View Full Version : Squared away uniform tricks...
GolfingJarhead
04-24-08, 03:21 PM
I just replied to another member's post about sleeve rolling and it got me thinking. Who here remembers their old "tricks of the trade" for squaring away your uniform?
My biggest memories are:
1. Mop'n'Glo on your boots to shine them up
2. Cutting off the buttons on your pockets and then sewing them flat.
3. Taking your cover to Mama-san in Oki for the cement-like starch treatment (I got out in 2002 and my woodland cover is still hard as a rock).
Ahh....the memories!
Share yours!
darkgreen0311
04-24-08, 06:30 PM
Windex on the patent leathers a small piece of cardboard placed behind your charlie shirt to keep the medals straight.
:marine: :flag: SEMPER FI 4 LIFE
YOURS IS NOT TO QUESTION WHY BUT TO DO OR DIE!!!
On "The Rock",all our utilities were starched rock hard.
You had to be careful about the scivie draws.
We used a thing called ,five day deoderant pads,on our dress shoes.You need a 2nd pair,just in case.:)
CPL Nelly
04-24-08, 10:22 PM
These were all great things back when the utilities were made for that kind of thing. With the new rough side out boot and the wash and wear camis its not necessary. The piece of cardboard behind the ribbons/medals is still good though.
Zulu 36
04-24-08, 10:23 PM
Windex on the patent leathers a small piece of cardboard placed behind your charlie shirt to keep the medals straight.
They make nice thin plastic ribbon backers now too. I used them in the Air Guard and as a police officer. Better than cardboard, especially when you're sweaty.
ltmebecrewchief
04-24-08, 10:25 PM
instead of cardboard ive use a small piece of web belt leftover from when i cut it to back my ribbons and shooting badge.
What works better than the card board or web belt is a ear plug cut into two pieces. Put one each on each post of the backer and then you don't have to worry about the corners of the cardboard poking out after a few hours.
Bulkyker
04-25-08, 04:14 AM
When you are in garrison and doing your laundry, grab a book and stand by the dryer and the second the dryer stops pull all your cammies out and neatly fold them before they cool. Do it right and they look like they have been pressed.
Duraglit will take a scuff off of chorfams.
darkgreen0311
04-25-08, 04:46 PM
I remember also seeing guys take a whole roll of toilet paper and hold it inside of their covers and take a hot iron and iron the top of the cover. I guess it was a way to make the top of the cover firm on top and not sink in the middle i never understood why they did it.
:marine: :flag: SEMPER FI 4 LIFE
YOURS IS NOT TO QUESTION WHY BUT TO DO OR DIE!!!
they make inserts for the covers now. i know i haven't been in long but a trick before i bought the springs for blousing my boots was tie 2 bands together
SlingerDun
04-25-08, 08:08 PM
Floor wax on the black boots looked like hell if you didn't prep the leather first. A few students at sea school received scowls and demerits when instructors noticed scuff marks and debris underlying a curious glossy finish. They strongly recommended stripping and spit shining before 0400 reveille hehehehe:marine:
Six shirt stays on the charlie shirt, if it fits properly, makes it almost look tailored to your body. No wrinkles, no nothing. I was getting compliments all day on graduation day of my MOS school, my nickname was "Crisp" :cool:
i actually recently heard about it and thought about doing that myself.
jinelson
04-27-08, 11:37 AM
http://www.leatherneck.com/gallery/files/2/1/7/0/ProjectSoar.JPG
Rock hards were very uncomfortable in the summer and to be squared away a fresh set of boards was needed for each day. As I remember it cost about a buck per set. It was money well spent because it showed up on pros and cons and fitness reports.
Jim
Six shirt stays on the charlie shirt, if it fits properly, makes it almost look tailored to your body. No wrinkles, no nothing. I was getting compliments all day on graduation day of my MOS school, my nickname was "Crisp" :cool:
... do you mean the 'garters' ??
