HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of the Company Grade Officers Council are collecting Airmen’s used battlefield uniforms to donate to the Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol now through Dec. 30.
According to organizers, all uniforms donated will help greatly reduce the financial stress on cadets as the local CAP units’ transition to ABUs from the previous variant of the Battle Dress Uniform.
“A lot of people are going to be cleaning out their closets with the Air Force moving to [operational camouflage pattern],” said Capt. Francis “Mickey” Condon, officer in charge of Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Acquisition Intelligence Branch and CGOC member heading the donations. “This is a way to collect and get them distributed to the cadets and help defer the cost of new uniforms.”
As the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the CAP cadet program develops youth into dynamic leaders through a curriculum focused on leadership, aerospace, fitness and service.
The CGOC is encouraging Airmen in the Hanscom community to donate ABU blouses, trousers, and covers that are in good, serviceable condition with name tapes and specialty badges removed, leaving the U.S. Air Force tape. The council also asks that no green or tan boots be donated as CAP cadets will continue to wear black boots.
Condon, a Cape Cod native and former CAP cadet, credits his military career and success to his time in the program and is hopeful the uniform drive will help lessen the financial burden for more than 275 Mass. cadets.
“These are kids trying to get their foot in the door and get familiar with military service,” he said. “I want to be able to give back as much as I can.”
The CGOC has established two main donation drop locations: The south entrance of Building 1521 or at the Fitness and Sports Center.
For organizations that have collected a large amount of uniforms, contact francis.condon.2@us.af.mil to arrange pickup.