Academy uniforms, where to sell?

U

U$NA2019

New Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2022
Messages
3
Those uniforms we only wear at the academy and never again after i.e. long peacoat, short peacoat, raincoat and also extra passdown uniforms. Where can these be traded in for money? They are worth something.
 
You’d be surprised at how many uniforms those new 2nd LTs shove into garbage cans on their way out of the barracks. If you find an outlet for them, you might want to do a bit of dumpster diving on graduation day. We told our son that we’d like to preserve his Nutcracker uniform, so don’t toss that one. He complied, but we have no idea what happened to the rest.

ETA: Almost forgot. He gifted me his short pea coat for Christmas after he graduated. I guess passing that one to mom is a USMA tradition.
 
U$NA2019 said:
Those uniforms we only wear at the academy and never again after i.e. long peacoat, short peacoat, raincoat and also extra passdown uniforms. Where can these be traded in for money? They are worth something.
Click to expand...
What exactly do you happen to have?
 
You can try to sell, but I think you'll find the market isn't great.

We all get issued the same uniforms. No one really wants your raincoat because they already have their own.

Donating them to the uniform thrift store on base is generally better than dumping them in the trash; at least then they have a chance at a new life rather than taking up space in a landfill.

If you're looking for some kind of sanctioned trade-in program, it doesn't exist.
 
Our oldest son contacted his HS drama club and they were ecstatic to get a load of free (real) uniforms to add to their drama department wardrobe. I know this doesn’t result in any money for you, but it’s a suggestion on where to dispose of uniforms that have no other use.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
Our oldest son contacted his HS drama club and they were ecstatic to get a load of free (real) uniforms to add to their drama department wardrobe. I know this doesn’t result in any money for you, but it’s a suggestion on where to dispose of uniforms that have no other use.

Stealth_81
Click to expand...
In addition to high school drama clubs, consider community theater groups as well as college drama departments.
 
I tried sending you a PM but was unable. You may need a few more posts on here before you can get/receive PMs. When you have enough posts/comments, send me a PM. I have a suggestion for you.
 
If you’re talking about the USNA:

- Navy officer reefer (pea coat is the name used for enlisted version), the short heavy wool one with double-breasted lapels and brass buttons? I still have mine and wear it regularly in season as the warmest parka-length (covers butt) coat I own, perfect for dog-walking in icy cold wind or winter errands. I removed the gold officer buttons, purchased appropriately sized plain black buttons, and took it to the tailor at the dry cleaners and had them sew them on. It takes a serious needle and strong thread to do that on a thick coat, or I would have done it myself. They also removed the shoulder board tabs. Presto, military uniform turned into a legit civilian coat that has, yes, lasted me from 1977 to the present. I get compliments every time I wear it, because it just oozes authenticity.

- Officer Bridge Coat, the heavy long wool coat, double-breasted, gold officer buttons. I did the same button and shoulder board tab alterations as above, but donated it through the coat drive for the homeless my dry cleaner conveniently runs. I already had a civilian dress long wool coat. I wore my bridge coat during my USNA and Pentagon tours, and whenever I was in SDBs and needed a warm coat. I cvilianized it after I retired, and I like to think it is still keeping someone warm.
- Raincoat. Civilianize it, use it, donate it.

Military uniforms, if identifying military elements are removed, can be worn as civilian attire.

I admit to keeping 1 gold officer button on the reefer. It’s the one out of sight, way up under the collar where the very top flap of the lapel would button if I ever wore the reefer fully buttoned up and the collar up around my neck in classic Navy style.

Here’s a visual of the enlisted Navy pea coat, which has dark buttons. This is the Lone Sailor statue.

B6A04B10-0CFB-4456-92F5-0EF062395B8E.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Capt MJ said:
If you’re talking about the USNA:

- Navy officer reefer (pea coat is the name used for enlisted version), the short heavy wool one with double-breasted lapels and brass buttons? I still have mine and wear it regularly in season as the warmest parka-length (covers butt) coat I own, perfect for dog-walking in icy cold wind or winter errands. I removed the gold officer buttons, purchased appropriately sized plain black buttons, and took it to the tailor at the dry cleaners and had them sew them on. It takes a serious needle and strong thread to do that on a thick coat, or I would have done it myself. They also removed the shoulder board tabs. Presto, military uniform turned into a legit civilian coat that has, yes, lasted me from 1977 to the present. I get compliments every time I wear it, because it just oozes authenticity.

