:
[Prices as of June 2022]
If you have questions regarding Vanguard Sizes, see Vanguard sizing chart page.
Hat / Cover: CAP0158 [$11.15]. In addition to the Vanguard Sizing Chart, the Marlow White website has useful instructions for head measurements.
ABU Shirt / top: CAP0140 (youth sizes [$33.75]) or CAP0143 (adult sizes [$42.80])
ABU pants: CAP0149 (youth sizes [$33.75]) or CAP0152 (adult sizes [$42.85])
ABU pants belt: CAP2510700 (comes in 44 or 55 inches [$9.90 - $13.30]) or smaller size: CAP2510702 (this is the 39 inch size [$8.35])
Civil Air Patrol blue tape: CAP6403 [$1.75]
Blue Name Tape: CAP6402 Make sure to type in your last name only [$4.85]
Tan undershirt: CAP0991Z [$8.00] (if you can find a tan undershirt roughly the same color elsewhere for cheaper, feel free to do that)
MN Wing Patch: CAP0637V [$2.85]
Subtotal cost = between $104.45 and $127.55, depending on the size
We have a squadron patch that we will give you.
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You may want to ask someone to help you sew on your cloth nametape, cloth CAP tape, squadron patch and wing patch as this can be tricky.
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The cloth nametape and CAP tape are centered over the right and left pockets, respectively, as outlined on page 17 of the New Cadet Guide. Fold the ends of the cloth tapes under and sew them; do not cut the cloth tapes to match the edges of the pocket as they will fray. The folded end of the tape should be flush with the width of the pocket.
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The MN Wing patch on the left shoulder is to be 1/2 inch down from the shoulder seam and centered (unfortunately, the New Cadet Guide does not show or spell this out well).
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Squadron patch - placed on Right Breast Pocket - centered on the lower portion of the right breast pocket between left and right edges and bottom of flap and pocket of ABU shirt (look at the picture on page 17 of the New Cadet Guide)
Black Boots:
There are boots at Vanguard: CAP2900A (mens) or CAP3300 (womens) for $108.25, but you can also get less expensive boots at Sportsman's Guide:
Google Map Link to Sportsman's Guide
for under $45:
Sportsman's Guide link directly to the boots NOTE: make sure to choose BLACK.
Call the store to see if you can try on the black boots. It might be that they can’t get the boots out of the warehouse for you to try on due to COVID and so might need to have them shipped to your house for a small shipping fee.
NOTE: the requirement for Footwear with ABUs per CAPR 39-1 is "5.1.2.7. Black socks and black combat boots are mandatory with this uniform." and "6.4.1.4. Black combat boots will be without design and can be worn with the Service Dress and Service uniforms. They will be highly polished, high gloss or patent leather." You can order any combat boots that have toes that can be polished. You can check other websites like Tactical Gear, 511 Tactical (which also has a physical store in Richfield, MN, and is in the same building as Sierra, which has discount clothing), 1st Tactical, LA Police Gear or Amazon to see if you can find boots on sale. These boots are usually around 8 inches tall. The boots that have a zip down the side are useful for putting on and taking off quickly without having to use the laces each time. It is generally recommended not to get "jump boots" which are combat boots that are all leather with no padding and are only lace up. These boots tend to take a long time to break in and can easily cause blisters.
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF ABU WITH BOOTS = between $150.90 and $237.25, depending on sizes and types of boots purchased.
Don't forget to check out the Vanguard Military Facebook page for a monthly 10% off coupon: https://www.facebook.com/vanmilstore/
OPTIONAL Green Fleece to wear with ABUs:
1. You can buy the optional green fleece at Vanguard but the cost is $81.35. A green fleece at Sportsman's Guide that meets regulation is significantly less at $32.99. Note: you can always just wear a civilian winter coat over any of your uniforms. Safety always comes first.
2. The Velcro name tape can be found at Vanguard for $3.95.
3. The Velcro Civil Air Patrol tape can be found at Vanguard for $3.55
4. Airman and NCOs use the this Velcro square from Vanguard to put an extra pin on (the square costs $1.65). The pins are sold separately. See Pins at Vanguard (price varies with grade). You can also ask at the squadron to see if there are pins for sale or Velcro squares with pins already in them. Pins are centered and mounted on the Velcro square and then the sharp point is bent down on the back side of the square to hold the pin in place (the frog clasps are not used).
5. For Cadet Officer Velcro Squares look at Vanguard and make sure the item says "Fleece Rank" to make sure it has the Velcro back (price is usually $1.65)
6. Don't forget to check out the Vanguard Military Facebook page for a monthly 10% off coupon: https://www.facebook.com/vanmilstore/
7. Vanguard Orders over $35 ship for free, so consider planning ahead for another uniform item you might need or get in on an order with a wingman to get free shipping.
PT (Physical Training) Uniform
You can also start working on putting together this uniform the moment your application is approved.
Warm weather uniform:
Black sports shorts and a black t-shirt. You may also ask if we have a squadron t-shirt for purchase. Wear comfortable running shoes.
