Curtis NJROTC Uniform Information

Uniforms are required to fit properly, be kept dry cleaned and well pressed, and worn according to regulations. See the NSI for alterations chits if your slacks or pants are too short. The following tips will help you maintain your uniforms.

A. Pressing:

Uniform items should be pressed with a clothes iron at a setting that is proper for the material. (Read the label). The Relax Fit Jackets (RFJ), shirts, skirts, and pants must be pressed with a press cloth (pillow case or a section of a small bed sheet works well) in order to avoid a permanent shine. A press cloth is a lint-free cloth that is placed between the garment and the iron. Brown paper, such as from a grocery sack can be used in place of the cloth if it is sprinkled lightly with water. (Do not use paper bags with print). There are no special creases required in NJROTC uniforms although the drill teams will normally have a military press in shirts used for competitions. Royal Cleaners will automatically military press our garments.

B. Washing:

In general, following the instructions on the label when washing uniform items. Khaki uniforms and white shirts can be washed with normal clothing of the same type. White shirts should be bleached with non-chlorine bleach such as Clorox II. Do not use Chlorine bleaches. Black uniform items, if washable at all, must be washed on gentle cycle or by hand in cool or cold water, and in mild detergent. These dark items may be dried on low heat and perm-press setting but should be removed before the end of the cycle. Press as above.

C. Dry Cleaning:

Any commercial dry cleaner may be used for NJROTC uniforms.

D. Special Uniform
Instructions: See the Bremerton SOP

D1.) Black Trousers / Skirts / Slacks:

Dry Clean Only as per Bremerton SOP.

D2.) Hat Covers:

The only reliable way of getting a dirty white hat clean is washing by hand in warm or hot water using laundry soap and bleach. Use a stiff brush on a heavy soiled covers. Spread out flat to dry and iron. Girl's white covers can be ironed more easily if placed over a full toilet tissue toll and fill out their shape.

D3.) RFJ:

Do not machine wash. Dry clean only.

D4.) Service Dress Coat:

(Dress coat with metal buttons) The item must be professionally dry cleaned. Remove clip buttons only, not sewed on buttons prior to dry cleaning. Proper spot cleaning and pressing will reduce the need to take it to the cleaners. This jacket WILL shrink if hand washed!

D5.) Shoes:

The black uniform shoes must be shined to a high gloss, using black paste wax. Do not use liquid shoe polish as it will eventually crack. Also do not use silicon products since they will remove the wax shine after first use. The polish normally comes in a small tin and is applied with a soft cloth such as an old clean T-shirt. A small amount of polish is applied to a damp cloth and rubbed into the leather and then rubbed lightly until it shines (cloth will become dry). This must be repeated many times on new shoes. When you are ready to apply the FINAL coat, add a couple of drops of denatured alcohol to the water. Then use the clean part of the cotton tee shirt or a non-deodorant tampon to apply the last coat. After the upper part of the shoe is polished, take an old tooth brush dipped lightly in wax shoe polish and go around the exposed part of the shoe sole to blacked it and get rid of dust in the indentations. Use of liquid shine is authorized on sole edges and welts.

D6.) Brass:

Only solid brass items such as the belt buckle should be polished. Do not polish NJROTC bars, rank insignia, or uniform buttons. Clean all other metal insignia with soap and water if necessary. The brass belt buckle must be polished when it becomes scratched or corroded. Brasso or similar product will work after and clear coating has been removed. Removing the coating from a new buckle can be accomplished by soaking in household ammonia for several hours. The coating should then peel off easily. Use gloves and adequate ventilation when using ammonia. Heavily scratched brass can be sanded down using 600 grit wet/dry followed by either 1000 or 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Then use Brasso to shine. DO NOT shine the belt buckle while wearing the belt or when the buckle is attached to the belt webbing. To do so will stain the cloth and turn it a pasty white.

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