What should I do with old uniforms (woodland, DCU, UCP ACUs)?

MAJ Gregory M. — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:45:41 -0500

Response by MSgt George Cater made Jan 29 at 2017 1:50 PM

MSgt George Cater — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:50:53 -0500

Burn em or shred em. Only way to keep them off posers. Or you could sell on eBay for a couple of bucks but then there is the poser thing again.
Best is a base thrift shop. At least that is restricted access for the most part.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 29 at 2017 2:28 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 14:28:59 -0500

Send the B.D.U.'s to me. Most comfortable uniform I ever wore. Well except for the old jungle fatigues.
Failing that ...remove all insignia name tags etc and donate to the salvation Army or Good Will.

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Jan 29 at 2017 2:44 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 14:44:03 -0500

When I retired I had a going out of business sale. All of the uniform parts I sold went to people I knew. But much of my stuff was Borderline unserviceable. (tankers are hard on uniforms) Uniforms are so easily accessible to the public that I don't know if it really matters. I guess it would be up to you sir, whether you make a few bucks or want to know your old uniforms are destroyed and will not be used with ill intentions.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jan 29 at 2017 2:48 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 14:48:31 -0500

As long as it isn't a current uniform, I'd say see if a thrift store or surplus place wants them. For ACU's, though, seems like no re-seller wants them as the market is flooded; they're not in much demand; and there are so many knockoff versions anymore.
I wonder, would somewhere like a high school theater department have use for a couple sets?

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Jan 29 at 2017 3:43 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 15:43:43 -0500

I kept one set of ACUs (and BDUs from before the change) to hang up in my closet. The serviceable ones I gave away to other soldiers in my last unit.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2017 4:18 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 16:18:50 -0500

I'd save your nicest looking ones, keep them for the family I suppose. I know a few guys who use their old ACU's as work clothes for construction or things like that. I know another guy that cut his up as engine rags.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2017 1:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 01:32:21 -0500

I donated mine to the medics. They come in handy for MASCAL exercises.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 30 at 2017 7:49 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 07:49:34 -0500

I kept one of each and burned the rest. I wont lie, it was pretty fun. Class A's burn really fast lol.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 30 at 2017 8:38 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 08:38:37 -0500

Well I don't know about you, but I'm sentimental about those kinds of things, so personally I'd keep them.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jan 30 at 2017 9:17 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 09:17:23 -0500

I'm done in May and I plan on burning mine-the ones no one in my unit wants at any rate. I will keep my old green Class As (for 5 years supply has failed me in getting me the new ASUs), and a pair of ACUs for sentimental reasons, but anything else goes. I'm not a fan of the civilian world getting their hands on (current) military uniforms, so I choose not to contribute to that.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Jan 30 at 2017 9:56 AM

SFC Dennis A. — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 09:56:36 -0500

I donated some of mine to military section of our local museum.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2017 12:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:18:46 -0500

I've keep one set of each for keep sake. The rest went to the trash after worn out. The idea of giving the to the medics or other sections for training (i.e OPFOR) is a good idea too.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2017 12:44 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:44:14 -0500

I've been curious about this myself as my local thrift store has a few class A's on their shelf and wasn't sure where to take them otherwise I would have bought them myself to prevent them from being used for stolen valor or any other disrespect.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 30 at 2017 1:33 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:33:47 -0500

Save one of each in a closet or trunk somewhere. They become historic items from your career. Keep one or two to use for dirty work like painting a house or working on the car. Remove all Service and Rank from the ones you keep for dirty work. Remove all personal and service devices or patches from the rest and give them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill (take a tax deduction).

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jan 31 at 2017 12:49 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:49:09 -0500

1. Save a couple of sets to give your kids or grandkids. I am sure they will like them.
2. Donate them to your local American Legion, VFW, or DAV. I am sure some old vets will also appreciate them.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Jan 31 at 2017 8:43 AM

CPT Larry Hudson — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 08:43:59 -0500

Burn them.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Jan 31 at 2017 10:07 AM

LTC Mark Beattie — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:07:34 -0500

Sell them, give them to Good Will, or the homeless; keep them for outside work, or maybe put a few away to remind you of your days in the military when you get old.

Response by MSgt Randy Martin made Jan 31 at 2017 12:10 PM

MSgt Randy Martin — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:10:31 -0500

Does your state have a defense force or state guard? If so, find a unit nearby and give to them. Most SDF/State Guard members volunteer for no/little pay, but have to maintain a serviceable uniform just like active duty and National Guard members. Any donations to those kinds of units are always appreciated.

Response by LTC Martin Metz made Jan 31 at 2017 3:39 PM

LTC Martin Metz — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 15:39:01 -0500

Taking a suggestion from Ranger Rick's Ranger Digest III, make a laundry or utility bag. I have even used them as shoe bags. Cut off the pant legs at the crouch and select the length you need. Turn the leg inside out and sew up the wide, cut-off portion. Then you turn it right side out and use the draw string end for closure. Your bag is complete! Anyone have ideas for recycling other parts of the uniform?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 8:54 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 08:54:55 -0500

Well.....I'm pretty much a pack rat...I kept my ratty ones for years but ended up selling them...at the time I was stationed on Fort Polk and we had the Post Tag Sale....a local Army/Navy store owner bought every one I had...at the time, uniforms(BDUs) were relatively cheap...$12.50 for Trousers and $12.50 for the Shirt (1999)...I sold them for like $6 bux each..They were too tatered to wear to work My NCOs would eat me alive if I wore them...Today, I use them for hunting, camping, fishing and landscaping/gardening...however; I have many pairs of Realtree patterned camo and wear those mostly now...civie camo?!? heheheheh

I don't really get wrapped around the axel if a poser wears the combat uniforms...some of us can tell if the person wearing them is a genuine veteran...all it takes is a short inquiry and or ask them to produce a dd-214 or a retired ID card...but even if they don't...there is nothing punative in the law saying they can't wear the stuff...I get more wrapped up if they wear a "Class-A" or Class-B w/ Awards...with Awards they clearly didn't earn...every award I have has supporting documentation in my record on my ORB and on my DD-214.......I have every write-up and certificate for each one....

Response by SSG Art Luneau made Feb 1 at 2017 10:49 AM

SSG Art Luneau — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:49:27 -0500

I just gave 4 foot lockers of old gear/ uniforms to my local PD ( 7 cops), you would have thought they were kids in a candy store. Kept my greens and Blues gave them everything else.