Posted on Mar 13, 2015
Should the Army issue an initial set of uniforms for the new APFU and Scorpion 2 ACU's?
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SSG (Join to see)
Isn't that the truth. I seem to be having more issues with the silliness these days. :)
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I think they should issue an initial set when something changes, To me the clothing allowance should be used for up keep and maintance.
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SFC (Join to see)
Totally understand everyone's feelings on this matter. I have been in for awhile and have had to buy a uniform every time it changed whether duty or IPFU.
Initial Entry Soldiers are issued uniforms because they have yet to receive a clothing allowance. Some will be unlucky and fall close and have to buy them in a year anyway. The Army spent a shit ton of money to design, test, produce the uniform, the cost to issue a couple sets to every Soldier would be astronomical.
I am not an idiot and know that nobody actually goes out and buys new uniform articles the month they receive their clothing allowance and the Army knows that too. The wear out date for the old uniform is usually a couple years from the implementation of the new uniform. This gives Soldier a shit load of time to get the new uniform. When I was a young Soldier I use to buy uniform by pieces, a ACU top one month, a ACU trouser five months down the road, I would have a couple uniforms before the wear out date of the old uniform.
I know I sound like a politician and just a CSM spouting some Kool-Aid but, just think about the fiscal state of the Army. We barely have enough money to get a decent pay raise, train our Soldiers, buy equipment/weapons/ammo. It would take the Army's entire fiscal budget to issue new uniforms to everyone.
Make sense?
Totally understand everyone's feelings on this matter. I have been in for awhile and have had to buy a uniform every time it changed whether duty or IPFU.
Initial Entry Soldiers are issued uniforms because they have yet to receive a clothing allowance. Some will be unlucky and fall close and have to buy them in a year anyway. The Army spent a shit ton of money to design, test, produce the uniform, the cost to issue a couple sets to every Soldier would be astronomical.
I am not an idiot and know that nobody actually goes out and buys new uniform articles the month they receive their clothing allowance and the Army knows that too. The wear out date for the old uniform is usually a couple years from the implementation of the new uniform. This gives Soldier a shit load of time to get the new uniform. When I was a young Soldier I use to buy uniform by pieces, a ACU top one month, a ACU trouser five months down the road, I would have a couple uniforms before the wear out date of the old uniform.
I know I sound like a politician and just a CSM spouting some Kool-Aid but, just think about the fiscal state of the Army. We barely have enough money to get a decent pay raise, train our Soldiers, buy equipment/weapons/ammo. It would take the Army's entire fiscal budget to issue new uniforms to everyone.
Make sense?
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SFC (Join to see)
CSM Mike Oldsen , I agree with your position. The uniform allowance we receive is sufficient to pay for both uniforms over the course of the introductory to phase out periods.
As a caveat, would you be in favor of getting rid of the clothing allowance system (that is rarely used as it is supposed to be), for a system where soldiers DX uniforms as required? That way they get what they need when they need it, or would the administrative cost outweigh the benefit?
As a caveat, would you be in favor of getting rid of the clothing allowance system (that is rarely used as it is supposed to be), for a system where soldiers DX uniforms as required? That way they get what they need when they need it, or would the administrative cost outweigh the benefit?
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
CSM (Join to see) , this is why I am an advocate of the clothing sales side of the Military Star card. $500 interest free. When I last promoted, I bought all new ABUs, stripes for my blues/mess dress, plus the alteration, and it was under $500 and I was able to spread the payments out without interest.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
Perhaps if the army had to set each soldier up with a new uniform then they would think these things through a little better. I like the black and gold PT uniform but was it a life or death issue to change? The new black pants will not keep you warm in March at Hood much less Drum or Korea and you cannot wear the older warmer pants because of the logo. Sometimes I have to wonder are we using soldiers to fill someone's bank account?
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CSM (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see)
The DX idea may be a little better but I am sure it would still cost the Army a pretty penny. It would also cause more stress on leadership, for some reason Soldiers would rather have a raggedy ass piece of gear than take their ass down to CIF and DX it. Usually takes their NCO to put a boot in their ass to get them to do it.
I don't foresee the Army moving away from the clothing allowance. I have been in the Army almost 30 years, I have worn four PT uniforms (not including the new one), three duty uniforms, and three dress uniforms. Oh yeah and went from brown t-shirts and black boots to tan t-shirts and tan boots. You can probably expect something similar if you stick around long enough.
The DX idea may be a little better but I am sure it would still cost the Army a pretty penny. It would also cause more stress on leadership, for some reason Soldiers would rather have a raggedy ass piece of gear than take their ass down to CIF and DX it. Usually takes their NCO to put a boot in their ass to get them to do it.
I don't foresee the Army moving away from the clothing allowance. I have been in the Army almost 30 years, I have worn four PT uniforms (not including the new one), three duty uniforms, and three dress uniforms. Oh yeah and went from brown t-shirts and black boots to tan t-shirts and tan boots. You can probably expect something similar if you stick around long enough.
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