Two things I hate, are shirts that won't stay DOWN, and socks that won't stay UP. So.. hook them together !! :banana:
I wear the garters all the time.... pi$$es the C.O. off to... cause my t'shirt is tucked in (if that's what I'm wearing). In the office, still sharp and squared away, all day long.
Oh....... and ... watch the 'gig' line !!!!!!!!!
Diamonds
04-28-08, 02:51 PM
Well back in the early '60 we would take our Tropical Shirts and soap the inside on the creases and then iron them on the outside.:evilgrin: Made the crease as share as a razor. And talking about A razor .we would take our wool trousers on the ironing board and shave them down so they would be thinner , then turn them inside out and soap the creases and iron them the same way.
That's how it was done in the OLD CORP.....Semper Fi...Marines:iwo:
Phantom Blooper
04-28-08, 03:16 PM
Kotex in your arm pits to absorb sweat!:evilgrin:
Well back in the early '60 we would take our Tropical Shirts and soap the inside on the creases and then iron them on the outside.:evilgrin: Made the crease as share as a razor. And talking about A razor .we would take our wool trousers on the ironing board and shave them down so they would be thinner , then turn them inside out and soap the creases and iron them the same way.
That's how it was done in the OLD CORP.....Semper Fi...Marines:iwo:
Just normal bar soap?
Where do you attach the extra 2 shirt-stays? That HAS to be even more comfortable. I use the ones that go around my heal instead of locking onto the top of the sock.
GolfingJarhead
04-29-08, 12:13 PM
Another one I just remembered was using a paperclip on the end of the web belt to help it stay in place. That, and having the first belt loop adjusted to be in the correct place.
Have the bootcamp issue shirts gotten any better? I was going through my stuff the other day and pulled out one of my creigtons and a boot issue shirt. Man, I can't believe I ever wore one of those paper shirts!
drillinstructor
04-29-08, 01:27 PM
Whenever you have to place ribbons and badges on your uniform, take a clear piece of ½ inch tape and tape it exactly following the seam line of the pocket. You will then place the ribbons on first on the line of the tape which will be ½ inch. Pull the tape off and then add your badges and you will be perfect.
kbs95125
04-29-08, 06:14 PM
Another one I just remembered was using a paperclip on the end of the web belt to help it stay in place. That, and having the first belt loop adjusted to be in the correct place.
Have the bootcamp issue shirts gotten any better? I was going through my stuff the other day and pulled out one of my creigtons and a boot issue shirt. Man, I can't believe I ever wore one of those paper shirts!
The new ones have fishing line in the shirt to make the creases stay longer ("permanent" creases), but the problem with that is you can't iron it last minute if needed because it will melt the fishing line.
Matt Brzycki
04-29-08, 06:25 PM
When I was on the drill field in San Diego from 1978-79, some of the DIs used to spray their covers with Scotch Guard. The idea was that in the event of rain, the water would never soak through. Rather, it'd just bead up and run off. Never tried it as I was afraid the Scotch Guard would leave some kinda stain. Some DIs also used to turn their shirts inside out and spray them with Scotch Guard. Here, the idea was that sweat would never show around the pits. One DI used to tell a story where he'd get all Scotch Guarded up (cover, shirt, trousers) then go in the shower and yell at the recruits. He said he stood there under a shower head while it was running and never got wet. This would leave the recruits with dropped jaws.
Garters were pretty much standard issue. We'd wrap them around our legs so you couldn't see the straps when your legs bent. Was really uncomfortable at first but you got used to it.
Another thing we used to do is wear our T-shirts backwards (without the tag, of course). The reason was that - at least back then - the front collar of the T used to sag a little. Looked very sloppy. You wear it backwards and the collar was nice and high and never sagged.
We also used to get our shirts tailored at the waist (and for our short-sleeved shirts, the arms) to make them form-fitting. Sometimes the shirts were so form-fitting that you barely had to blouse them in the back. Dunno if they still do that anymore.
