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Cadet & Uniform Store

The Uniform Store exists to make sure the faculty and cadets at Norwich University are outfitted in the regulation uniform of the Vermont State Militia.

The uniform fee covers the cost of the issued uniform components as well as the cost of sewing services to keep clothing well-fitting, in good repair, and up-to-date with ranks, awards, and other designations.

For incoming Corps please review the following: 

For Corps products and souvenirs visit the online Uniform Store.

 

Hours of Operation

Monday thru Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Summer only)

Contact Information

Kari Mossman
Manager Cadet Uniform Store
(802) 485-2506
kmossman@norwich.edu 

Marion Nelson
(802) 485-2508

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Itemized list of What is Issued, What is Sold as Supplements in the Cadet Store, and Directions for Proper Care of Your Issued Uniforms:

  • NPFU (Norwich Physical Fitness Uniform/ “PT” Gear)  [Class D Uniform]
    • In addition to the issued items below this uniform is worn with white or black crew socks and sneakers that the students must purchase on their own. The store sells white socks, but not sneakers.
    • 5 dry-release PT shirts
    • 4 pairs PT shorts
    • 1 pair lined wind pants
    • 1 soft shell windproof/water resistant jacket
    • 1 reflective belt
Washing Instructions for Gym Clothes:
  • Separate your gym clothes from the rest of your laundry to prevent odors from spreading.
  • Turn your gym clothes inside out before washing to allow for best cleaning.
  • Do not load the washer more than half full.
  • Use cold water and a gentle wash cycle to maintain the fabric's integrity.
  • Hang the gym clothes to air dry instead of using a dryer to prevent damage to logos and to avoid “baking in” odors.

*For best results, consider soaking your activewear in water for 15-30 minutes before washing.

 

Shower attire
  • In addition to the issued items listed below, students must provide their own white towel. The Uniform store sells white towels.
  • 1 bathrobe
  • 1 pair shower shoes
HYGENIENCE TIP:

Wash your sheets at least twice a month.  
Make sure to hang towels up to dry after each use. Wash them at least once a week.

  • ACU/ OCPs (Army Camouflage Uniform/ Operational Camouflage Pattern)  [Class C Uniform]
    • In addition to the issued items listed below, this uniform is worn with coyote brown tactical boots that the student must purchase. The Uniform store sells a choice of winter and summer boot styles and extra coyote brown socks.
    • 2 zip front (winter) blouses
    • 2 pairs pants
    • 3 coyote brown t-shirts
    • 1 coyote brown fleece hat
    • 1 coyote brown fleece jacket
    • 2 pairs coyote brown boot socks
    • 2 OCP Velcro ranks, 1 Norwich tape, and 2 name tapes – NORWICH ISSUED OCP RANKS AND NAME TAPES ARE NOT SEWN ON.
Washing Instructions for Army Combat Uniforms:
  • Before washing, remove all patches from the coat, and all items from the pockets. Close all hook-and-loop fasteners to prevent snagging.
  • If very dirty, soak first in cold water and rinse until the water runs clear.
  • Do not fill the washer more than half full.
  • Machine wash in cold water, using permanent press cycle, or hand wash using a mild detergent that does NOT contain optical brighteners.
  • Rinse completely. DO NOT WRING OR TWIST. Hang dry or machine dry on low to medium setting, between 140 –160 degrees Fahrenheit.

DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH. DO NOT DRY CLEAN, STARCH, or COMMERCIALLY HOT PRESS THIS UNIFORM.  Do not apply heat or iron to any hook or loop fastener areas.

