Fun Question

T

tweety_bird

USNA 2025
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
170
I just accepted my appointment, and so far I have a USNA sweatshirt and running shorts.

What are your favorite, must-have USNA or Navy-branded items? I heard families spend thousands of dollars on merchandise on I-Day!
 
I’m a mom and my FAV thing, is a huge, oversized, usna hoodie. Sold in the Mid Store, to the public. I probably wear it too much, but the cuffs are long and cover my cold hands. The hood is amply big, bigger than normal, and I can cover up in it when cold. Or block out the world when I need to. I love it and wear it most mornings! Warm and snuggly.

Mids probably hate them 😂

As far as commemorative ‘must haves’, the class t-thirt, class tote bag, and class blanket are my personal favs.

One can also never go wrong with a neat keychain (they are quite affordable, make good little gifts), lanyard and of course jewelry (personal fav is my N-star necklace).

And yes, we did actually have to purchase a suitcase to bring it all home. Of course this wasn’t last year as the store wasn’t open.
 
Last edited:
tweety_bird said:
I just accepted my appointment, and so far I have a USNA sweatshirt and running shorts.

What are your favorite, must-have USNA or Navy-branded items? I heard families spend thousands of dollars on merchandise on I-Day!
Click to expand...
Depends if you are talking for yourself or family. For yourself, as an appointee, you’ll be wearing issue gear and acquire spirit gear. You will be longing for anything “not Navy” by the time you earn full civilian clothes privileges as a mid. It’s when you come back as an alumni you will go nuts in the Mid Store.

For me, Bill The Goat socks as a discreet nod to a place I hold in great esteem but am not an alumni of. Navy leashes and collars for the dogs for dress-up walks in DTA or on the Yard when once again allowed. DH has the usual alumni wardrobe, now with class crest and year, not just general Navy insignia. His favorite is a classic navy and gold striped silk tie, with a small crest.

Big I-day buys: The annual T-shirt with all the class names on the back. I think there is sometimes a tote bag with the names. Sells out every year. The ever-popular and appropriately embarrassing Proud Dad/Mom/Grandparent polos.
 
By the time you graduate you won’t own any t shirts or shorts that aren’t somehow associated with USNA. Even as an OG from many years ago... I still have tons of t-shirts, shorts and sweatshirts. If it says Navy basketball, I own it. I do have a few polos I wear for BGO events or to work. I also have a nice USNA button down for work. My most treasured item, although not worn very often, is my class ring... mostly because the day I made it on the Yard I wasn’t sure I was going to make it at USNA. For graduation my sponsors gave me a beautiful water color of USNA that is framed in my house.
 
I still use my USNA laundry bags too! I use the dry cleaning bag to haul my stuff to the cleaners and they return my suits and shirts in the bag. I also still use my original USNA issued toiletry bag when I travel. The amount of miles that thing has traveled. I also still have my USNA issued stapler and ruler with alpha code at my home desk.
 
DH has sturdy but time-ravaged 20th c. issue b-robe. That thing used to go on deployments with him. I think he used it more as a layer between him and scratchy Navy wool blankets at sea. Varsity letter N* sweater, of course, carefully handled, and still worn at reunions. His original cuff links, plus a pair of USMA cuff links he swapped for at an A-N game with a cadet. We both have our original Navy plain wool watch caps, still some of the warmest headgear we own.
 
justdoit19 said:
I’m a mom and my FAV thing, is a huge, oversized, usna hoodie. Sold in the Mid Store, to the public. I probably wear it too much, but the cuffs are long and cover my cold hands. The hood is amply big, bigger than normal, and I can cover up in it when cold. Or block out the world when I need to. I love it and wear it most mornings! Warm and snuggly.

Mids probably hate them 😂

As far as commemorative ‘must haves’, the class t-thirt, class tote bag, and class blanket are my personal favs.

One can also never go wrong with a neat keychain (they are quite affordable, make good little gifts), lanyard and of course jewelry (personal fav is my N-star necklace).

And yes, we did actually have to purchase a suitcase to bring it all home. Of course this wasn’t last year as the store wasn’t open.
Click to expand...
Surely you have found the Online Mid Store. There are many sources who are licensed to sell Navy gear. The Online Mid Store is the official one; proceeds cycled back to Brigade Fund.

Official Naval Academy Midshipmen Online Store | USNA Navyonline

The Official U.S. Naval Academy Store where 100% of proceeds of Navy apparel, gear and accessories go directly back to the Brigade of Midshipmen. Shop today!
go.navyonline.com go.navyonline.com
 
Capt MJ said:
Surely you have found the Online Mid Store. There are many sources who are licensed to sell Navy gear. The Online Mid Store is the official one; proceeds cycled back to Brigade Fund.

Official Naval Academy Midshipmen Online Store | USNA Navyonline

The Official U.S. Naval Academy Store where 100% of proceeds of Navy apparel, gear and accessories go directly back to the Brigade of Midshipmen. Shop today!
go.navyonline.com go.navyonline.com
Click to expand...
Oh yes. I have found it. Rather it found ME 😳 And their coupons, free shipping with XX sales, taunt my email daily. All simply a click away....

Plus, it’s for a good cause, right?? That’s how I justify.

My purchasing has dwindled. I have 2 years worth of work under my belt....I suspect it will pick up again with an impeding Firstie year?
 
I had my Navy B-Robe until my son went to USNA and I donated it to him as that is no longer a "thing" there and it was very much appreciated by his class/roommates. I still have my Army B-Robe that I won as a plebe.

My class facebook group has been posting pics of what people still have so this is fresh in my mind.

I still have my issued Slide Rules - full sized as well as mini-pocket version
I have all of my original "press shop tags".

One of my friends posted pics of his issued leggings - no not the womens tights, these are the issued leggings for drill and some people call them "gaitors".
 
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