Matt Brzycki
Sergeant (1975-79)
The new ones have fishing line in the shirt to make the creases stay longer ("permanent" creases), but the problem with that is you can't iron it last minute if needed because it will melt the fishing line.
i iron mine and they look crisp
egbutler1
04-29-08, 08:37 PM
i'd put starch on my pants and shirts right on the creases and iron them so they'd be sharp, but i messed up plenty of dress uniforms before i got that right.
kbs95125
04-30-08, 05:28 PM
i iron mine and they look crisp
I never tried to iron mine, but I remember a kid in boot camp had his line melt from the iron. I just bought nicers shirts after boot because the dry cleaner I go to only charges me $30 to clean and press all of my uniforms so I can afford to have them done anytime I need.
SlingerDun
04-30-08, 06:59 PM
When I was on the drill field in San Diego from 1978-79, some of the DIs used to spray their covers with Scotch Guard. The idea was that in the event of rain, the water would never soak through. Rather, it'd just bead up and run offScotch Guard, Camp Dry, Camp Kote and other silicon based products are designed as a topical to prevent stains and leaks. If you wanna turn both rain and sweat, spray both sides of the fabric, complete saturation is an expensive waste unless its Thompson's Water Sealhttp://www.leatherneck.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif It's what cowboys been using on hats, leather, cotton canvas...for decades. A quality felt hat saturated with TWS until it can hold no more product will take about 4 or 6 days to dry and another few days for the chemical smell to dissipate then your set. The wax is impregnated and will turn rain and sweat day and night for months or years? When its cold the hat will stiffen hard, in the heat the wax tends to soften
and the hat gets kinda floppy, probably not ideal for a DI. It does all the above with leather boots and tightly woven cotton.
--->Dave
CplKJSpevak
05-16-08, 05:15 AM
Them garters took some getting used to, they make you feel like something bad was going to happen.....a little thing my DI taught was have a tackle box full of extra's...ribbons,chevrons,belt buckles stuff like that....never wore the belt I wore with cammies with charlies and stuff...I wound up having a whole seperate set of clothing just for inspections...
When I was on the drill field in San Diego from 1978-79, some of the DIs used to spray their covers with Scotch Guard. The idea was that in the event of rain, the water would never soak through. Rather, it'd just bead up and run off. Never tried it as I was afraid the Scotch Guard would leave some kinda stain. Some DIs also used to turn their shirts inside out and spray them with Scotch Guard. Here, the idea was that sweat would never show around the pits. One DI used to tell a story where he'd get all Scotch Guarded up (cover, shirt, trousers) then go in the shower and yell at the recruits. He said he stood there under a shower head while it was running and never got wet. This would leave the recruits with dropped jaws.
Garters were pretty much standard issue. We'd wrap them around our legs so you couldn't see the straps when your legs bent. Was really uncomfortable at first but you got used to it.
Another thing we used to do is wear our T-shirts backwards (without the tag, of course). The reason was that - at least back then - the front collar of the T used to sag a little. Looked very sloppy. You wear it backwards and the collar was nice and high and never sagged.
We also used to get our shirts tailored at the waist (and for our short-sleeved shirts, the arms) to make them form-fitting. Sometimes the shirts were so form-fitting that you barely had to blouse them in the back. Dunno if they still do that anymore.
Matt Brzycki
Sergeant (1975-79)
I used to do all of those things. I especially liked standing in the showers as a 3rd. HAT and stressing out my pigs! They worked great:evilgrin:
DI/SDI Sgt. Printz MCRD PI 1st. Rec. Trn. Bn. A Co./C Co. 1988-1990
Big Jim
06-12-08, 06:07 AM
I Stood Many A Cg's Inspection With Junk On The Bunks With 782 Gear And Weapon...all I've Heard The Tricks Being Mentioned Here But What I Haven't Heard Is About The Boot Heels. I Remember A Sgt. Major Who Inspected Me Along With A Lt.col....he Put My Spit-shined-by Hand Boots On A Small Table And Rolled A Pencil Underneather The Heel Because The Heel Was Wore Down Some. The Sgt. Major Looked At Me And Showed Me The Boot Heels And Said, "these Boots Are Unserviceable, Cpl.!! You Need New Boots!!" And Of Course everyone was Gigged For Irish Pennants!! Not One Marine Got Through That Inspection Gig-free!!!
