Clothing :: Best Military Surplus

Navy Dress Uniform – An Outfit of Honor

by craigkent

July 29th, 2012

After doing an article on the Navy Working Uniform (NWU), we decided we should take a look at the Navy Dress Uniform. This clothing set may not look as cool as the new digital camouflage of the NWU, but it’s required for certain occasions by Navy soldiers.

Of all the military branches, it is the Navy that seems to have the largest number of uniforms for specific ranks and occasions. There are three categories of the Navy dress uniform: service, full, and dinner dress. This article is on the service uniform, the least formal of the three, worn by officers and chief petty officers. We’ll take a look at the Service Dress Blue Yankee Uniform (search “BCM020″ in the top right corner), offered by our friends at Uncle Sam’s.

This uniform is just one of the authorized versions of service uniforms worn by officers and chief petty officers. It is made up of a navy blue suit coat, trousers, dress shirt, tie, and hat.

The suit coat is usually made of wool and has six buttons for the men’s version and four buttons for the women’s. Ranks are determined either by gold stripes on the sleeves (for officers) or badges worn on the left breast (for chief petty officers).

The usual trousers worn are navy blue, and are accompanied by black shoes. However, the Yankee uniform uses white trousers with shoes from a white uniform.

The shirt worn under the jacket is a basic white dress shirt. The tie is pretty standard as well. Usually a combination cap is worn with the Navy dress uniform. However, the garrison cap is also allowed.

It’s tough to come by a Navy dress uniform similar to the ones that Navy officers and chief petty officers wear, but you can definitely get other Navy gear here.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Clothing
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What Military Surplus Do You Want for Christmas?

by craigkent

December 3rd, 2011

It’s that time of year, and meaning it’s time to decide what military surplus you want want for Christmas. We’ve got a whole list of stuff you can buy for your loved ones (or for yourself!) to show how much you care, and show support for our troops too. Let’s get started!

Military Uniform - This one never gets old. Military uniforms are not only stylish, they’re also a Christmas gift that will last for years to come! Any piece of a military uniform can be used for hunting, camping, hiking, or just everyday use. Amazon has some great deals, as well as a large selection of styles. The best part about getting them from Amazon is that you can buy separate pieces of the uniform. Check out their selection.

AR-15 – You may not think of this as a regular Christmas gift, but I know it’s first on the list for some of our men readers. To determine the exact AR-15 rifle you want this year, check out the AR-15 builder. It lets you customize your gun with all the extra gear to make it just right. Just make sure you’re on the “nice” list before you order this military surplus item.

Military Movie - One of the best Christmas gifts you can get for any year is a good military movie. There were plenty released in theaters to choose from this year, but we’ll mention a couple for you to consider.

We saw Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) lead his team into battle against an unknown enemy-invasion in Battle: Los Angeles. If you like action and appreciate the musical scoring of rising star composer Brian Tyler, then you’ll enjoy this sci-fi flick.

Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon) wowed us once again with unprecedented special effects in his final (alleged) chapter to the Transformers saga. Sam Witwicky teams up with the autonomous robotic organisms (Autobots) from Cybertron to do battle against the evil Decepticons in Dark of the Moon. This third episode in a span of four years does not disappoint hard-core Transformers fans, and gives the military’s involvement in the film makes us here at Best Military Surplus even more to like.

Perhaps the most military-minded movie of the year featured America’s greatest hero — The First Avenger. Chris Evans (Fantastic Four), stars as the unfortunate Steve Rogers who just wants to make a difference for his World War II-era country. When he gets the chance to be part of an experiment to combat the plans of the Nazis, Rogers rises to the occasion and becomes Captain America.

Better than of these gifts is the one you can give to all soldiers in our military — thank them. They sacrifice their lives to serve us and protect us so we can enjoy Christmas with family and friends, so don’t forget them this Christmas season.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Clothing, Guns
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Breath Just Fine With a Gas Mask

by craigkent

November 23rd, 2011

The origins of a gas mask go back to the first millennium AD, but it was really in the 20th century that the gas mask was fully developed.

The U.S. first began using the gas mask when a scientist made his own version after an alleged chlorine gas attack on British soldiers during World War I. The British also invented what was called the Hypo Helmet to protect its soldiers from chlorine attacks. It consisted of a cloth soaked in a chemical that would absorb the chlorine.

