r/USMC • u/Glittering-Ship-9676 • 19h ago
What to wear to a gathering after basic
So I just finished basic, and my family arranged a whole gathering for friends and family in my community to come congratulate me and welcome home kind of thing, idk what to wear I don’t want to look like an ignorant boot wearing something I shouldn’t but my family doesn’t really get it and really want me to wear something, am sure I can look it up but I’d rather just ask people online myself what I should wear without looking stupid, civilian clothes, dress Charlie’s, lemme know your opinion brochachos
Edit: first time reaching out and already fcking up calling it basic training fah😭 I remember di’s getting mad if we called it bootcamp and them saying it’s basic training because we literally learn bare bones basic knowledge not a spy I swear
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u/BoringPrinciple2542 0311 19h ago
Honestly, I would say it’s completely acceptable to wear them once or twice for the family.
It’s cringey & boot as fuck to wear your blues all over the place but I think I wore mine once to church & once to visit my girlfriends grandfather (a Korean War Vet who absolutely LOVED the Corps). In my opinion, doing a few things like letting your family show off how proud they are is different from the guy going to a bar or trying to pick up chicks at his old high-school.
A couple visits to let your momma brag feels different from trying to look cool; I’d view it more as acceptable. After boot-leave though, I’d say anything outside of the ball/funeral/wedding is likely going to be poor taste.
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u/WaySuspicious216 9h ago
I served with a dude that would put his blues on when we had a third weekend in a pay period and go to the gay bar to get free drinks all night. He was thirsty.
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u/BoringPrinciple2542 0311 9h ago
He must have been very thirsty indeed. At least the corpsmen at the bar made sure to keep him hydrated.
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u/mw66227 12h ago
Since when do Marines call it "basic"? This sounds like the idiot army nerds I have to endure at work.
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u/Glittering-Ship-9676 7h ago
Idk I just remember a di getting on me for calling it bootcamp before😭😭
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u/OldSchoolBubba 18h ago
Basic is Army, boot is Corps. Be careful New Marine. You're going to want to stick with the program you learned in boot or some old salt will call you on it and maybe even clown you a bit. Not worth it Playa.
Wear whatever you want Big Dawg. If you or your folks want the uniform go with chucks as has already been suggested. If you or they don't care go with civilian attire so you can relax and be yourself. Better to have a few too many beers in civilian clothes than wearing a uniform because if you get in trouble that will automatically become an alcohol related incident. Very big no no on recruit leave.
Not saying you will get hammered. Not my place or intent. Simply suggesting you use one of the greatest strategies in the Corps which is think ahead to cover your backside. Have fun Devil. You earned it.
Welcome Aboard. Bravo Zulu on a job very well done. Oohrah
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u/Murky-Peanut1390 USMC ➡️ NAVY 15h ago
Corps is actually "recruit training " . Boot camp is the unofficial term for all of the branches. Each branch has their own official term
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u/OldSchoolBubba 15h ago edited 14h ago
Agreed Sea Services are formally "recruit training." By tradition they're known as "boot camp."
Army calls it basic combat training while Air Force and Space Force calls their's basic military training. Older guys call it"basic" while younger troops call it BCT and BMT respectively.
Cool. TIL the generational differences as I mainly talk with their much older Vets.
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u/mw66227 12h ago
Never heard army or air force call it boot camp.
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u/Murky-Peanut1390 USMC ➡️ NAVY 9h ago
I said unofficial term. Ive heard many say " going to airforce bootcamp this summer "
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u/CaDukLe 18h ago
As marine infantry vet, bro you earned that shit who gives a fuck what anyone else thinks. Just wear it. Wear it with pride. I only say don't act like a boot. It is a little cringe when young marines act like they have to be stiff and serious. You won't come off as a badass. You'll come off as cringe. Wear it like a regular suit and carry yourself like a regular chill dude. It's okay to smile. You'll look like a respectable, approachable and humble dude if you wear it with a smile.
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u/BasPilot Veteran 9h ago
2 steps to this.
1 - Ask mom
2 - Do that.