- Officer Bridge Coat, the heavy long wool coat, double-breasted, gold officer buttons. I did the same button and shoulder board tab alterations as above, but donated it through the coat drive for the homeless my dry cleaner conveniently runs. I already had a civilian dress long wool coat. I wore my bridge coat during my USNA and Pentagon tours, and whenever I was in SDBs and needed a warm coat. I cvilianized it after I retired, and I like to think it is still keeping someone warm.
- Raincoat. Civilianize it, use it, donate it.

Military uniforms, if identifying military elements are removed, can be worn as civilian attire.

I admit to keeping 1 gold officer button on the reefer. It’s the one out of sight, way up under the collar where the very top flap of the lapel would button if I ever wore the reefer fully buttoned up and the collar up around my neck in classic Navy style.

Here’s a visual of the enlisted Navy pea coat, which has dark buttons. This is the Lone Sailor statue.

View attachment 12921
Click to expand...
Great tips. Will advise DS. Great repurposing.
 
We had a couple of bridge coats that were shared as community property for us Junior Officers to wear when we had OOD or Boat O duties in port. I recall those coats came in handy in winter port calls in Hong Kong and Hobart. I'm sure the coats came from an Academy grad since none of us ROTC or OCS guys got to keep ours.
 
ebay is full of them, a uniform collector might be willing to pay a minimal amount but for the most part they are worth very little.
 
Pro -tip: If you can civilianize and sell them on eBay, do so... they tend to shrink when stored in dark closets for a long time.
(BZ CAPT MJ for finding the Reefer that maintains its size :) ! I would love to still be able to wear mine !)

VelveteenR said:
We told our son that we’d like to preserve his Nutcracker uniform, so don’t toss that one
Click to expand...
Had to laugh at this one.... my full dress (drill) jacket purposefully disappeared after its swim in the Severn after the last Prade. Somehow my Mother in Law salvaged it, and we found it in her attic 30+ years later. (And yes, it shrank !)
 
Capt MJ said:
If you’re talking about the USNA:

- Navy officer reefer (pea coat is the name used for enlisted version), the short heavy wool one with double-breasted lapels and brass buttons? I still have mine and wear it regularly in season as the warmest parka-length (covers butt) coat I own, perfect for dog-walking in icy cold wind or winter errands. I removed the gold officer buttons, purchased appropriately sized plain black buttons, and took it to the tailor at the dry cleaners and had them sew them on. It takes a serious needle and strong thread to do that on a thick coat, or I would have done it myself. They also removed the shoulder board tabs. Presto, military uniform turned into a legit civilian coat that has, yes, lasted me from 1977 to the present. I get compliments every time I wear it, because it just oozes authenticity.

- Officer Bridge Coat, the heavy long wool coat, double-breasted, gold officer buttons. I did the same button and shoulder board tab alterations as above, but donated it through the coat drive for the homeless my dry cleaner conveniently runs. I already had a civilian dress long wool coat. I wore my bridge coat during my USNA and Pentagon tours, and whenever I was in SDBs and needed a warm coat. I cvilianized it after I retired, and I like to think it is still keeping someone warm.
- Raincoat. Civilianize it, use it, donate it.

Military uniforms, if identifying military elements are removed, can be worn as civilian attire.

I admit to keeping 1 gold officer button on the reefer. It’s the one out of sight, way up under the collar where the very top flap of the lapel would button if I ever wore the reefer fully buttoned up and the collar up around my neck in classic Navy style.

Here’s a visual of the enlisted Navy pea coat, which has dark buttons. This is the Lone Sailor statue.

View attachment 12921
Click to expand...
Old NAPSTER trick - sew the buttons on with a heavy gauge needle and dental floss instead of thread. Much more durable.
 
8th Wing Refugee said:
Old NAPSTER trick - sew the buttons on with a heavy gauge needle and dental floss instead of thread. Much more durable.
Click to expand...
That heavy gauge coat needle and industrial-strength thimble is what I needed! The alterations folks at Admiral Cleaners here in Annapolis got a kick out of what I was doing. Made my reefer look fresh and clean. I just got it dry cleaned in preparation for chillier dog walking weather. That thing is so thick is just stops the wind.
 
Our son gifted me his peacoat for Christmas the year he graduated. I’m a tad under 5’4", he is 6’2.” The jacket hit him just below the hip but looks like a regular coat on me. Fortunately, the knit cuffs keep the sleeves from being too long. Ha! It‘s very warm, though there aren’t too many days in AZ when I can wear it.

1665537363734.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top