The gas mask became more sophisticated as years went on for use in World War II and the Cold War era. Soon, full clothing was required to protect soldiers from biological

The Sandman

weapons as the gasses used became more advanced (nerve gas, etc.) — these gasses would penetrate skin.

The gas mask as most people think of it — a half-mask — uses a filter to get rid of any harmful toxins its wearer may breathe in. This is the type of mask the superhero Sandman from the Justice Society of America uses to protect himself from the chemicals he uses against his enemies. Many chemical weapons are only harmful if they are exposed to the eyes or inhaled through the mouth or nose. With this design, the wearer must breathe air himself through the filter. A full-face gas mask that may be a part of a full suit will often blow filtered air directly into the mask — the wearer doesn’t need to suck the air through the mask. These are used for chemicals that can go through the skin.

Almost any gas mask available to civilians today is a half-faced gas mask. You can get one from Amazon at a pretty good price. My hope, though, is that we never have to use them on our home soil.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Clothing Accessories, Movie/TV Gear
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Oakley Boots Worn in Terminator Salvation

by craigkent

April 19th, 2011

Oakley may be best-known for its sunglasses, but recently Oakley boots have gained popularity. This attention drawn to Oakley boots was spurned with the release of the motion picture Terminator Salvation.

Oakley has been around longer than most people realize — it was founded in 1975. It began by making motocross handle grips, and later goggles, made from a unobtanium material. When exposed to moisture, this material becomes tacky. Later, Oakley began making other sports products, including clothing, backpacks, and most notably, sunglasses.

The Oakley boots that have become so popular recently are those worn by John Connor (played by Christian Bale) in the newest Terminator movie. The S.I. Assault boots were designed in cooperation with the military for the Elite Special Forces. Since Terminator Salvation takes place in 2018, it would be fitting that Connor would be wearing boots that are relatively futuristic. These Oakley boots are not only futuristic looking-military surplus, but they’re design features the most advanced materials and the latest boot technology.

The boots have a comfortable urethane sole that absorbs any shock. The moisture-wicking liner on the inside will keep your feet dry and are made with a microbial material to prevent athlete’s foot. The outer part of the boots are made with real leather, and the bottoms are made with a polymer that provides great traction. These boots can handle the toughest terrains that soldiers will face, such as deserts, jungles, marshes, and mountains.

These Oakley boots are available in oiled-leather black, like the pair worn by John Connor. But you can also get them in tan suede leather, like the ones that current soldiers wear. The boots are available in different ankle heights: six inches and eight inches.

The Oakley boots from Terminator Salvation will suit whatever needs you may have, whether you’re hiking, working, going to the grocery store, or taking down some T-600 Terminators. If these boots are good enough for John Connor, the hope for mankind in the future, then they’re good enough for the rest of us.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots
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Cool Military Sunglasses

by craigkent

April 4th, 2011

When you think of military sunglasses, the design that comes to mind is probably Aviator sunglasses. Although some soldiers do use Aviators, they don’t tend to be very practical for their uses. So now we look to some of the sunglasses that are more common on the battlefield.

There are several companies that make sunglasses used by the U.S. military. The most well-known of these companies is Oakley. Oakley’s SI (Standard Issue) line of sunglasses offer great protection for your eyes, as well as style. This line of sunglasses is made to certain specifications to provide maximum benefit to soldiers.

Another great pair of military sunglasses are SOS Eyewear’s Survival Optics. They’re made with DuraLite polycarbonate lenses, providing UV and infrared radiation protection. The frames are made with flexible and sturdy Grilamid TR90 material, making these military sunglasses tough to break. SOS Eyewear gives these sunglasses a lifetime guarantee. Currently, these sunglasses are used by the Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, the Coast Guard, and Marines special forces.

Smith Optics also makes a great pair of tactical sunglasses. The Elite Hudson model satisfies MIL-PRF-31013 military ballistic requirements and ANSI Z87.1 safety requirements for eywear. These military sunglasses are lightweight and, like the Betrays, provide UVC, UVB, and UVA protection.

You know that we’re big fans of Stargate at BMS, and even though you can’t get the exact pair of sunglasses that Richard Dean Anderson wears as Jack O’Neill in the Stargate series, we at least wanted to mention them because they’re so unique. One of the actual pair that Anderson wore during filming just sold at an auction for $2500!