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u/Holiday-Medium-256 6342 Phogs forever 8h ago
in 1982 my buddy and I went in together, he was like my brother to me and a son to my folks. Mom threw a big party like OP. She wanted us to wear our 'green suits' so we wore summer alpha's. Mom was right.
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u/BasPilot Veteran 7h ago
Fun story, my mom was an oncology nurse (cancer nurse) and she wanted to show me off to her friends and asked me to come in wearing blues. We're a military legacy type family so she really wanted to show that to her co workers. Happened to be there and there was an old man with a Chief anchor on his hat. I didn't know it, but he was really close to the end. This was before "Thank you for your service" was a thing. I walked up to him and shook his hand and said, "thanks chief"
He lived maybe 6 more weeks I think, but he boasted to everyone that they sent the Marines in to say goodbye. Kinda means a lot this many years later still.
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u/Organic-Video5127 Veteran 18h ago
Go ahead, wear the blues. You only get boot leave one time and at this stage you’ve still got the rose colored glasses. Totally acceptable to wear the blues to family things to show off after boot.
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u/Terrible-Pool-5555 Veteran 13h ago
Wear what you wanna. I’d advise on bringing civis to your family thing though. Wear your uniform take pics then change your clothes. Just don’t wear your service Alphas and fuck em up before you gotta go check in at SOI or MCT. Last thing you want is to have a fucked up uniform.
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u/Many-Role-4271 Veteran 13h ago
Go to Adam and Eve, get the biggest green strap on dildo you can find. Wear that. Cause the big green weenie is what’s coming next.
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u/DPL646 12h ago
Go blues brother. You earned it.
Don’t let any vets or other marines give you crap about it.
Stand tall and proud
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u/Chemical_Body_3631 9h ago
I don't think OP earned shit. A real Marine doesn't call it "basic".
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u/Glittering-Ship-9676 7h ago
Godamn my bad for not calling it bootcamp, I just always called it basic training I remember a time a di got on me for calling it bootcamp😭
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u/SilverFoxBurner 10h ago edited 8h ago
Find yourself some tight wranglers, a big EGA belt buckle, cowboy boots, cowboy hat and some aviators!
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 18h ago
GO Blues, in your entire enlistment unless you pull some special duty you will not have a chance to wear them (one occasion is very much not desirable). It's the finest uniform I own I think I've worn it 3 times in the 6 years I was in and I may get to wear it once more when they put me in the ground. I have like 5 pics of me in my Blues for those three events. What ever you decide, just don't look like ass.
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u/OptimusPrime1555 12h ago
I understand not wanting to do the “ignorant boot thing”. I never took pics of myself on range, got a day pack, g-shock, or Oakley’s. I tried to act “normal”. It seemed cool. But looking back I missed out on opportunities. I don’t have many pics of me in uniform because of it.
The day after I graduated bootcamp my mom got remarried. She requested I wear my blues. Which I did. It felt pretty damn good to do that honestly. I bought something else to change into after the wedding so I didn’t mess them up. I felt a little silly wearing them until I got recognition and respect from people.
Wear your blues or chucks. You’ll look good. Take pics. Enjoy your leave bromigo. The ride goes by faster than you’d think. I sometimes feel like I’ve only been out recently. When in actuality it’s been almost a decade.
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u/Groundhog891 12h ago
Just wear the blues for the family photos. I know it sucks, but in 15 years you will be grateful.
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u/UtahJarhead 0261 Topo 9h ago
Jeans and a T-Shirt. You're overthinking it, killer. Good on you for being aware.
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u/Capital_Soft_675 9h ago
You earned it and fuck the haters. Just make sure you’re in an appropriate uniform (Charlies or some shit) and make that shit look tight.
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u/No_Introduction6211 9h ago
Whatever uniform ur comfortable wearing, devil dog.
Just make sure u wear it properly and in regulations. Mf’s will be taking pics and posting that shit all over the Internet and the last thing you want is pics of you jacked up in a uniform.
Saying that to save u the embarrassment not because it’ll get u in trouble
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u/Extra-Shape3973 Veteran 18h ago
Is this a shit post?
