Can Soldiers who own the OCP-Afghanistan uniform wear it at their own discretion during the transition period, without fear of reprisal?

2015-06-08T09:08:18-04:00

I was reviewing the newly published ALARACT for the wear transition from ACU to OCP. As you know it clearly states that commanders cannot force their soldiers to purchase uniforms. My question is, if Soldiers within units own the OCP-Afghanistan uniforms can they be worn at their own discretion, without fear of reprisal from the unit's chain of command? Granted, the Soldiers wearing the OCP pattern will stick out compared to the mass of Soldiers wearing the ACU pattern, the whole purpose is to begin transitioning to the new uniform?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 8 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-06-08T09:10:23-04:00

Once the approved date for wear begins, yes Soldiers may start wearing them.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 9:17 AM

2015-06-08T09:17:26-04:00

There will always be someone who wants everyone in the same uniform at the same time.

Response by SSG Skylur Britz made Jun 8 at 2015 9:19 AM

2015-06-08T09:19:35-04:00

Yes, as long as the uniform is in good condition.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 8 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-06-08T09:22:46-04:00

Your unit will issue, you will not wear until this happens.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 9:32 AM

2015-06-08T09:32:42-04:00

Depends on what version you have. If you have the issued Crye Precision or the Patagonia sets, don't even think about it. Same goes with the Army's knockoff version of the Crye pants. If you have the standard ACU style uniform in OCP (mostly the flame retardant version if it was issued for a deployment) then yes you can wear them....once your Chain of Caommand says it is OK to wear it as the uniform of the day which for most people will be weeks or months after the Army says you can.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 8 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-06-08T09:46:11-04:00

That trembling you just felt was a disturbance in the CSM "force" rumbling over the topic of soldier uniformity.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 8 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-06-08T09:47:29-04:00

Define, 'reprisal'? If your commander tell you to in a certain uniform, you needed to be in that uniform.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jun 8 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-06-08T10:02:39-04:00

I know with my command when we were transitioning to ACUs that you could not were them till a certain date even though they were authorized before that date. Not sure it was right, but I sure was not telling the CSM anything about it.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 8 at 2015 11:10 AM

2015-06-08T11:10:07-04:00

The message says that you are authorized to wear OCP. IF you have been issued it, not just a private purchase.
Commanders may give you the shifty look but the message is clear that you are authorized and you can not be forced to buy the new one either.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 11:11 AM

2015-06-08T11:11:34-04:00

Excerpt from the message sent out with the ALARACT:

1.) The Operational Camouflage Pattern will be available for purchase in
Military Clothing Sales Stores beginning in the summer of 2015.

Stores will receive the uniforms over a period of six months from July to
November 2015, and new Soldiers will receive Operational Camouflage Pattern
ACUs beginning in January 2016.

2.) Enlisted Soldiers should begin acquiring an inventory of ACU's with the
Operational Camouflage Pattern as they receive their annual clothing
allowance.

All active duty enlisted Soldiers receive an annual stipend for the purchase
of uniforms and accessories. I myself will wait until I am issued my
clothing allowance before purchasing a uniform with the Operational
Camouflage Pattern. I encourage you to do the same by budgeting for a new
uniform, belt, boots, and t-shirts as you receive your clothing allowance
over the next 2-3 years. The cost of the uniform in the Operational
Camouflage Pattern will be similar to the cost of the uniform in the
Universal Camouflage Pattern.

Uniforms and equipment in the Operational Camouflage Pattern will be
available for U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, and Senior
Reserve Officer Training Corps in Summer 2016.

3.) Soldiers are authorized to mix and match t-shirts, belts, and boots with
either the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the Operational
Camouflage Pattern during the transition period - expected to run through 1
October 2019.
To further ease the change, Soldiers who already have Flame Resistant ACUs
in the Operational Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern will be authorized to
wear them during the transition. ACUs in the Universal Camouflage Pattern
will be authorized for wear until 2019 as well.

During this transition period, several uniforms and variations will be
authorized in our formations. Presenting a professional appearance is very
important to us as Soldiers, but we will not inconvenience or burden you
during this calculated transition period. We will still be the most lethal
fighting force the world has even known even if our belts or t-shirts don't
match for the next few years.

4.) In addition to the camouflage pattern change, the Operational Camouflage
Pattern ACUs will incorporate minor design changes.
These improvements were a result of Soldier feedback. Changes include
redesigned shoulder sleeve pockets with a zipper opening, no trouser
drawstring, a button on the lower calf pocket, two pen pockets on the sleeve
instead of three, and the elimination of the elbow and knee patch hook and
loop (see attached Summary of Changes).