And what would a discussion on military sunglasses be without including Aviators? We mentioned them already, but we’ll go into a little more detail here. These sunglasses were designed by Ray-Ban and went into production in 1936. They originally were designed for military pilots, but became available to the public eventually. The sunglasses are made with lenses at least twice as large as eye sockets and wire frames.

The style became popular in the 1960s, and even more so in the 1980s when celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise wore them. General Douglas MacArthur was also instrumental in spreading their fame when he arrived in the Philippines during WWII. Aviators can be purchased with several different lens and frame colors, and in a variety of sizes. Lens options include mirror gold, mirror silver, and gray, while frames can be gold, silver, or black. You can get the Aviator style you want by choosing from complete Aviator selection.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Clothing Accessories
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The Medic Bag – More Helpful Than You Think

by craigkent

January 18th, 2011

The only thing worse than getting injured on the battlefield is being attended to by a medic without his medic bag. The handy bag worn by medics has served our country well over the past century and has aided in saving many soldiers’ lives.

Blackhawk medical backpack

If you’re a male medic, you might be hesitant at using this military surplus item initially, as it looks curiously similar to a purse. But one battle without the medic bag will change your mind. Besides, if Jack Bauer uses a messenger bag, so can you. A medic does not always have the time to perform all the necessary tasks on a wounded soldier when bullets are flying, so he can carry around only so much gear. The medic bag allows him to carry around just what he needs to pacify any injury a soldier may have.

The medics bags used in World War I and II were pretty basic. They often were not very big and were worn like a sling around the medic’s shoulder. The replica medic bag pictured above features one large compartment with a flap that can be secured with leather straps.

The medic bag has come a long way since its World War I and II days. The bag is now made in a variety of designs which are more sophisticated than the older medic bags. Blackhawk has its Special Ops medical backpack which features several compartments to hold anything a medic might need. The pack even includes a place to hold a hydration system. But the best part of about this new medic bag is that it comes in digital camo.

The medic bag is not limited to the styles we mention here — there are lots of other styles and sizes around.

The vintage medic bag has become a real fashion statement in recent years. People use them to carry books, as purses, or even to carry random items while camping. The one thing that’s the same in all these cases is the users want to be like the heroes who save the lives of our soldiers fighting for our freedom. Don’t you too? Check out Amazon’s selection to get your favorite design.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Backpacks, Clothing Accessories
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Stay in Style With a Military Beret

by craigkent

January 11th, 2011

We’ve all seen a military beret, but why does the military wear it? The hat sure has a unique design, so it must serve some special purpose. There’s also a special forces group named after the hat (the Green Berets), so the hat has obviously a decent level of importance in the military.

The military beret has its roots in the 19th century among Spanish soldiers. This new headwear was issued because of its low cost and the limited care that it required. The US began using the military beret in 1961 with its special forces units. The Army special forces used green berets, and this distinguished them from other units. Thus, the Army special forces became known as the Green Berets. The Rangers also began using the military beret in the 1970s.

Currently, several non-special forces units are authorized to wear the military beret in the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. There are several different colors which have different meanings, including green, black, tan, maroon, and blue.

Military beret as part of the Army Service Uniform

As of 2001, the beret is the standard headgear as part of the Army Service Uniform. The green beret remains reserved for special forces units, while tan is specifically used for the Rangers. Maroon berets are used for airborne units, and black is used for all other Army personnel.

The beret is not authorized for use in the battlefield, however it was at one point. One of the reasons the military beret became a popular military surplus item was that it could be worn with headphones without getting the way of the wearer. This made it common among tank operators. Another benefit of the beret is that it can be easily rolled up and put in a soldier’s pocket or an epaulette (strap on the shoulder of a a soldier’s uniform). The military beret is usually made of wool.

The military beret is available to the general public in a variety of the colors used by the US military. This military beret from Amazon is a great price and it comes in maroon, black, navy blue, and green.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Hats
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Three Great Military Gifts for Christmas

by craigkent

December 16th, 2010

‘Tis the season at Best Military Surplus, so we’re taking a look at some great military gifts that are Christmas-themed.

Camo Santa Hat – The most popular character in all of fiction during this time of year is Santa Claus. What if Santa were a fan of military surplus? Well he is, of course! That’s why Mrs. Claus made him a camo Santa hat. It’s too bad no one ever sees Saint Nick so they could spot him wearing this cool hat. You can get this hat for yourself (or for that military surplus fan on your list) right here. It looks just like the original cherry red Santa hat, except that it’s made with camo material instead. One size fits most for this first item on our military gifts list.