Cold weather uniform:
Usually, in the winter, we will just do PT exercises inside, so the above uniform will work. It would be unlikely that you would need a black sweatshirt or sweatpants for the actual exercises, but you will likely want to wear a coat and some sweatpants over your shorts for getting to and from the squadron meeting in the winter (they do not need to be black since you will be taking them off once you get to the meeting).
Service Uniform ("Blues")
You do not need to get this uniform right away. Upon completion of your first achievement (the Curry Award), you will receive an email from CAP including something like:
“Curry Blues Voucher: Want your blues uniform? Keep your eye out for an email from vanguardmil.com with your free $100 voucher toward the purchase of your blues uniform. If you have not received your voucher within five days please email curry@vanguardmil.com (include your name and CAPID!) and ask for the voucher to be resent. Once you receive the voucher you must order your blues uniform within the next 45 days. We can not wait to see you looking sharp in your blues. ”
Within a day or so, you will receive an email from Vanguard with something like:
“Hello [your name],
Congratulations on your Curry Achievement! You have earned $100 for your uniform. Your code is “[specific number / letter code]“. To redeem your gift you MUST go to this link, https://cap.vanguardmil.com and enter the code into the gift card area at checkout. The code is not valid on Vanguard's main website! This is one time use only and will expire in 45 days.
Regards,
Vanguard Industries”
Clicking on the https://cap.vanguardmil.com will bring you to a page with a pre-populated list of items. NOTE: you do NOT need all of these items. Please see explanations below for more details:
NOTE: For female cadets, there are two options: a skirt or slacks. You can choose whichever one you prefer. Factors cadets weigh in choosing a style is if they like the look of one over the other and thinking through Minnesota weather (slacks being warmer in winter). Some cadets start off with one style and then later in their CAP career purchase the other style to have both. The Overblouse Shirt can work with either. Vanguard does not sell a tuck in version of the shirt, but some cadets prefer to search this out from other sources like CC Military Surplus in Maplewood (www.ccmilitary.com). If you can not find what you are looking for on their website, give them a call or visit their store in person. NOTE: female shirts do not have pockets, so if you get a tuck in version of the shirt, make sure it is the female version without pockets.
Feel free to check with us to see if we have any used Blues Uniform components in the squadron inventory.
Necessary items:
[Prices are as of June 2022; clicking on the links below will show the item with more expensive prices; the link above at https://cap.vanguardmil.com has discounted prices but the links below are to allow you to look at items more closely]
If you have questions regarding Vanguard Sizes, see Vanguard sizing chart page.
Belt: CAP2500500 [$8.95; $17.80-$19.30 without discount]. Some belts say male, but the belt is the same for males and females. It just differs in which direction the belt is threaded through belt loops.
CAP Cadet Grade Insignia: Airman chevron: CAP0646L [$6.15; $7.45 without discount]
CAP Flight Cap: FEMALE is CAP1015J and MALE is CAP0994K [$17.00; $21.70 without discount]. In addition to the Vanguard Sizing Chart, the Marlow White website has useful instructions for head measurements.
CAP Flight Cap Device: CAP0748A [$6.00; $7.30 without discount]
Name Plate: CAP0599M [$3.50; $4.30 without discount] - Make sure to enter Last Name Only.
Curry Ribbon: CAP0609 [$1.65; $1.20 without discount]
Single Ribbon Mounting Bar: 7720400 [$1.65; $1.25 without discount]
Male Shirt: CAP1001 [$44.00; $52.90 without discount]
Female Overblouse Shirt: CAP1017J [$44.00; $52.90 without discount]
Male Trousers: CAP0993A [$55.00; $66.25 without discount]
Female Slacks: CAP3500J [$50.00; $60.25 without discount]
Female Skirt: CAP3600J [$50.00; $60.25 without discount]
Shoes (listed as Male, but has Female equivalent sizing to be worn with Slacks): CAP28004 [$40.00; $48.10 without discount]. Wear black socks. Females can also wear black slip on shoes that have a front and back with slacks. It would be good for females to discuss shoe options with other female cadets or senior members as the shoe options are greater.
Female Shoes with skirt: May wear Pumps / High heels that are plain (without decoration) and black that can be polished. May also wear black slip on shoes that have a front and back with skirt. Wear neutral nylon hosiery and not black socks with skirt. It would be good for females to discuss shoe options with other female cadets or senior members as the shoe options are greater.
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF BLUES UNIFORM AFTER $100 CURRY VOUCER DISCOUNT = $78.90 (Female) / $83.90 (Male).
Don't forget to check out the Vanguard Military Facebook page for a monthly 10% off coupon, in case this can also be used: https://www.facebook.com/vanmilstore/
Optional / Secondary Blues Items (Ties / Tabs must be worn with long sleeve shirts but are optional with short sleeve shirts):
Male Necktie: SELF TIE VERSION: [not currently available on Vanguard] OR CLIP ON VERSION: 9400600 [both are $15.30 each; $20.50 without discount]
Male Tie Crest: CLIP: CAP0918D OR TIE TAC VERSION: CAP0918 [both are $3.65 each; $6.10 without discount]
Female Neck Tab for Overblouse: [not currently available on Vanguard] [$10.50; $15.60 without discount]