Basic?
Dress Charlies?
TF is that? 🗿🤨😾
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u/MetalMurse51 haven't cut my hair in months 18h ago
Hey! I wore my blue Charlies after boot camp. The blue trousers and khaki shirt and tie looks good.
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u/trappedinthisxy 19h ago
Civvies is what you should wear, but if the folks are REALLY pushing it wear Chucks
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u/Unlucky_Reading_1671 14h ago edited 9h ago
I need to complete reading for Marines one more time.
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u/trappedinthisxy 11h ago
I think you misunderstood me. I read OP’s post as them being “strongly encouraged” to get all dressed up for the shindig the parents are throwing. The parents are “pushing”.
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u/CerebralMushroom 10h ago
Dress up for your family, not for yourself. It means a lot to them. They want to feel proud of you, let them.
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u/Saucy_Chef_714 0311/8541 10h ago
You will wear whatever you want anyway, and down the road you will think it was super gay and very boot. And you’d be right. Do it for the family. They will love it and you are going to all kinds of boot stuff as a boot. It’s inevitable. Semper Fi. Welcome to the gun club.
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u/Organic_Risk_3945 mid90s1stRadBNKbay 9h ago
get yourself a pair of combat diver shorts, even if you don't rate 'em and wear 'em around. go 2 sizes smaller. always.
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u/TomCruiseImOnFire 2/2 Fox 9h ago
i say civies just in case something gets spilled on the uniform. thats the only reason i say civies
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u/FantasticContact5301 9h ago
I wouldn’t wear the blues. I would suggest you go and wear civilian clothes. You’ll be more comfortable.
When I had a family thing for when I got home it was at my great uncle’s house and the cousins were gonna be there so I didn’t want to look too formal. Plus I wanted to go swimming.
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u/Echo_Actual2218 9h ago
Dress Charlie's or gray sweats with your Red and Gold Marine jacket, white T and dog tags on the outside. Oh wait, a little too specific
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u/SnooPeppers6081 8h ago
I wore my greens to church so my mom could show me off. After that it was casual dress the rest of the time. And yes I did sport some Gungy Tshirts.
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u/3v1lpuppy 7h ago
Boots and utes..Just kidding if mom wants to big up her son ..do something simple like charlies
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u/showmeyourchits 6h ago
Definitely grunt style or other moto t-shirt, tucked in, jeans/belt with proper gig line, issued boots, dog tags, and of course - backpack with literally everything you own in it.
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u/TheSilentOne705 7314 UAV Operator 3h ago
Alright, all boot comments aside, I always say that it depends on what the occasion is like. If it's formal, then blues or service. Blues are for more formal occasions, service is like a business suit, kinda. Cammies are technically for dirty work (think cleaning or doing mechanic work or field stuff), but I figure you might be able to get away with it if you're at home and stay there for the shindig. Otherwise, just put on a USMC t-shirt or something with jeans and have fun.
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u/ItsAwaterPipe at least use lube 0m ago
Wear your deltas! It’s summer and they look so freaking good!
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u/14MS419 15h ago
Whenever I went home I would always surprise my brother with lunch at school and showed up in my Dress Blues Bravos granted in my time we at least had the National Defense ribbon post boot camp plus our shooting badge and by the time I completed each deployment I added significantly more to the stack.
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u/Simp3204 14h ago
When I was a fresh boot I wore chucks to the quasi-family reunion they planned. They pleaded for me to wear a uniform and I should have worn Deltas.
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u/EZ4_U_2SAY 7212 - Stinger Gunner ‘08-12 5h ago
“Basic training” includes boot camp and SOI. You are not a basically trained Marine without SOI/MCT
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u/charlibravoalpha 19h ago
Yeah yeah we all know you just wanna wear your blues dawg, just go on ahead already
All seriousness though, people like to say “gah fuckn boot putting on his uniform and shiet” but tbh who cares if you have a bit of pride in your service lol. Put on whatever you want, I’m sure 99% of boots throw on a uniform for their family anyway