 

Summer B’s Uniform
  • In addition to the issued items below, this uniform is worn with a white under shirt, black oxfords (“Corfams”) and black socks (or black pumps and nude colored nylons or tights if wearing the skirt). The Uniform Store sells black oxfords, black pumps, nylons/nude tights, and white undershirts.
  • 2 short sleeve white shirts
  • 2 pairs gray trousers – Students may get either a 3rd pair of trousers or a skirt when they are sophomores.
  • Black Shirt stays
  • 1 garrison cover with rank or regimental crest
  • 1 cadet jacket with liner
  • 1 white service cap with cap device
  • 2 sets of rank epaulets
  • 2 plastic name tags
  • One NU pin and one saber pin for shirt collar.
  • Super Summer B’s uniform days also allow for the wearing of ribbons, awards, and shoulder cords.  The Uniform Store sells these.
Washing Instructions for Summer B’s white shirts and White Trousers:
  1. Wash whites frequently to prevents stains from setting and to retain brightness for a longer time.
  2. Separate your white items from your dark items and wash them in separate loads.
  3. Pre-treat any stains by carefully working a little detergent into them, or better yet spot-cleaning them with a stain remover pen. This is especially important to prevent ring-around-the collar stains.
  4. Use a detergent specifically designed for whites that contain optical brighteners to enhance whiteness and fight stubborn stains. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER
  5. Use hot or warm water for effective cleaning.
  6. Load washer no more than 2/3 way full.
  7. Dry on medium to high and remove items from the dryer quickly to prevent wrinkles setting in.
  8. Iron to keep a crease down the middle of the trousers, and lines down the center of the shirt pockets and to break the back of the shirt into thirds.

 

  • Winter B’s uniform
    • In addition to the issued items listed below, this uniform is worn with black garrison boots. The store sells garrison boots and extra black boot socks. Cadets may wear a tie bar or tack.  These are sold in the uniform store.
    • 2 long sleeve black shirts
    • (gray trousers or skirt from Summer B’s uniform)
    • (garrison cover from Summer B’s uniform)
    • (shirt stays from the Summer B’s uniform)
    • (collar pins from the Summer B’s uniform)
    • (2 name tags)
    • Gray service cap
    • 3 pairs black boot socks
    • 1 pair black winter gloves
    • 1 trench coat
    • 1 black tie
    • Super Winter B’s uniform days also allow for the wearing of ribbons, awards, and shoulder cords.  These are sold in the Uniform Store.
Washing Instructions for Winter B’s Black shirts and Gray Trousers:
  • Turn your shirts and pants inside out.
  • Fill the washer only 2/3 of the way.
  • Use cold water and the Delicate or Gentle Cycle
  • DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENERS.
  • Dry on low to medium heat.
  • Iron to keep a crease down the middle of the trousers, and lines down the center of the shirt pockets and to break the back of the shirt into thirds.

 

  • Class A, Dress Blues Uniform
    • In addition to the items listed below, this uniform is worn with a white undershirt, black oxfords, and black socks. The Uniform Store sells these items.
    • 1 pair white trousers (white skirts are available for purchase by 3rd and 4th year female cadets)
    • 1 coatee
    • 1 set of White suspenders
    • 1 pair of White gloves
Note on Rank Change:

1st year cadets do not wear rank on their Class A coats. They can get their PVT rank sewn onto their coats over the summer to be ready at the beginning of their 2nd year.
All students are encouraged to bring their coatees and tunics to the Uniform Store in April to leave over the summer. The Store will update them to the cadet’s new UMR rank and inspect them for cleanliness and good repair.
All sewing orders need to give the seamstress at least one week to complete them.  Cadets who bring in things last minute for events that are on the Corps Calendar are not guaranteed completion in time.

  • Class A Dress Tunic
    • Tunics are worn either with the gray trousers that are issued for the B’s uniform or with the white trousers issued with the Dress Blues uniform. Wearing the white trousers with the gray tunic is referred to as “Salt and Peppers.”
    • 1 tunic
    • 2 sets of Screw on NU and sabers
NOTES ON CLASS A COATS:
  • Tunics and Coatees are DRY CLEAN ONLY!
  • They are the property of the University and are rented out to cadets. Each one has an inventory number sewn into it, and cadets are responsible for the coat that is checked out to them. 
  • Coats must be returns when cadets leave the Corps; they will be fined if a coat is not returned.
  • Keep them fastened at the neck and hung on sturdy hangers to avoid snagging braid and undo wrinkles.
  • Do not burn any loose threads or braid on them. All repairs must be done in the Uniform store.

