Uniforms

I bought my ASU at the clothing and sales on post in Hawaii, not at Ft Sam. It is much cheaper than Marlow White, think it was $400 for everyhing including all the brass etc. And when you purchase from clothing and sales they do the alterations for free. I asked several friends who have been in the Army for 20 years if it was worth it to buy from Marlow White since the fabric is a little higher quality. I was told not really, that you really won't wear it often enough to justify the extra expense.

I highly recommend going to Ft Sam with as much of your uniforms as possible. The clothing and sales will sell out of certain items. Make sure that you have your beret already shaved and shaped so you don't look silly. Have your rank already sewn on your soft cap as well. I was lucky that we were right by a post so I went with everything and it really made my life easier. So if possible I highly recommend you doing the same. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Also, Ft Hood is only 2 hours from Ft Sam and we have a well stocked clothing and sales. If you are driving down to OBC you might detour here and grab whatever uniform items you need. I have no problem meeting up with you here and helping.

**sigh** I was an Air Force cop and I miss my beret. I think the Army looks really sharp in them! Yes, hopeful, PLEASE get your beret shaved and shaped correctly. Otherwise, you will look more than a bit ridiculous....I see kids here from the Security Forces Academy and some of their berets make me shudder. It's harder for women because we have hair, but just be sure it doesn't look like a big marshmallow.

Thank you both.

Rose that was a very nice offer to meet up with my but I will be flying to Ft Sam. I guess I will try to get items before I leave St. Louis, or atleast as much as I can.

There is a website that sells the berets formed and "inspection ready", will this do. I will order tomorrow if so.

I'm starting to feel stressed now, so many things to get together!!! I know I've had a whole year to prepare, just don't know where the time went!

Any more advise, please let me know. I think I have read almost every blog/post on OBLC so I should be prepared(I guess:))

That might help, but you'll still have to form it to your head. Get your hair pulled back and wet the beret, then form it to your head. Wear it until it dries (this will take a while).

Any Army girls out there with tips for Hopeful?

No help with the beret, but I do have a question. Is the Army providing your ticket to Ft. Sam or do you have to purchase it on your own then be reimbursed?

No help with the beret, but I do have a question. Is the Army providing your ticket to Ft. Sam or do you have to purchase it on your own then be reimbursed?

I still am not sure. I hope to find out today. I was told in an e-mail by a MAJ that my recruiter should have the resources for me to contact Carloson Wagon Lit to obtain my ticket. But I have not been able to contact my recruiter(imagine that). I hope to know something today then I will let you know.

If you live in St Louis, you might want to go to Scott AFB - their clothing sales do have some things Army but you might want to call first for specific items.

Good luck!

Thanks, I was thinking of taking a trip there. I will need to get my ID first, plan to do that with my recruiter at guard station by the airport.

No help with the beret, but I do have a question. Is the Army providing your ticket to Ft. Sam or do you have to purchase it on your own then be reimbursed?

Peach,

yes the Army will pay for ticket, your recruiter will give you the # to contact the travel agency, they will need a copy of your orders(ofcourse).

Thanks for the info.

Hi Peach:

Congratulations on finally receiving your orders! Hey, I know I suffer from CRS syndrome (Can't Remember S***) Smile, but a lot of the information you seek should be on your orders (FOR OBC)

And I agree: Get your beret stinking wet, wet WET and leave it dry completely on your head, wearing your hair the way you will.

But I would suggest, before wetting it, you know the cardboard that makes up the blue background on the front of your beret? I would suggest you cut that at an angle. So with the beret sitting on your head your beret will or should "hang down" and almost cover your right ear. That cardboard piece you should cut about 1/2 inch (or so) at an angle so that the beret will "hang down" naturally over your ear, and the top of the beret will fit or mold better to your head more naturally (especially after you totally wet it down and allowed it to dry.

Does this make sense? Can anyone out here describe what I am trying to say, with words, a wee bit better?

If I can find a picture I will include it

Hey, have fun at OBLC!!

athena

Iraq

Hi Peach:

Congratulations on finally receiving your orders! Hey, I know I suffer from CRS syndrome (Can't Remember S***) Smile, but a lot of the information you seek should be on your orders (FOR OBC)

And I agree: Get your beret stinking wet, wet WET and leave it dry completely on your head, wearing your hair the way you will.

But I would suggest, before wetting it, you know the cardboard that makes up the blue background on the front of your beret? I would suggest you cut that at an angle. So with the beret sitting on your head your beret will or should "hang down" and almost cover your right ear. That cardboard piece you should cut about 1/2 inch (or so) at an angle so that the beret will "hang down" naturally over your ear, and the top of the beret will fit or mold better to your head more naturally (especially after you totally wet it down and allowed it to dry.

Does this make sense? Can anyone out here describe what I am trying to say, with words, a wee bit better?

If I can find a picture I will include it

Hey, have fun at OBLC!!

athena

Iraq

Thanks for info. I will try to have recruiter help me with this process. The anxiety level for me is going up-- even more than my nurse practitioner boards!LOL