Simply put your uniform is your resume. It will tell others in your organization a lot about you. For example, your ribbons tell others your level of training, commendations and length of service.

General

1.) Wash and iron your uniform to keep it looking new, clean and sharp. Take time to starch in your creases but take care not to burn the material or the starch as this will lead to a shine and patchy looking uniform. A good tip for ironing it to set your iron at about 3-4 (low setting for steam). Spray some heavy starch on your uniform and a light mist of water. Cover with a sheet of clean paper and iron. The paper will allow the heat to contact the materal but will keep the starch from heating too quickly, also any residue on the iron will transfer to the paper and not your uniform.

2.) Cut and/or burn off any frays. Those little strings that come from your seems are not cool! They should be removed as soon as possible when they are noticed. DO NOT PULL THE FRAYS!! This may cause a tear or loss of your seems. Instead cut the major length off using scissors then carefully burn the remaining fray off of your uniform.

3.) Use a hanger when not wearing your uniform. This should go with out saying but I get the feeling some of you won't take the hint. When you are not wearing your uniform place in neatly on a hanger and hang in in a closet (out of the sun is best because the sun will cause fading and reduce the lifetime of your uniform). Why spend all this time making your uniform look nice when you will throw it on your floor again when you get home?

4.) Keep you shoes polished and conditioned. Shoes and Boots can be very expensive, but can last a very long time if taken care of properly. Shoe Trees should be used to maintain shape and remove moisture when not being worn. I recommend cedar or other wood material because they will removes odors and absorb moisture while hold the shoes form. Polishing washing and conditioning should be done on a regular basic with all of your leather shoes (DO NOT USE THESE TECHNIQUES ON CORAFRAM ("cheater") SHOES!!!). There a lot of different shoe polishing kits and chemical out there and I've tried almost all of them.
These are the techniques I find work the best. First a list of items
     - Saddle Soap (this works well to clean and condition leather)
     - 2 to 3 old tooth brushes (nothing I have found works better for getting your shoes clean)
     - Parade gloss Black shoe polish (kiwi makes this, but you may use any company you like)
     - Edge Dressing (this will keep the soles of your shoes black. This product tends to be expensive and is very messy if spilled so be very careful and read the instructions regarding ventilation)
     - Shoe Lotion (another Kiwi Product this can give moisture and flexibility back to older shoes.)
     - paper towels, polishing brush, and a pair of nylon stockings (I'll explain)
If you do a good polishing job, only small touch-ups are needed for a long time. But every month or so you may need to really get in there and do some cleaning.
First take the laces out of your shoes/boots and any insoles and clean separately (air dry your laces to keep them from fading)
You will need to clean all of the old polish off of your shoes. Smear on some saddle soap with a clean towel. Use a tooth brush and small dish of water to build a lather and wipe with a clean cloth. continue this until all the polish is off your shoes, and they are well rinsed off all remaining soap.
Now, take the show lotion (optional) and rub into surface of shoe using a clean smooth cloth and large circular motions. You will encounter some resistance once the lotion starts going into the leather. Keep rubbing until you feel the resistance go away and you can pass the cloth smoothly over the surface. Allow to dry at least 12 hours for the best shine. Also keep you shoe trees inside while the drying is going on.
Once your leather is dry carefully take the edge dressing and go along the sole of your shoe being careful not to get any on the leather. Several thin coats are better than one thick coat so take your time. Also laying some news paper out to catch any drips is a very good idea. Allow edge dressing to dry several hours.
Now you are ready to polish. Apply a thin coat over the entire surface of your shoe as evenly as possible. Allow to dry a few minutes then buff with your polishing brush. repeat again. Your shoes should be looking very nice about now, but if you want that mirror shine take a nylon stocking and gently buff your shoes in a circular motion. Now take a paper towel and fold it until you have a good shape or and applicator and dip it in some water. Rub a medium coat of polish onto your damp paper towel and apply in small circular motions onto your shoe. keep rubbing until the polish transfers. Using a toothbrush or spray bottle mist some water onto the surface. Continue buffing with your paper towel in small circular motions until a mirror shine appears. Allow to dry and buff using the nylon stocking as needed.
You can use the nylon stocking to cover your shoes while transporting to prevent dust and scratches. And then to give a nice buffing when you plan to wear them.

5.) Lacing your shoes. Yes we care about that too! begin by making a bridge at the base of your shoe. Do this by inserting the laces in towards the center of your show. Then follow a right over left patern going out and up until you reach the top.