 

Boot and Shoe Requirements:

Cadets are required to buy a pair of high gloss, black oxfords to wear with their Summer B and Class A dress uniforms. They also will need to purchase two pairs of coyote brown tactical boots to wear with their OCP (camo) uniforms, and one pair of black garrison boots to wear with their Winter B uniform. 

Image of Boot and Shoe Requirements

The uniform store carries styles of each of these shoes, and we encourage people in the area to come by to buy them from us. Cadets who cannot make it to campus before their enrollment stars should buy their shoes online. We carry tactical boots made by Rocky and Belleville Boots as well as Bates High Gloss Oxfords. As long as the shoes fit the following requirements though, any brand is acceptable:

  • Tactical boots must be laced up, no zippers; they must have an 8” boot shaft and be coyote brown.
  • Black oxfords must be high gloss, polishable, with a round plain toe, and no decorative stitching

Winter B boots must be this particular style: Danner TACHYON GTX 50122. These will be for sale in the uniform Store beginning in October 2024.

Socks and Accessories:

We issue five pairs of Darn Tough wool boot socks to all cadets; additionally, we carry extra shoelaces, shoe polish kits, waterproofing kits, anti-fungal powder in the Uniform Store.

Uniform Fees Explained

Uniform Store Location and Hours:

The Cadet Uniform Store (located in the Hayden Building on the south end of campus) issues six distinct uniforms that members of the Corps wear for each of their designated activities.  The store is open Monday through Friday 730 to 1600 whenever school is in session. During Vacations, the store hours are 1000 to 1400.

1st Year Uniform Fee:

All mandated uniform items are distributed during the first week of the Recruit phase of the Corps and the first week in October in the same semester.  The 1st year Uniform Fee covers the total cost of these items.  1st Year Uniform Fees will be refunded if a Recruit drops before Recognition and brings their uniform items to the store; however, once a cadet has been recognized, they are no longer eligible for any uniform refund.

After Rook Recognition, the only uniforms that need to be returned when a cadet leaves the Corps are the Coatee and Tunic. 

2nd Year Uniform Fee:

The 2nd year uniform fee covers the cost of all physical rank, rank change, laundering, hemming, mending, and dry-cleaning of uniforms to keep students in issued apparel that is up to date, in good repair, and well-fitting  This fee allows cadets at any time during their time in the Corps (including their Recruit Phase), to come to the store and exchange uniforms that no longer fit or have become too worn to meet the uniform standard the Corp upholds for something better. As long a cadet brings in a uniform to trade in, the store will give them something better to leave with.  (The only exceptions to this rule are for items we do not reissue due to hygiene concerns: socks, PT gear, shower attire, and OCP t-shirts. Cadets will need to purchase replacements of these items.) When cadets graduate, the store encourages them to donate their uniforms back to the Corps to keep the used inventory stocked.

Alteration, mending, and hemming services are included in the cadet Uniform Fees for all required sewing, but sewing on specialty unit patches does require payment if done in the store. Alterations of Class A or B uniforms (including hemming of skirts) by anyone except a Uniform store seamstress is prohibited. 

Sophomore Voucher:

The 2nd year fee also provides the students with a $200 voucher which can be used to purchase any items sold at the Uniform Store.  Cadets starting their 2nd year in the Corps have access to these funds. It is recommended cadets use their vouchers to purchase replacement boots, skirts and pumps,  or new sizes of PT gear, socks, or OCPs tops.  But the items purchased with the voucher are entirely up to discretion of the student. Upon graduation, any unused funds will be returned to the cadet’s student account.

Care and Maintenance of Uniforms:

The Uniform store sells hand sewing kits, laundry detergent, prewash sprays, ironing boards, irons, and spray starch to help students keep their Uniforms clean and in good repair. They also offer dry-cleaning services with about a week’s turnaround time.  Specific instructions for the care of each uniform are listed below.

Cadets need to pay attention to the Corps of Cadets Calendar and check to make sure their uniform fits and has proper rank at least a week in advance. The seamstresses have a one-week turnaround time in their order fulfillment and Cadets who bring in things last minute for sewing are not guaranteed completion in time for the event.