Random question about what clothes you get?

USNA1985
Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:23:01 +0000

The ONE thing corframs are good for are inspections. Most people keep a pristine set of everything (shoes, belt buckle, cover, tie) that they wear only for weekly inspections and watch inspections. Of course, the minute inspection is over, people run to their rooms and change back into the “grunge.”

You may have the option to purchase some used (vs. new) uniforms. This depends on your size and availability from the prior class(es). It can save you some money. Sometimes, you can get a good deal if the uniform was worn by someone who quit very early and thus is barely used. Whether you want them is up to you.

And Z is right – if you take care of your uniforms and don’t change sizes, the SDBs, SDWs and coats should last your at least 5 years in the USN. I did end up buying more khakis (b/c I only had 3 pairs and we wore them all the time in the squadron), working blues (because mine were trashed after wearing them every day for four years) and whites (because they just get dirty).

One other thing – women’s uniforms are always more $$ and considerably so. First, women have to buy the same number of pants as men PLUS at least one skirt for most uniform styles. They must buy flat shoes just like the guys but also pumps. Because there are fewer women, there are fewer opportunities for used uniforms that fit. And, because there are fewer women at USNA and in the USN in general, the quantities aren’t produced in as much mass and therefore cost more. For example, in my day, a man’s cover cost about $25 whereas a woman’s cost $58.