Where to buy USMMA Swag/Fan Gear/Clothing... anything with a logo

shiner

shiner

USAFA Grad, Faculty 3yrs, ALO 7yrs
10-Year Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2010
Messages
1,185
All Service Academies struggle to get product out in the retail space. However, USCGA and USMMA have a particularly difficult time because of their smaller enrollment and alumni base. For new parents looking to outfit the family in support of your new Mid, it is difficult to say the least. Here is a consolidated list of options I have found that should simplify your search.

Option 1) http://usmmaapparel.com - wide selection - but bad prices, questionable quality, and historically long lead times for delivery
Option 2) https://bit.ly/34TP0wm - a cafe press site created by a grad to fill a real void in options
Option 3) https://bit.ly/2X9trnv - the semi-official page on the USMMA site that points out to other locations
Option 4) https://bit.ly/3hy26V9 - facebook group containing offerings by various parent's clubs

Option 5) Navy Exchange store on campus (NEX) - think tax-free walmart-like store for students. BEST OPTION in my opinion. SCAN this QR with your phone or CLICK HERE to see a flier created by a parent who was frustrated with options 1-4. NOTE: The pictures/prices/info in this document are from May 2020 and are likely different today. Call to confirm details with the contact info listed in the document.
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shiner said:
All Service Academies struggle to get product out in the retail space. However, USCGA and USMMA have a particularly difficult time because of their smaller enrollment and alumni base. For new parents looking to outfit the family in support of your new Mid, it is difficult to say the least. Here is a consolidated list of options I have found that should simplify your search.

Option 1) http://usmmaapparel.com - wide selection - but bad prices, questionable quality, and historically long lead times for delivery
Option 2) https://bit.ly/34TP0wm - a cafe press site created by a grad to fill a real void in options
Option 3) https://bit.ly/2X9trnv - the semi-official page on the USMMA site that points out to other locations
Option 4) https://bit.ly/3hy26V9 - facebook group containing offerings by various parent's clubs

Option 5) Navy Exchange store on campus (NEX) - think tax-free walmart-like store for students. BEST OPTION in my opinion. SCAN this QR with your phone or CLICK HERE to see a flier created by a parent who was frustrated with options 1-4. NOTE: The pictures/prices/info in this document are from May 2020 and are likely different today. Call to confirm details with the contact info listed in the document.
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We can purchase from NEX before DS gets onboard?
 
The NEX at KP has a good selection at reasonable prices and the quality is much better then prep sports. Most of the local parents association chapters also sell KP gear and items. They are an excellent source. You can find your PA chapter info on the National Parents Association page.
 
cmakin said:
And I didn't keep a damn thing. . . . light bag for my trip back home in June. . . .
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My uncle didn’t keep anything, either. All he says is, he pulled up his truck (kept at a local neighbor property), opened his window and dumped whatever he was taking into it but it wasn’t much. He was on the first floor. Lol.
 
cmakin said:
And I didn't keep a damn thing. . . . light bag for my trip back home in June. . . .
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My kid didn't take much with him when he graduated.. Two things he did take home were his 'A' jacket and a couple of KP sweatshirts.. The 'A' jacket has been hanging in my closet for many years.. Although I think they're kinda classic looking, he doesn't seem to be too keen on getting it back.. I don't believe the 'A' jacket is issued anymore at KP. If anyone is interested, there happens to be one for sale on EBay. It's an early 80's issue without the class year numerals. It's also a bit pricey..
 

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deepdraft1 said:
My kid didn't take much with him when he graduated.. Two things he did take home were his 'A' jacket and a couple of KP sweatshirts.. The 'A' jacket has been hanging in my closet for many years.. Although I think they're kinda classic looking, he doesn't seem to be too keen on getting it back.. I don't believe the 'A' jacket is issued anymore at KP. If anyone is interested, there happens to be one for sale on EBay. It's an early 80's issue without the class year numerals. It's also a bit pricey..
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In my day, A Jackets were kind of uncomfortable because they were unlined. I DID keep my 81B tee shirt with a, well, interesting theme. . . . Don't think I still have it, though. Not that I could even fit into it if I found it. . . ..
 
deepdraft1 said:
My kid didn't take much with him when he graduated.. Two things he did take home were his 'A' jacket and a couple of KP sweatshirts.. The 'A' jacket has been hanging in my closet for many years.. Although I think they're kinda classic looking, he doesn't seem to be too keen on getting it back.. I don't believe the 'A' jacket is issued anymore at KP. If anyone is interested, there happens to be one for sale on EBay. It's an early 80's issue without the class year numerals. It's also a bit pricey..
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They are still issued! My 2021 MIDN wears his quite a bit. They are classic and hope they continue to issue them to future classes.
 
