Change of Watch Uniform Preperation for the Tropical Blue Long.

Here are some tips to help prep your Tropical Blue Uniform to give it a more formal look for those members who don’t own Winter Dress Blue or Service Dress Blue uniforms. In this article, we will look at pressing your uniform, adding military creases, and tricks for installing your attachments.

PRESSING AND CREASING YOUR UNIFORM SHIRT.

Step 1. Pressing the Shirt.

a. Iron with steam and let cool.

b. Starch with no steam to get wrinkles out (do a panel at a time).

c. The Yoke (figure 1) will need two be starched twice at this step as well as the epilates and collar. This will not be starched later and will help pop your military creases on the back.

Step 2. Adding the military crease to the front on the shirt.

a. The crease will run right through the shirt pocket button. Measure this distance from the edge of the shirt to the button (see figure 2) This will be the distance from the top to the bottom of the shirt.

b. With no steam very lightly press the crease from the button down to the bottom of shirt.

c. If you feel the crease is right, press with steam.

d. Now starch and iron twice to set the crease.

e. With no steam very lightly press the crease from the button up to the top of shirt and repeat steps C and D.

f. Repeat step 2 for the other side.

Step 3. Sleeve creases.

a. Fold the sleeve in half with the seam at the bottom of the shirt.

b. Lightly crease the shirt with no steam.

c. If you feel the crease is right, press with steam.

d. Starch twice and flip the shirt and starch the backside twice.

e. Repeat steps A, B, C, and D for the other sleeve.

Step 4. Back Creases (DO NOT CREASE ABOVE THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE YOKE, SEE FIGURE 3)

a. Fold the shirt in half to find where the middle crease will go. This step should be taken with care. This will make your creases straight or angled. (Align the side seams to get the straight crease). (See figure 4).

b. Once the middle is found, lightly crease with no steam.

c. Press middle crease with steam to set temporarily.

d. If you have a DVD case, you can use it to set the width of the other two creases along the back.

e. Use the DVD case width to find your crease and slowly press the crease with the dry iron.

f. Press side crease with steam.

g. Repeat steps E and F for other side crease.

h. Start from one side and starch each side of the crease twice.

i. Work your way to the middle and then the other side by following step H.

Now your shirt is squared away and you’re ready to install your attachments.

ATTACHING YOUR INSIGNIA AND DEVICES.

Set you’re ironing table up with a towel folded a couple of times laid on top. Have some white cardboard, a pair of scissors and a ruler (I like to use a clear ruler).

Cardboard will be used behind the attachments to suck them to the shirt which will stop the drooping appearance. A good starching job to the shirt helps keep this from happening as well.

Step 1. Nametag (If you have an AUXOP device follow step 2)

a. First cut a piece of cardboard the same size as your nametag and set aside.

b. A quick method of finding the general area is to align the name’s middle letter (JAMES would be “m”) with the crease and place your name tag so the clutch posts are parallel with your uniform and the bottom of the name tag is against the top of the pocket. (Clutches pointing towards the top of your shirt).

c. Roll the name tag and push the clutch posts through the shirt. This should be close to the ¼ inch spacing from the top of the pocket.

d. Now fine tune the spacing with the ruler.

e. Place the cardboard piece you cut earlier inside of the shirt and align with your name tag and push the clutch posts through the cardboard and secure the clutches to the posts.

f. Check for alignment.

Step 2. Ribbons and Insignia/devise (if you only have ribbons, follow steps A through F of step 1)

a. Start with your ribbons and follow steps B, C, and D of step 1.

b. If you have any other insignia/devise follow steps B, C, and D of step 1 using the ribbons like you would the top of the shirt pocket.

c. This step is a little trickier then with your name tag. Take a piece of cardboard (this piece should be white) and place on top of your ribbons and device. Cut cardboard to the general size and then attach like step E and trim as necessary.

d. Once cut to size, attach clutches and check for alignment.(See Figure 5)

I hope these steps will help you ready you’re uniform for the Change of Watch. If you have any questions about getting your uniform ready or any general uniform question, please send me an email.

A Winterization Reminder.

A friendly reminder that its getting cold and we need to check that our cars, boats, and houses are ready for the deep freeze. Here are some things to check for.

Tips for your home.

1) Furnace Inspection

2) Check Fireplace For Proper Operation

3) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

4) Prevent Plumbing Freezes

5) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces

6) Prepare an Emergency Kit

7) Install Crawl Space Vent Covers and Water Spout Covers.


Tips For Your Car.

1) Install new wiper blades.

2) Have your cooling system checked. (A bad thermostat or improper antifreeze level can harm your engine)

3) Have your battery checked. (A battery 4 1/2 years old should be replaced)

4) Check your tire pressure. (Tires may become low as the temperature drops)

5) Make sure the tires are in good condition. If you are not sure what this means, ask a mechanic.

6) Check the lights, heater and defroster.

7) Keep the fuel tank as full as possible to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel lines.

8) Get a break check done if you haven't had one done in the last 6 months. (A lot of shops offer free break checks)

9) Put together an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car: blanket, extra boots and gloves, ice scraper, small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow).

10) Check that your traction chains or cables are in good condition. Practice installing chains in your driveway before the snow hits to refresh your memory on installation.


Tips For Your Boat.

1) Engine(s)

• Change the oil.(Warm engine first to help the flow of oil and particulates)
  
• Remove spark plugs and use fogging oil in each cylinder.
  
• Open all water drains and allow to drain. (There are different methods for various motors. Check owners manual)
• Take a shop rag and wipe down the motor with fogging oil.
  

2) Stern Drive(s)

• Inspect stern drive for and remove plant life.
• Drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture. (This could indicate leaking seals and would need repairs done)
• Check all boots for cracks and holes. (Drive should be stored in the down position. This will keep from stretching and wearing out the boot)
• Grease all fittings and check fluid in the power steering and trim/trailering pumps.
  
• Check owners manual for further steps.
  

3) Fuel

• Fill tanks as full as possible. (This will help avoid condensation buildup)
• Add a fuel stabilizer by following the instructions on the bottle.
  
• Change the fuel filter and water separator.
  
• Watch out for hi level Ethanol fuels. Ethanol adsorbs water and storage over time will harm your fuel system.
  

4) Bilges

• Clean and dry bilges.
  
• Spray with moisture displacing lubricant and add a little antifreeze to keep any water from freezing. (Drain antifreeze from bilge into an appropriate container)

5) Other Steps

• Remove any equipment not needed while in storage. (PFDs, Electronics, FDSs, Fire Extinguishers, Fender and Lines)
• Open all Cabinets and Drawers.
  
• Appliances ready for long storage.
  
• E-Z Dry or heaters.
  
• Remove Battery and trickle charge or charge every 30 days.
  

I hope this helps you in your winterizing efforts this year. This is by no means a complete list or an appropriate list for you house, car or boat. These are just generality's and you should seek professional help when tackling jobs you don't feel comfortable doing.

A quote from our Division Commander, Daren Lewis.
"Be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates."