We all get a clothing allowance once a year. With the new uniform changes, should we all be issued the first pair or two?

2015-11-09T14:35:01-05:00

Military Clothing

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 9 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-11-09T14:36:01-05:00

Absolutely. This ensures all personnel have a uniform without people procrastinating

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 9 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-11-09T14:46:07-05:00

Isn't this question asked every time the military changes uniforms? If my memory serves me correctly, when the Army changed from the grey PTs to the new running suit type of PTs, the only people that were issued them were new Soldiers. Everyone else was given a time frame in which they had to purchase the uniform and have it ready.

The same will hold true I feel for every uniform change. Let's keep in mind, the Army contracts out to "for-profit" companies to manufacturer this stuff. If the Army were to not charge the Service Members, one of two things would happen. Either the Army would take up a huge slice of it's budget to cloth everyone or two they would only seek manufacturers willing to donate all the raw materials, along with all the manufacturing and labor costs.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Nov 9 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-11-09T15:23:22-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Back in 1982 this was the big conversation also, when we were going from OD greens to BDUs. I never understood why anyone wouldn't be able to buy one pair of pants this month, one shirt next month, and so on, until you had a complete set.

Your clothing allowance is not, "Boom !! You now have money, now go, and buy uniforms." The money is paid forward, or paid back, to ensure that you are in some way compensated for the uniforms that you would have to buy sooner, or later, anyway. If you are being honest, (and you take care of your uniforms) you won't even use that clothing allowance for your uniforms every year. Everyone receives uniforms when they enter active duty. The Army pays you, and every other soldier, an annual clothing allowance. If they give every Soldier two new uniforms, on top of the clothing allowance that you receive......well, I'll just let you do the math. Or, would rather NOT receive the annual clothing allowance, let the Army issue you one uniform per year, one pair of boots every 2 to 3 years, and then spend your time, your Soldier's time, and mission time running to CIF?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 9 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-11-09T16:13:04-05:00

No - we cannot afford to issue everyone two uniforms AND continue to give clothing allowance....now for the "book answer".....The requirement to wear the new uniform typically takes into account the time you will need to make a purchase of a complete clothing bag (all authorized basic issue items), which is typically four years. Not so coincidentally, that is typically the wear out date of the current uniform (ACU/UCP style)...so, the wearout date matches the current requirement date and if the clothing allowances are actually used to purchase these required items, no problem and no extra expenses from enlisted Soldiers....our Officers on the other hand, DO NOT receive clothing allowance and expected to make the change to the new uniform without procrastination or complaining.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 9 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-11-09T16:33:50-05:00

All I know is we desperately need a larger clothing allowance. Between alterations, pressings, boots, sneakers, new uniforms, awards etc... I don't think it's too much of an exaggeration to say the average Soldier is probably spending close to $1200 a year on their uniforms (well, assuming a minimum level of maintenance)...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 5:23 PM

2015-11-09T17:23:10-05:00

I went and bought 1 new uniform with my clothing allowance. By the time I got all my badges, patches etc it was 130.00. Add in another 15-20 for sewing. Yes I'm stretching out the purchases for all over the next year..lol. Boots are really getting pricey. I have the Rocky's and they rock, but the price tag is there. But go to take care of the feet..lol