Military store - 2025

"Military store"?

You mean like a military surplus store where you can buy uniforms and that sort of thing?

I had the same reaction. Military surplus!?!? You're kidding...

But I'll let others sort this out, as I can't help you at all...  However, never let it be said that TBZ doesn't have the brass to shove his noze into other people's business just because he doesn't know the answer to an inquiry...

If it turns out that there are no ways to satisfy your needs in some more direct manner, lemme make a suggestion based on my experience with getting some real military stuff a few years ago...

My suggestion is go to a military museum, preferably one based directly on a branch of the service, like infantry, navy, submarine service, air force, etc., rather than a history-themed museum like one dedicated to a battle or a particular campaign. Several years ago, I was in Qingdao, having been invited by the family for the wedding of a very beautiful Chinese teacher (but that's for another thread...). Qingdao has a big naval base, and also has a naval museum with some decommissioned ships and submarines on display. Before and after the wedding the family either escorted us personally or directed us to several interesting places or activities to see while we were in town.  But one I chose to visit on my own, with my poor wife in tow, was the naval museum.

To make this shorter and more relevant to your question, I'll cut to the chase. We had no appointment, and were just in line with others tourists, but when I made it known that although I had been in the infantry, my father had been in the navy, the old navy veterans acting as tour guides and exhibit attendants treated us like royalty. I was given, given, not sold, a number of real uniform items used in refreshing and restocking the displays with clean items when the display items get dirty.

For example I was given a sailor's uniform hat for an enlisted man in the PLA Navy. Not the the fatigue hat that American sailors are usually photographed in, but the kind of saucer shaped hat with the Naval logo over the brim, and the two little tabs or tails at the back that navies all over the world use. Think Donald Duck... In addition to the hat frame with the cover mounted on it, they gave me a couple of spare covers, just in case the original got dirty. They were extremely generous with their time as well, making sure we saw all that there was to see, and ensuring all our questions were answered. A very enjoyable and impressive visit.

So if the OP is looking to score some real military swag, I'd recommend some form of the same approach: visit a museum... Choose one based on the items you are interested in. Most museums will have souvenirs available, even if only for kids. But make your interest known. Demonstrate that you know your stuff, if, in fact, you do know your stuff. No national secrets, or gory war stories, mind you.  But show you're interested in what they're showing you.  Engage... Don't be passive... Ask questions... The worst that can happen is that you have a good time. The best is that they might have some odds and ends lying around that they might pass on to you, or they might introduce you to relevant souvenirs available in the museum or its souvenir shop that you may have missed or not known about. Museum visits are often on the itinerary, but see if you can turn them to your advantage in new ways. You just may be as lucky as I was...

Just some random good times that were had by all...

TBZ 

That is a fascinating recollection, TBZ, as always! 

abcdefg,

Thank you very much, I appreciate your kind remarks. But by commenting on my long forgotten adventure, you've given me an opportunity I never expected to have to thank you for so much that I and everyone else who reads your advice have gotten from you over the long years you've participated here. From cooking to personal interactions with all sorts of Chinese people we all hope to befriend, you are the go-to-guy for real personal experience in and about China.

TBZ 

Note: I've actually erased about 350 words of babbling text because it sounded too much like fan-boy fawning, but I've always wanted to thank you.

So... Thank you... very, very much...

Many thanks for those kind words, TBZ! You made my day!