azmilmom said:
They are still issued! My 2021 MIDN wears his quite a bit. They are classic and hope they continue to issue them to future classes.
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My son told me the company that made the Alpha jackets burned down in 2004, and that’s why they were discontinued. Sounds like KP found another manufacturer.
Seeing cadets wearing those jackets aboard ship used to serve as a marker for me on how long I’d been in the maritime industry.. Through my career I saw class numerals on those things stretch from 77 to 07..
 
deepdraft1 said:
My son told me the company that made the Alpha jackets burned down in 2004, and that’s why they were discontinued. Sounds like KP found another manufacturer.
Seeing cadets wearing those jackets aboard ship used to serve as a marker for me on how long I’d been in the maritime industry.. Through my career I saw class numerals on those things stretch from 77 to 07..
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Man, I never wore mine during sea year. I think that I only wore my Academy issued boiler suit on my first two ships, too. In fact, I only boarded my first Sea Year ship in uniform. And brought khakis, too. Good thing. Only ship I ever sailed on that required khakis at meal time.
 
deepdraft1 said:
My kid didn't take much with him when he graduated.. Two things he did take home were his 'A' jacket and a couple of KP sweatshirts.. The 'A' jacket has been hanging in my closet for many years.. Although I think they're kinda classic looking, he doesn't seem to be too keen on getting it back.. I don't believe the 'A' jacket is issued anymore at KP. If anyone is interested, there happens to be one for sale on EBay. It's an early 80's issue without the class year numerals. It's also a bit pricey..
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I have a doormat from USMMA and a wool blue blanket with the seal from USMMA that my uncle brought home. He has his P coat, long coat, and A jacket.
 
cmakin said:
Man, I never wore mine during sea year. I think that I only wore my Academy issued boiler suit on my first two ships, too. In fact, I only boarded my first Sea Year ship in uniform. And brought khakis, too. Good thing. Only ship I ever sailed on that required khakis at meal time.
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Wearing the 'A' jacket during sea year was probably just a 'deckie' thing.. Back in the late 70's I was on an APL ship and we had two first sailing cadets report aboard in dress blues.. It was like a scene right out of 'Action in the North Atlantic'.. I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen anymore.
 

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deepdraft1 said:
Wearing the 'A' jacket during sea year was probably just a 'deckie' thing.. Back in the late 70's I was on an APL ship and we had two first sailing cadets report aboard in dress blues.. It was like a scene right out of 'Action in the North Atlantic'.. I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen anymore.
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I don't know. My first ship was an APL ship in the late 70s, and we were told to report onboard in our blues. As I stated above, I didn't wear it boarding any other ships. At the time the ATR out of San Francisco was pretty lax. I only ever contacted him over the phone. I know in the Gulf and East Coasts ports, the ATR would review Sea Project progress and were much more involved. My guy would ask me what ship I wanted next and see what he could do to make it happen. I am guessing most cadets get on MSC vessels these days.
 
cmakin said:
Man, I never wore mine during sea year. I think that I only wore my Academy issued boiler suit on my first two ships, too. In fact, I only boarded my first Sea Year ship in uniform. And brought khakis, too. Good thing. Only ship I ever sailed on that required khakis at meal time.
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My MIDN never wore it on a ship during Sea Year--if he had it, he definitely wouldn't have brought it! He was a minimalist on all sailings and brought the more practical Carhartt jacket and layers as none of his ships required any uniform. He did bring khakis just in case though. I wonder if USMMA issued a warmer jacket alternative during your time there? Mine also has a longer pea coat as well. The classes of 2022 or 2023 were issued a different type of 'pea coat' with a liner and I understand they're a good alternative.
 
azmilmom said:
My MIDN never wore it on a ship during Sea Year--if he had it, he definitely wouldn't have brought it! He was a minimalist on all sailings and brought the more practical Carhartt jacket and layers as none of his ships required any uniform. He did bring khakis just in case though. I wonder if USMMA issued a warmer jacket alternative during your time there? Mine also has a longer pea coat as well. The classes of 2022 or 2023 were issued a different type of 'pea coat' with a liner and I understand they're a good alternative.
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Oh, yeah. We had the "pea coat" and a "bridge coat" for the more formal uniform. I still remember my first encounter with subzero weather, blowing snow and it being so cold that I was in pain. Made an impression on this native Californian.
 
cmakin said:
Oh, yeah. We had the "pea coat" and a "bridge coat" for the more formal uniform. I still remember my first encounter with subzero weather, blowing snow and it being so cold that I was in pain. Made an impression on this native Californian.
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Where are you from in CA? Are you still in CA? I am also a native Californian and my 2024 son is also a native Californian. He is going to be leaving the mid-60's temps here in Nor Cal to go back to KP in just a couple of days.
 
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