Upon retirement, how should I responsibly sell off my uniforms and gear?

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:32:18 -0400

I'm retiring in a couple of months and I have a lot of uniforms and gear... I'll keep my mess dress, a pair of ABUs (ACUs) and my Service Dress (Class As) so I can attend retirements, dining outs, ceremonies, etc... But I don't need 10 pairs of ABUs, Boots, Blues pants and shirts, Coats, etc.. I was thinking about selling it off but I want to do it responsibly... What needs to be done to them?

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 7:39 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:39:42 -0400

Can they be donated to a shelter for homeless vets?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 19 at 2017 7:42 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:42:29 -0400

Do keep some uniforms for post retirement use and family history. If your installation has a thrift shop where service members could purchase your excess items, give to them. Alternatively remove all military insignia from uniforms and contribute to Goodwill.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 19 at 2017 7:45 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:45:07 -0400

When I got out I just gave my left overs to my soldiers. Took a duffle bag to the CP and told them to have at it. What was left I took to those donation bins that the salvation army often has around most towns and dumped the stuff that was in good shape in there.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 7:58 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 19:58:42 -0400

Remove any insignia, ribbons and awards

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 8:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:32:14 -0400

For "dress" stuff I believe there are organizations that give uniforms to former service members to be buried in if they don't have a set of their own anymore.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 19 at 2017 8:39 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:39:29 -0400

High school ROTC programs.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 19 at 2017 9:54 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 21:54:45 -0400

My supply guy took my old uniforms; the ones other soldiers didn't take.
In addition, I shredded 1 dress set and kept my other one. I just decided I wouldn't contribute in any way, even indirectly, to the posibility that some d-bag would misuse them.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 19 at 2017 10:04 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:04:31 -0400

Thrift shop on the nearest military installation .

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 19 at 2017 10:11 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:11:56 -0400

If you can't give them away to someone still in service I'd donate to some service that shreds and reuses especially combat uniforms.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 11:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 23:49:31 -0400

Medic use them for realistic training in mascal scenarios as well as for dressing patients discharged after emergency care.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Jun 20 at 2017 2:00 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 02:00:48 -0400

I donated mine to a reserve unit

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2017 9:53 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:53:21 -0400

I know that there is a Military Surplus store in Utah that will buy them. But, they have a policy that they have to see your DD 214 before they will buy those items from you. Also, see if there is an AFJROTC program in your hometown and see if the school will take your uniforms as a donation.