ODS Uniforms

[NewNavyRN]

Can someone who has recently attended ODS tell me what to expect when purchasing uniforms? I've read a few places online where we purchase them out of pocket, and others where they are taken out of our pay. Some websites led me to believe that only recently did they start deducting them out of our pay, rather than out of pocket but can't really get a clear answer. Can anyone clarify? I need to know how much cash to take when I report in October.

[izzycatswimRN]

You will pay out of pocket. While there, you can open a Star account credit card and you'll get a 10% discount on your first purchase...so long as you hold off and let that purchase be your uniforms. Otherwise you can expect to pay about 2000 for uniforms. The Navy only gives officers $400 to help pay for our uniforms.

[MURunner86]

I was told it was around 1400. The list on the OTCN website says it's around 14-1600. I'm just going to have it in my account, because I'm a recent college grad, I have no credit, I'm sure I'll get declined! :)

[izzycatswimRN]

I'm not sure that accounts for the new uniforms everyone gets now starting with my class back in March. You get two sets of khakis, summer whites, dress whites, dress blues, and two pairs of blue digitals. Add the cost of all the alterations that will be made to most of them..and the shoes...each bit of gold strip/collar device/rank bars...AND all the stuff you get the first couple days (PT gear, sweats, etc) and it adds up quick. I was shocked. Mine was somewhere in the neighborhood of $1950s. I had shipmates who were over 2 grand.

[MURunner86]

Izzy,

Do you pay for that all at once or is it broken up??

Gina

[hardline]

You have to have it paid down to $700 to check out and receive last uniform (service dress blues).

[Motherofcorgis, BSN, RN]

Ouch!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

apply for a starcard which is thru the exchange system. make sure you apply for the uniform part along with regular credit. the uniform part will allow you to purchase uniforms on credit interest free. I do not believe that the amount will cover all of your uniforms but it does help.