Uniforms







ABU Uniform Winter Items

The ABU uniform has a three-layer system known as APECS. The first layer is a long sleeve sand colored fleece lined undershirt to be worn under the ABU jacket. The second layer is the fleece coat with Velcro name tapes. The third layer is the GORTEX rain parka. The Air Guard and Air Force do offer us these items in the same manner as the ABU uniforms, but they are few and far between. These items are hard to find locally but we recommend that you look at the Army Navy store on Chinden first and if you don't find them there, then order new online.

Layer One - Long Sleeve Under Shirt Layer Long sleeve thermal layer to be worn under the ABU jacket, this is the top shirt with your name tapes and ranks.

This item is not available at the squadron, you might find them at the Army/Navy store but they can be purchased online. These items are sand colored as they go over the sand colored undershirt worn under the ABU jacket.

You should wear whatever long underwear you have or can find. It won't show, so it can be any color.



Layer Two - Fleece coat 


BEST PRICE ON LINE: Amazon $55.95 Tru-Spec https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E9Y4N4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You will also need a CAP dark blue rank tab with Velcro backing. I don't believe Vanguard has anything ready-made, so you will need to order two of these slide over rank tabs also used for the GORTEX rain jacket below and add some Velcro to the back side of one of them for the fleece coat. 

Cadets pin their metal ranks onto these blank CAP tabs. Cadet Officers need to order cloth tabs with their ranks embroidered on them.
 

Seniors need to use an extra cloth rank square and add Velcro backing as I have done in the above photo.

CAP RANK TAB: $2.70 x 2 https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/copy-of-civil-air-patrol-gortex-jacket-tab-non-commissioned-officers and 




Layer Three - GORTEX rain jacket also labeled parka


BEST PRICE ONLINE: Quartermasters, for $140.00  http://www.qmuniforms.com/propper-af-apecs-parka?PMWTNO=000000000002439&PMSRCH=#.WETg2B9idBR

(Do Not Pay over $150 for this item. Some stores have not reduced their prices and they sell for over $250)


Other Cold Weather Items

GLOVES:


Nomex Air Force Cold Weather Intermediate Flyers Gloves HAU-15/P Amazon $14.95 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017ZQAI6M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any solid black glove that is rated for winter wear. This includes driving gloves and skiing gloves. Just make sure they are all black.

HATS:

Sage colored fleece watch caps can be found at the Army/Navy store or sometimes at the squadron for a small price. $4.95 


Boot Socks:

If you purchased warm weather jungle boots for your cadet, their toes will freeze quickly in the winter. Please purchase quality wool or Thinsulate black socks to wear in the winter months. Double up on them if you have too. Also, don't wear cotton socks as they will get wet and that can bring on frost bite.

Shortcuts for warmth

You can just buy the fleece jacket and all the rank and name tapes and get by for most weather, but the rain will still soak you. Another idea is to just get the GORTEX raincoat and get a cheap liner for the M-65 jacket at the Army/Navy store. These can be had for under $20 and you just wear them over the ABU coat and under your GORTEX jacket. 

You can wear regular long underwear top under your tan t-shirt so long as the long underwear can't be seen. 

General rule: if it's worn under the ABU uniform, it must be sand or tan colored. IE t-shirt and belt. If it's worn over the ABU uniform it needs to be sage colored or ABU digital tiger stripe.