Has anyone used the uniform builder on the AAFES website? If so, how was it?

2019-05-18T22:36:47-04:00

Newly direct commissioned Army officer and I need to purchase uniforms. The closest military base to me is 4+ hours drive away. Has anyone used the uniform builder on the AAFES website? If so how was it? Worth the extra cost or is it better to purchase the uniforms and have tapes made elsewhere and take them with you to a base and have the uniform shop sew them on for you?

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made May 18 at 2019 10:42 PM

2019-05-18T22:42:08-04:00

All depends on what you want to use it for. It's good for hard to find ribbons and metals. And good for spacing, and if you want have it mounted or not too have it look professional.

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 18 at 2019 11:03 PM

2019-05-18T23:03:52-04:00

Depending on how fast you need all the uniforms you could check the nearest basic training post DRMO sales of uniform items for sale previously worn by trainees that didn’t graduate. Or hold off getting a complete set until after you’re at your first duty station

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 18 at 2019 11:06 PM

2019-05-18T23:06:40-04:00

When I mobilized to active duty after more than a decade in Reserves I had name tapes made so I could wet em down then dry before getting them sewn on new uniforms

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 18 at 2019 11:51 PM

2019-05-18T23:51:26-04:00

That far away I would go to a local tailor. Probably same price. Aafees is not s real Benny. Commissary is.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made May 19 at 2019 12:35 AM

2019-05-19T00:35:45-04:00

AAFES: Last year’s fashions, this year’s prices.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 12:44 AM

2019-05-19T00:44:38-04:00

I use usamilitarymedals.com. It generally tends to be a little cheaper and the rack builder is pretty easy to use.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 1:11 AM

2019-05-19T01:11:37-04:00

It’s pretty convenient. I used it for 2 sets of OCPs. Got to me pretty quick and wasn’t terribly priced. That depends on how much flair you have to get sewn on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 8:54 AM

2019-05-19T08:54:07-04:00

AAFES is in charge of military clothing sales for the US Army. In general, AAFES does a horrible job taking care of Soldiers. Their website does not even offer/sell all uniform items prescribed by the Army, let alone carry the item in a size that fits. Rather than selling the lower cost issued items in their physical stores or online website, AAFES often only sells higher priced commercial versions. For example, instead of selling the $5 issued version of the black fleece PT cap, you'll typically find a commercial version selling for $9. Or instead of the AAFES brand US Flag patch for $3, they'll sell the $5 flag patch Ira Green.

Next time you're in AAFES uniform shop, take a look at all the badges, rank, and other patches. Are they low cost AAFES brand issued items or higher cost commercial brands for nearly twice as much? (Vanguard, Ira Green, Brigade QM, etc) Do they even carry your DUI or do you have to order it from a commercial source? Do they have a wall of commercial brands in full display, while the few lower cost AAFES brand and issued items are rather hard to find? Why can't Soldiers buy the more inexpensive gov issued uniform items (rank, badges, unit patches, flag patches, etc) instead of only being offered the marked-up commercial uniform items. This is particularly true for satellite shops away from the main store with a relatively captive customer base (i.e. North Ft Hood AAFES)

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 5:05 PM

2019-05-19T17:05:01-04:00

Go to Marlow White, they are the best at uniforms. Get your measurements, call em up and talk with em about your normal fit and everything and they'll mail em to you and you'll just need the final tailoring like hemming the pants. I got my Mess Dress uniform from em, fit perfectly right out of the box.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2019 10:18 PM

2019-08-19T22:18:31-04:00

Well ordered 3 sets of the army combat uniform with rank, army tape, name tapes to be seen on. Just got them in the mail today. Name tapes are sewn on and so is the branch tape, but they neglected to sew on the rank patch and just found them all laying in their packages in the bottom of the box. Ugh. Thank heavens I know how to sew and I have a few weeks before DCC.