Slight thread drift....
About 20 years ago I remember dressing an MSG class (marine embassy security guards) at Q. About 40 of them got off the bus, each got a expense envelope of around 1200 bucks and went to shopping. They had to purchase 2 sport coats, a suit, slacks-the girls needed similar but added dresses, coats as well, etc etc. They had a list. Their instructors were there to help, the PX calls in the vendors to help size and fit them.
So we all helped the class-none of them probably over the age of 22, boys, girls, black white hispanic asian all races. All marines, you get yessir'ed to death doing these things.
A few marines stand out from that day. One, a young man about 19 or so. He was choosing out the sport coats he needed. I won't say his name but to this day I remember it. He was trying on stuff way too small for him, I came over and asked if he needed help; he said yes and I asked him what size suit coat did he wear. I'll never forget it-he said, "I don't know, my mom always bought them for me". Here's this kid, still with acne on his face, about to defend an embassy from threats foreign and domestic, and his mama buys his dress clothes. Talk about reality-I wanted to swell with pride for his service, yet I almost wanted to cry because he was so young.
Making a long story short, I got him sized up in two very snappy and reasonable priced sport coats, and showed him how to have it altered in the arm and side panel so he could carry a shoulder holster and it not be visible (some clothes don't leave enough cloth to alter, the line I carried did though). No other vendors offered that service apparently, so my suits and sport coats were pretty popular. The other vendors carried trendy (read-loud) colors and fabrics; I brought in products that looked like what their principals (the ones they guard) wore.
Sold an entire rack of sport coats, thank God I ordered heavy in size 40 (the guys were built like bodybuilders, muscular up top and 30 inch waists.) The coats had plenty of material to alter as well. The alteration shop on base probably had work for weeks doing the holster mods
Had a girl about 21 or so need some help with her dress as well. She and her friends/classmates all dressed much like they did in high school; this one knew she needed to dress more "adult" but honestly didn't know how. And she had the guts to ask too.
I got to walk her and 3 of her friends through female business dressing 101. They ended up with dresses, skirts, blouses,shoes and sport coats that would have made them look like they were at home in a corporate boardroom. Showed them jewlery to accessorize, makeup that was within regs but really looked nice, etc. Nothing that stood out, but showed good taste, style but not flashy and good bargains too (because what they didn't spend they got to keep).
Once we got through, I got a big hug, thank you and a smooch on the cheek from each of them. The girls each dressed and showed the instructors how they looked-all I heard was WOW outstanding! and you look great! And they DID look good. Pretty, professional looking, and deadly.......(women in MSG service have a tougher time than the guys. They have to look professional out of uniform but not look like they're there for a cocktail party). Everything I sold met approval with the instructors (they check every piece). These were young girls going in harms' way; that was a sobering thought.
Once it was all over and they were back on the bus, I got called over by the instructors. Thinking I did something wrong I went over. I spent a lot of time with their troops. I was thanked by each instructor who saw the time and care I took with their charges and was asked (told) I needed to be there for future classes. I got a challenge coin too.
The troops I helped are probably retired by now, but I won't forget them. Out of all the services I've dealt with, Marines have always been my favorite. And to hear of so many of them killed, for nothing, by a leader who couldn't give two sh*ts about their lives. Makes me livid. Absolutely livid.
