Border Patrol Uniforms

[work2live]

We keep hearing rumors that the Border Patrol will be getting BDU's this year. An FOS has stated during muster that he believes this to be the case. I have called VF Solutions and they confirm that they have heard this also, but cannot say if it will be available or if it is in fact a go or not. As of this date 12/12/2005 we still have no access to our accounts. Has anyone heard anything about this??

[satpak77]

when you are wearing BDU's at muster, then it is official

[thecrusher]

Word has it there are procurement issues. I'm sure that if push comes to shove, the fabrica down in Torreon can start cranking out the current-style factory seconds again.

[work2live]

Luckily I still have plenty of the older uniforms. The R&R ones that are the old green. Don't like the new ones, but if they decide to go to the BDU's that won't be too bad. I agree that I won't really believe it until I have them on in muster, but the delay in getting access to our accounts has a few of the agents getting their hopes up.

[satpak77]

I still have my R and R leather flight jacket

they still offer that?

going WAY back, I also have a green winter jacket, with the BP patch on the shoulder, a mid-weight jacket, similar to the US Army M1943 jacket. Issue of it stopped in early 90's

[JAMMERS]

Well, if they are made by the same company that has made the BDU's CBPO at the POE's are wearing, they are very poorly made. Very thin material and do not hold the color well. We already have our money for uniforms. Just about spent all mine already. :o

[merlin]

Well, if they are made by the same company that has made the BDU's CBPO at the POE's are wearing, they are very poorly made. Very thin material and do not hold the color well. We already have our money for uniforms. Just about spent all mine already. :o


As poorly made as CBP BDU's are, they're still better made than my class 3 and class 2 mexican crap. At least they're made in the USA, that's reason enough for me to wear them.

[Tripwire]

CBP should have gone with the Coast Guard spec BDU's in the CBP blue color. The CG went through some pretty extensive testing of their BDU's. In comparision CBP went to an Army Navy store and got cheap rip off BDU's. They do look nice tough.

[FedRich]

Most of the Coasties I talk to like the concept of BDUs (ODUs as they call them) but hate the quality and colorfastness of what is issued. You could line up the entire crew of a cutter or small boat station and see at least 15 different shades of blue, with different shades between trousers and blouses. The Coast Guard is actually testing another prototype BDU right now.

[Tripwire]

A CG buddy of mine has the same complaint regarding the colorfastness of them but otherwise loves them compared to the old work uniform.

[work2live]

Blue would stand out like a hooker in church out in the brush. The current uniform's color suits the environment Border Patrol Agents work in. That being said logic doesn't always win out. The current green or even tan would be great, but blue, yuck!

[Tripwire]

I wasn't advocating changing the color to blue; that makes no sense if you work outdoors in the desert or brush why wear a blue uniform?

I would think that a 100% cotton or nylon cotton ripstop uniform would serve the guys on the line well. Aren't your current uniforms poly and wool?

[thecrusher]

I wasn't advocating changing the color to blue; that makes no sense if you work outdoors in the desert or brush why wear a blue uniform?

I would think that a 100% cotton or nylon cotton ripstop uniform would serve the guys on the line well. Aren't your current uniforms poly and wool?

Don't sweat it. Many in the Patrol have developed a sensitivity to blue since the merger.

[Rasputin]

For what we do, the CBP BDU's are not too bad. Though they are awfully thin and at negative 15 the other night, I was very glad to be wearing my thermals on underneath of them. You can however notice the loss of color in the pants, especially when you put them on with a brand spanking new VF solutions, rough duty shirt. I guess you can tell how long someone has been on the job by what they call the uniform supplier. Uniform Solutions, R&R, Vf solutions.. Anyone have any others that are older?

[MacLeod]

I still have my R and R leather flight jacket they still offer that?

Several agents in my office that are former BP have them. I'd love to buy one from R&R. Does R&R have a website? I can't find it through Google.

Any BP guys want to help me get one....let me know.

[SPWINTELGUY]

It's not R&R anymore. They're now called VF Solutions.