Sorry if this sounds a bit naive, but I believe, and I may be wrong that Marines need to buy their dress blues. I would like to gift a few of them by paying for them. The Marines in question have joined from families that are a bit poor and they are trying to support them. I would like to ease this a bit. I would like to do this anonymously but not quite sure how to? Sorry if this is silly but I would like to contribute. Is there a way.
Thank you.
2007-07-28 15:27:18 · 7 answers · asked by eclectic_mira 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No they are in recruit training now. I want to donate the uniforms to them. I know I can't physically buy them. I want to make sure they have the uniforms when they graduate.
2007-07-28 15:36:18 · update #1
I wasn't sure what to "google" as I thought I would come here first to see what Marines and those associated with them thought.
But I will look around I'm a bit new to all this. I don't want to embarrass them I just want them to be standing proud and not know I did this.
thank you all for your answers.
2007-07-28 15:58:08 · update #2
What a great gesture!!
There's a bit of a misunderstanding. Yes, Marines do have to purchase their own dress blues, unless they are the Platoon Leader, in which case the Marine Corps purchases their blue's for them for graduation. Platoon Leaders are the only graduating Marines to appear at Graduation in their dress blues. The others wear ... oh, crud.. I forget what they're called. They're green.. and very sharp. So unless these young recruits are platoon honor man, they will have to purchase their blues.
Recruits and Marines are given an annual uniform allowance. The first one is pretty hefty, because they have to buy ALL their uniforms, accessories, covers, and underpinnings. Most recruits DO purchase their dress blues, but it is not mandatory, as they are only worn for very special occasions.
Recruits are paid monthly while they're in boot camp, and the money goes into a checking account they set up with the Corps during the first week or so of Boot Camp. Before they leave boot, their account will get debited for their uniform expenses... and for any pictures and boot camp yearbooks they order.
The Marines I know bought all kinds of Boot Camp memorabilia... and the uniforms... and the blues... and still left boot with over $1,000 in their pockets...
As for purchasing their Dress Blues for them... I don't know of a way you can arrange to do that. They don't really deal in cash... the recruits are fitted for uniforms... the uniforms arrive... and their accounts get debited. So unless you can find a way to make a deposit to their checking account, I'm not sure how it can happen.
You could always try calling the Company Commander and see if he has any advice on how you might do this, or if they recommend it. If you have the Company ID... (Alpha Company, Delta Company, etc...) you can simply call whichever Recruit Depot they're in training at and ask to speak to that company's Company Commander. (Never hurts to start at the top, right?)
Each of the Recruit Depot's has a website... the numbers will be there.
Good Luck with this... and thanks again! These are a couple of fortunate recruits!
2007-07-28 20:11:35 · answer #1 · answered by Amy S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Despite what the above poster said, you only get issued the Dress Blue trousers and the white cover, and it is the cheap cotton cover at that. The only person issued a blouse is each platoon's honor graduate. The uniform that recruits wear for graduation is either the Dress Blue Charlies (Blue Trousers, long sleeved khaki shirt, field scarf, white cover) or Dress Blue Deltas (Blue Trousers, short sleeved khaki shirt, white cover) based on the time of year. Even if they were given the blouse, they would not be allowed to wear it for the graduation ceremony.
As for the best way to donate anonymously, I don't know exactly. The blouses aren't something that can be bought "off the shelf", and thrown on. They have to be tailored to fit, and, in most cases, you need to buy better brass for them, because the brass that comes with the uniform sucks. Your best bet would be to send a money order for about 400 dollars to the recruits you want to buy uniforms for, without a return address, and an unsigned note saying what the money is for.
2007-07-29 01:01:48 · answer #2 · answered by joby10095 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd start by contacting a recruiting office in the area where your Marines in question enlisted from. Since the recruiting services are now mostly combined [all services work out of one place] ask to speak to a Marine recruiter...they'll be able to point you in the right direction. It's a neat idea, BTW. Back in the day, the USMC provided your first set of blues but any replacements or tailoring or additional pieces were your responsibility thereafter. When you were a Fleet Marine [posted on a ship] the smart thing was to have 3 of everything for your blues--one on your back, one being cleaned or repaired, and one in the closet. On a long cruise on a big ocean, you'd better have everything with you. Clean and ready, that is.
2007-07-28 22:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by constantreader 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are near a Marine Base. If so, call the base operator and ask to talk to the "Base Senior Enlisted Adviser". Tell him or her what you told us. If there is a way that individual should know it or be able to find out for you.
There are also web sites that endeavor to help troops. I don't know any specific sites but they do exist. A few minutes of searching should get you all the information you need.
One more option, the Veterans Of Foreign Wars have people who would love to help you accomplish your mission.
I'm retired from the Air Force and was made an Honorary Marine. I am touched by your sentiments and thank you from all of those now serving as well as all that went before. Thank you...
2007-07-28 22:42:00 · answer #4 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
each recruit is given a uniform allowance to help pay for the uniforms they must buy. the Dress Uniform I think you are referring to( the scrumptious one with the Red jacket/gold stripe down the Blue slacks) is EXPENSIVE. several hundred dollars per set, including tailoring and having the proper ranks badges sewn on.
2007-07-29 10:20:39 · answer #5 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do want to buy Dress, I think you can consider to buy online, I think there are many good-looking skirt. I've bought here, I feel very good, I think you can see if you will not be disappointed
http://www.china-walmart.com/product/category/Pop-Fashion-Dresses-0-0-46-1.html?af=15
2014-09-15 08:08:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first set of dress blues will, be given to them in boot camp, and the payment for them will be taken out of their first pay check.
If you still want to help these Marines, I would call either the Chaplin or the Moral, Welfare, and Recreation office where they are stationed they maybe able to help point you in the right direction.
2007-07-28 22:34:32 · answer #7 · answered by Insane 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You/d have to give the money to them as civilians can't buy uniforms unless they are from a surplus store.
2007-07-28 22:32:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