Camo Stocking – The best way to make items into military gifts is to color them camo, and that’s what has been done here. Instead of having the same old stocking you’ve had for years, why not change it up a bit by getting this camo-colored stocking. It features the woodland camo pattern, and it’s made from nylon. It measures 19 inches long and 7 3/4 inches wide. When it comes to military gifts, this one should top the list for surplus-fanatics!

Military Christmas Ornaments – Nothing will show your support for our troops more this season than a military Christmas ornament. Amazon has an awesome selection of military ornaments. Some of the more popular ones include an armored personnel carrier, a soldier, and medallions featuring each respective military branch. When you have guests over for a Christmas party, they’ll know you’re thinking of our troops in combat.

There are lots of other military gifts out there we haven’t mentioned, but the three here are some of the most popular. They’re a great way to combine two great things: military surplus and Christmas. Be sure to celebrate the reason for the season this year by giving some of these military gifts to people on your list.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Clothing Accessories
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Make Your Own Military Costume for Halloween

by craigkent

October 18th, 2010

With Halloween coming up, it’s time get a costume ready, so why not dress up with a military costume? It’s one of the best costumes out there because you can wear the authentic items that real soldiers where.

The best part about a military costume is it’s completely customizable. You can get as much or as little as you want. But let us suggest a few base items to start with.

Camo shirt – There’s all kinds of different camo patterns out there, but one of the most recognizable is the Army Combat Uniform digital pattern. Soldier City has a great price on the shirt for the ACU. Check it out here.

Camo Pants – If you’re getting an ACU shirt, you’ll want the pants as well. Soldier City also has the pants to match the shirt in several sizes here.

Combat Boots – You’d think that authentic combat boots would be pretty expensive, but you can actually get some cheap at Amazon. These are the desert tan combat boots worn in the field, but you can also get the black, shined style.

Those three items should get you started, but after that, the possibilities are limitless. We’ll give you a few suggestions for some more accessories.

Tactical Vest – There’s lots of high-quality vests that are compatible with the MOLLE pack system out there that would work perfectly with the military costume, but those are usually pretty spendy. As an alternative, you can get a cheaper version that looks just as cool. Check out this one.

Helmet – And what would a military costume be without a military helmet? The best helmet to get would be a MICH-2000 helmet, along with a camo helmet cover.

There’s lots of other accessories and surplus you can get to add on to your military costume. Amazon is a great place to start, but Soldier City also has some unique military surplus as well.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots, Camouflage, Clothing
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Hide in Military Netting

by craigkent

August 10th, 2010

When the camouflage of a soldier’s uniform isn’t enough, a military netting is there to provide protection. Not the kind of protection that body armor gives a soldier, but the protection of stealth. Some missions require soldiers to hide from their enemies, and any military surplus that can make them tougher to see helps them.

Camouflage did not become very popular among military units until the beginning of the 20th century. Previous to this, soldiers’ uniforms were often brightly-colored. Camo was first used for soldiers’ uniforms, but then military netting and ghillie suits were developed to hide soldiers even better. Ghillie suits are basically netting covered with material that looks like actual twigs and foliage. They are designed to give soldiers even more stealth than military netting alone.

Camouflage is not necessarily designed to hide a soldier completely. Even today’s camo uniforms, such as the MCCUU MARPAT, do not completely hide a soldier in the thickness of a forest. The goal of camouflage is to hide the outline of a soldier’s body so he is not a clear target. It would be ridiculous to say that a camo-wearing soldier is invisible while standing next to a tree. As long as an enemy has difficulty pinpointing the outline of a soldier’s body, he will have difficulty taking a shot at him.

All that being said, military netting does give soldiers greater stealth than their uniforms alone. And ghillie suits can almost make soldiers seem invisible.

You can get military netting for your own camo purposes, such as hunting or paintball. Amazon.com has some great military netting made just like the netting soldiers use. You can get personal netting for yourself, or a tent-sized netting to fit several people in. The netting is made water-proof and mold-resistant, and is rustle-free to prevent making too much noise. Some netting even comes in the new digital camo patterns.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Camouflage, Tents
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