Can you remove the chest pockets from your ASU?

2019-08-13T14:08:33-04:00

I had seen the chest pockets removed from the ACU top once before and wondered if that went against regulations. If anyone has insight I’d like to know.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 13 at 2019 2:22 PM

2019-08-13T14:22:37-04:00

Absolutely unauthorized.
AR 670-1
No item governed by this regulation will be altered in any way that changes the basic design, or the intended concept of fit, as described in Technical Manual (TM) 10–227 and Army Regulation (AR) 700–84, including plating, smoothing, or removing detailed features of metal items, or otherwise altering the color or appearance.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 13 at 2019 2:54 PM

2019-08-13T14:54:37-04:00

You cite the ASU in the tag line then switch to the ACU in the subject line.

-In the case of the ASU the answer is no, that would be an unauthorized alteration to the uniform. Look at DA Pam 670-1, para 13-14, c. The only alterations authorized are found in AR 700-84 and TM 10-227. They deal with sizing and fitting procedures and uniform composition and production standards.

-In the case of the ACU coat, the answer is still no as para 4-8, a. outlines the components as having tilted chest pockets with hook and loop closures. So the removal of the pockets would cause the jacket to not conform to the standard.

-The Army combat shirt which is discussed in para 4-7, m. did not have pockets on the chest but was for wear under body armor and only in the field environment. It had a light green chest and back with ACU patterned sleeves ,with pockets and Velcro on the sleeves.

- The maternity ACU jacket didn't have upper pockets on it as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2019 2:59 PM

2019-08-13T14:59:51-04:00

This was something we used to do back in the early days of OIF before the Army had combat shirts. You could get away with a lot of uniform violations then because as Soldiers we were modifying Cold War gear to meet the needs of a new battlefield. Everything was constantly being modified. In garrison, that would never fly, and now that we have gear like combat shirts that meet with pockets on the sleeves there is no need to modify uniforms.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2019 1:14 AM

2019-08-14T01:14:55-04:00

CSM,

With the recent release of ALARACT 027/2019, the IHWCU does not have chest pockets. However, nothing at the moment from an official source states that the chest pockets can be removed from the ACU.