Air Force Style Service Dress (also white aviator shirt)

It is a privilege of CAP cadet and senior members to wear the Air Force Style Blue Uniform. When you wear your uniform it not only reflects you, but our squadron, CAP as an organization but also the UFAF and the united states!

Here are some general guidelines for keeping yourself sharp.

1.) Use backing to keep your ribbons and nametag strait on your uniform. No matter how much you starch your uniform it will not easily support the weight of your ribbons and tame tag. Here is a usefully idea. Get an empty cereal box or other light cardboard material and cut a backing for your pins. They should be slightly larger than your rack and nametag and should be blank on at least one side. Position your pins correctly on your uniform (refer to CAPM 39-1) then on the INSIDE of your uniform place the cardboard on the back side of you pins.

2.) Epaulette Keepers for Officers. These keep your epaulettes stiff and give that 'new' look to them.

3.) Wear the proper undergarments. We've all seen "Top Gun" and "A Few Good Men". I know you all like the way the white 't-shirt' looks under the short-sleeve open collar shirt. However, WE ARE NOT IN HOLLYWOOD. Civil Air Patrol Uniform Manual 39-1 clearly states that a V-Neck style under shirt will be worn under the AF-Blue shirt. Look it up if you don't believe me! Also wear black Socks!
Another wonderful undergarment for use with your shirt are shirt keepers. These attach to your shirt and to your socks. They keep your shirt looking tight and sharp. These are available and many honor guard on-line stores, CAP-mart, the hock shop, Kirtland AFB uniform exchange and many other places. I suggest the Single 4-point keepers over the "Y" style keepers but go with what you like, both work.

Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) (also blue utility uniform)

Another Privilege CAP member have is the wear of the Battle Dress Blue Uniform (BDU). When you wear your uniform it not only reflects you, but our squadron, CAP as an organization but also the UFAF and the united states!

Here are some general guidelines for keeping yourself sharp.

1.) If you plan to wear your uniform in damp/cold weather use a camping water proofing spray. Do this several days in advance of when you plan to next wear your uniform as it will take a few days to fully dry and the smell to go away. As the BDUs are made of cotton they are not water resistant and will not insulate your body once damp. This will keep your uniform dryer for a longer period of time and keep you from catching cold. Also you should plan to wear synthetic layer such as polypro under your uniform in cold weather as well as thick outer layers when you will be in areas where you will experience cold weather.

2.) Use backing to keep your cover stiff. No matter how much you starch your cover eventually become floppy. Here is a usefully idea. Get an empty cereal box or other light cardboard material and cut a backing for your cover. This may take a few tries but you'll get it. It should be slightly smaller than the inside of your cover top and should be blank on at least one side. To position your cover correctly use your middle and index finger to space the bottom inside of your cover from the bridge of your nose.(refer to CAPM 39-1). Another good material for this is medium weight embroidery plastic (backing) (available at arts and crafts stores).

5.) Wear the proper undergarments. CAPM 39-1 provides the option to wear either a black T-shirt or an OD-Green T-Shirt with your BDU Uniform. The purpose of a uniform is to make everything UNIFORM, therefore we will all wear the Black T-shirt when in BDUs. (exception is when wearing the Blue utility uniform, a White t-shirt will be worn) Your Tee should be new looking and fit your neck. If it start sagging or becomes overly faded buy a new one! Tips for keeping your black shirt new are to wash in cold water inside-out with a "Blacks" Detergent (woollite and cheer make some good ones) and dry in low heat. Also keep in in your drawer and out of the sun when not wearing.
Like in comment #2 Plan ahead for what you plan to do in your uniform. Long under wear are very useful, but you should still appear neat in your uniform

6.) Summer Time Roll up your sleeves. The best way to learn this is with practice. Just Remember Up-Up-Down. Start with an ironed sleeve and begin the folding by rolling your sleeve up until the cuff of your sleeve touches the shoulder seem. Even out the fold. Then, fold up again from the first fold about halfway up the arm. Finally Roll-down the upper portion of the sleeve over the two folds. Even out all the folds. You may secure this with safety pins, and you should iron the fold in place.

"Civies" (New members and members with out a uniform)

CAP does not require you to dress a certain way "off-duty". However every attempt should be made to carry yourself in a manner which reflects well upon you and CAP.
While at CAP activities but you do not have a uniform or "civies" have been declared as the UOD you should wear a pair of blue jeans with belt loops and a belt, a grey T-Shirt (plain or CAP PT) or grey sweater, black shoes or boots. Your clothes should be well fitting and respectable.