Response by CSM Stuart C. O'Black made Jun 8 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-06-08T11:46:53-04:00

Amended post to add a picture - we been here before.

Short answer YES you can wear it and I am not sure what you mean by reprisal? There is the catch to that statement. (AR 670-1) Senior commanders may prescribe the uniform for wear in formations. When not prescribed by the senior commander, unit commanders will prescribe the uniform for wear in formation. In other words Commanders may dictate a uniform if all have it for certain purposes and occasions. Now in your case if you are the only one in the company that has it because of a recent deployment than the Commander may tell you to wear the prescribed uniform of the day. That is NOT reprisal it’s using his authority to maintain uniformity. Although, that will be increasingly more difficult to do soon since the new uniform will be available in clothing sales come July.

Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the Operational Camouflage Pattern during the transition period is authorized. Starting next month (July), through Sept. 30, 2019, there will be three different uniforms authorized for wear for soldiers in garrison. Our Soldiers will return from deployment with the old OCP version. I will have no issues if they wear it. Although they don’t seem to hold up so well and fade quickly so we may go back to my first comments during certain occasions - if there is a Ceremony, COC etc... I have never seen so called reprisals for wearing an authorized uniform. Usually it’s when it starts looking like crap, in that case go buy the new one. Example FRACUs (Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform) looked different and sometimes I seen commands not allow them during curtain Ceremonies. Going to be a strange couple years.

I think if you are on the Army team you should wear the new Jersey/Uniform when it becomes available Remember though, the SMA said until his next clothing allowance not in a few years or when he has to. That means it could be in the next few months like myself. Sooner or later unless you are getting out you have to have it. So why are there the types of Soldier that put it off until they have to? Hope most COCs out there and old timers like myself adapt and don’t freak seeing three uniform in formation – guess I’ll know soon enough.
Hope this helped.

Edit

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jun 8 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-06-08T12:21:10-04:00

I want a set.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jun 8 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-06-08T13:07:50-04:00

Has anyone thought that there ought to be a return to something like "fatigues" (with all articles being "off the rack" and standard commercially produced articles (I'll give you that they could all have to be of a specified color [which might not be available at your neighbourhood Target/Sears/Wal*Mart]) but the cut and material would be identical to "civilian" articles of clothing) with "combat uniforms" being reserved for actual (or simulated) combat conditions?

I do know that that might work a hardship of the US Corps of Chairborne Rangers because they wouldn't all look like they had just stepped off the battlefield - but it most certainly would be cheaper and more efficient.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-06-08T14:52:43-04:00

Verify through chain of command whether it is approved or not. Better to be safe, than smoked!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-06-08T16:08:07-04:00

It will depend on if the CoC decides to follow SMA Dailey's intent on the transition plan: not impose a financial burden on anyone. He is setting the example by waiting to purchase the uniform when his clothing allowance is issued. That is pretty clear guidance to me!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-06-08T16:12:21-04:00

Are you asking if you should come to formation sticking out like a sore thumb? I believe you know the answer SPC. If tops not wearing it you probably should not be wearing it either.

Response by PFC Chris Hemingway made Jun 8 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-06-08T23:54:53-04:00

Honestly i was in when they began switching to acu I was still in bdus at the time however two weeks after I got to my first unit I saw soldiers out of ait fresher then me wherein get acus because that was what they were issued a month later I was in them too so I really don't see a problem

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 12:07 AM

2015-06-09T00:07:11-04:00

Has anyone actually read the ALARACT which says uniforms can be mixed. CDRs cannot force anyone to buy a uniform to make the formation look alike, a CDR who does that is no better than the MPs who handed out speeding tickets downrange.

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made Jun 10 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-06-10T10:56:08-04:00

If regs say you're authorized to wear it then there can be no formal reprisals. That's not saying that there can't be some type of "informal" reprisals. If you can afford the new ones go buy at least one so you have it on hand for those command ceremonies or events that require "dress right dress". Simple solution actually. Don't be that guy!

Response by CSM Stuart C. O'Black made Apr 7 at 2016 2:11 PM

2016-04-07T14:11:39-04:00

We have no issues at FTCKY/101st wearing the deployed OCP uniform with either the tan or Brown shirt and boots etc… Neither should any other educated NCO in the Army that is familiar with current policies and the SMA’s position on it. I personally kept wearing the deployed uniform with tan boots and shirt upon redeployment. HOWEVER, I also bought some of the new uniforms. My thoughts are if you are on the team you wear the team jersey. If the team gets a new jersey than so, do you. I would space the purchases out a few months/years if money is a factor. I WON"T however wear the tan with the new uniform even though some do and its authorized. I wear all coyote brown with the new uniform because I personnaly feel its more appropriate. CSM OB