Are newly commissioned NROTC Ensigns put on the payroll immediately, or are they sent home (no pay) until they start their respective schools - Flight school, sub school, SWO school etc.?
Marine Corps count on the uniforms running closer to $3k for the full bag of items. Mine were $2k and that did not count the sword (not too long ago, but not really long ago!). The sword was an additional $800 (and is mandatory in the USMC, at the time it was not in the Navy) which my parents bought as my graduation gift. And when I say $2k, that does not include cammies, boots and all the other stuff you need for the field. As kinnem said, ROTC USMC commissioned Lts will get fitted for their Dress Blues at OCS so they can commission in them. They report to TBS in suits if they do not have alphas (most did not unless MECEP or USNA commissioned). So if they do not have a decent suit, recommend getting one. We actually wore suits several times at TBS for events, not sure if they still do that. At TBS they will fit them for all their other uniforms. They generally offer very low interest (might even be no interest) loans for the uniforms that most Lts take and pay off them in about a year.
Great suggestion on the gifts for the holidays and graduations. Covers, insignia stuff, swords, gift cards all make great gifts for those commissioning for those items, especially Marines as our stuff is pricey!
+1 Navy Hoops
My experience was 33 years ago but remarkably similar. We were commissioned the day before graduation in Dress Whites but then we got all the other uniforms during TBS. I remember many briefings on uniforms, fit, etc as well as who the instructors felt were decent outlets. I would bet 95% of the class got their uniforms from the Marine Shop in Quantico. Yes they had loans available and most guys took them but there was no such thing as a low interest loan in 1981!
I am sure my memory is faulty but I would have said that all in (uniforms, tailoring, covers, shoes, belts, insignia, sword, etc) the total was $4,000 - $5000. Of course we also had the long wool overcoat and Dress Whites. I believe the Dress Whites are long gone and the all weather coat replaced the wool one.
As I remember, the sword was a graduation gift for many of my peers.
Marine Corps count on the uniforms running closer to $3k for the full bag of items. Mine were $2k and that did not count the sword (not too long ago, but not really long ago!). The sword was an additional $800 (and is mandatory in the USMC, at the time it was not in the Navy) which my parents bought as my graduation gift. And when I say $2k, that does not include cammies, boots and all the other stuff you need for the field. As kinnem said, ROTC USMC commissioned Lts will get fitted for their Dress Blues at OCS so they can commission in them. They report to TBS in suits if they do not have alphas (most did not unless MECEP or USNA commissioned). So if they do not have a decent suit, recommend getting one. We actually wore suits several times at TBS for events, not sure if they still do that. At TBS they will fit them for all their other uniforms. They generally offer very low interest (might even be no interest) loans for the uniforms that most Lts take and pay off them in about a year.
Great suggestion on the gifts for the holidays and graduations. Covers, insignia stuff, swords, gift cards all make great gifts for those commissioning for those items, especially Marines as our stuff is pricey!
Marine Corps has the same tradition on the first salute. DS is already thinking where he'll get a coin. Not sure about Navy though.