The Point Is...keep You Boot Heels Fresh And New...especially If Your Standing A Cg Inpsection!! I Learned After That One To Buy All New And Wear The Stuff Just A Bit And Leave It All Alone And Keep It Just For Inspection!!! You Don't Want To Display Brand New Equipment.
Old Marine
06-12-08, 08:43 AM
They make nice thin plastic ribbon backers now too. I used them in the Air Guard and as a police officer. Better than cardboard, especially when you're sweaty. They have had those for at 35 years. Available in PX.
Old Marine
06-12-08, 08:54 AM
Used to spray my Campaign Hat with hair spray and put it in the cover block. The brim was very stiff unless it was raining and when it rained the hair spray ran into my eyes. A trick to blousing utilities used to be springs with the 7.62MM slug removed from the shell and put inside the spring for weight. Usually took about 10 of them. The weight kept the trousers nice and tight where they were bloused. The problem was that when you walked, they rattled. Also used pledge on the cor-fam shoes.
Chumley
06-12-08, 09:46 AM
I kept an extra Charlie shirt especially for Boards. It had been pressed to perfection. The best solution would have been to have it tailored, but I improvised. I actually stapled the creases / folds into place, below the belt line of course. That, along with the shirt suspenders made it almost inpossible to come undone during a Board. Since this basically ruined the shirt, definitely unservicable, I would take it off and hang it up immediately afterwards, so that it was ready to go next time.
I still wear the shirt suspenders for all dress shirts...I just feel unsat without them....15 years later. OOORAH
SFi
C
Crusader20
06-12-08, 10:05 AM
Windex on the patent leathers a small piece of cardboard placed behind your charlie shirt to keep the medals straight.
:marine: :flag: SEMPER FI 4 LIFE
YOURS IS NOT TO QUESTION WHY BUT TO DO OR DIE!!!
I used a small piece of the Brown Web belt. Held the medals in place and blended in with the shirt.
Bulkyker
06-12-08, 12:15 PM
I seem to recall just the opposite when it came to Job's. We were gigged if the soles and heals looked brand new. It was better to have walked around in them for a few days, then get started your master piece spit shine.
When I worked in the company police shed... I had to stand next to the company tool kit for inspection. This chisel has been sharpened, gig. This hammer has imprints of nail heads on the face, gig. On and on.
SGT-JOHN-ADDY
06-12-08, 01:04 PM
Do What I Did Spend The Hole Weekend On Your Cammies And A Ton Of Stayflow. You Could Hear Me Walking They Were So Stiff.....lol....other Marines Would Ask Me To Do There Cammies For Boards.....lol
There was this guy in my platoon that used starch mixed with wood glue to iron his cammies and civvies...his cammies were hard as plastic and looked like crap, all shiny and stuff.
DevsDad
06-16-08, 01:48 PM
Thought I'd post this here it kinda fits.. we just got back from a visit to our Marine stationed at the 8th & I in D.C.. Before the Evening Parade on Friday we were able to hang out in Devs room on his deck. The guys were all wrapping wide masking tape around their waists several times (over the waistband of their trousers and about 6 inches up their undershirts) so I asked Dev whats with that. He said it not only helps them look even more tapered than they already are but helps their backs while they are standing so long. Was funny... they write little sayings on the tape, some of them very imaginative! I asked him if he would like one of those back support straps and he said nope.. Dad we Marines Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome remember? Cracked me up!
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