Posted on Sep 9, 2021
what regulation covers being forced to spend money ?
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so our new battalion sm is basically forcing us to spend money on getting certain things sewn on our gear and we face getting in trouble if we don't have it the way he does. i just want to know what regulation covers that, i've been searching but can't find one.
Posted in these groups: 
Army Regulations
Army Regulations
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 22
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SPC Harrison, here's a leadership counseling approach I see coming into the Cross Hairs
You are approaching this (from my perception) that the Army somehow is obligated to pay you to conduct yourself in a professional and responsible manner.
There is no regulation that says the army has to pay your laundry services, or detergent, or anything regarding uniform up keep. So by the logic you present you could come into work every day having never cleaned your uniform. The army also isn't providing you transportation services to get to and from work once you start living off post.
When I was a SPC I personally had to have my name sewn on my gortex jacked on the sleeve and same with elastic band on my ACH to have my name. These were both out of pocket. It never occurred to me to push back in regard to the costs.
It's usually around this time when I observe such a question by a SPC pushing back on a SM outside my office I close my door.
You are approaching this (from my perception) that the Army somehow is obligated to pay you to conduct yourself in a professional and responsible manner.
There is no regulation that says the army has to pay your laundry services, or detergent, or anything regarding uniform up keep. So by the logic you present you could come into work every day having never cleaned your uniform. The army also isn't providing you transportation services to get to and from work once you start living off post.
When I was a SPC I personally had to have my name sewn on my gortex jacked on the sleeve and same with elastic band on my ACH to have my name. These were both out of pocket. It never occurred to me to push back in regard to the costs.
It's usually around this time when I observe such a question by a SPC pushing back on a SM outside my office I close my door.
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No one is requiring you to spend YOUR money on uniform items. They are asking you to use your annual clothing allowance. Which is appropriate.
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MSG Thomas Currie
SFC Michael Hasbun - -- Sorry, but actually he is right about that one point. The clothing maintenance allowance is for the repair and replacement of uniforms due to normal wear. That is all it was ever intended to cover - which is why the amount is figured based on the clothing sales store price of each item divided by the supposed average life of that uniform item.
Sewing on REQUIRED items is supposed to be provided by the military -- but note that this only applies to required items on required uniforms. The military sews name tags on the uniforms they initially issue you, but not on any extra uniforms you buy. When those initial uniforms wear out, you do lose a few bucks having to get the name tags sewn on the replacements but I doubt that's what we're dealing with here.
Things have gotten a lot better since most patches are on velcro, but I wouldn't doubt that some units can still be problematic. At the same time, some soldiers who fancy themselves barracks lawyers can make a big deal pole vaulting over mouse turds.
This whole discussion would probably make a lot more sense if the original poster had the balls/brains to actually say what he was talking about rather than just vague whining.
Sewing on REQUIRED items is supposed to be provided by the military -- but note that this only applies to required items on required uniforms. The military sews name tags on the uniforms they initially issue you, but not on any extra uniforms you buy. When those initial uniforms wear out, you do lose a few bucks having to get the name tags sewn on the replacements but I doubt that's what we're dealing with here.
Things have gotten a lot better since most patches are on velcro, but I wouldn't doubt that some units can still be problematic. At the same time, some soldiers who fancy themselves barracks lawyers can make a big deal pole vaulting over mouse turds.
This whole discussion would probably make a lot more sense if the original poster had the balls/brains to actually say what he was talking about rather than just vague whining.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
MSG Thomas Currie - I think I might know what you're thinking of.
Now, when you buy a uniform at Clothing Sales, there is a form that you can fill out to have rank and service stripes sew on on those (though you have to buy them, they provide the alteration, the insignia themselves aren't provided), but that doesn't apply to RFI/CIF items, which is the topic of the OP.
Now, when you buy a uniform at Clothing Sales, there is a form that you can fill out to have rank and service stripes sew on on those (though you have to buy them, they provide the alteration, the insignia themselves aren't provided), but that doesn't apply to RFI/CIF items, which is the topic of the OP.
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MSG Thomas Currie
SFC Michael Hasbun - I haven't bothered with the constantly changing uniforms lately. Which RFI/CIF items actually require sewn on insignia? My last active duty assignment was in a command that was absolutely OCD about following uniform regs. None of our organizational issue equipment required anything sewn on that didn't come that way.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MSG Thomas Currie - Not sure if there is an equivalent today, but wool fatigues were organizational equipment and required the same stuff sown on as cotton fatigues. I had to pay for that from my own funds when I joined the 6th ACR at Meade.
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You are not providing much in the way of specifics. So I won't offer an opinion.
But I will say this... That is one of the problems with the Army's approach to uniforms. You soldiers have more varieties of gee-gaws, doo-dads and hats than the ladies at the Kentucky Derby.
Marine's don't have near the problem. Although the disease is catching with badges.
But I will say this... That is one of the problems with the Army's approach to uniforms. You soldiers have more varieties of gee-gaws, doo-dads and hats than the ladies at the Kentucky Derby.
Marine's don't have near the problem. Although the disease is catching with badges.
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CSM Charles Hayden
Maj John Bell The disease is not catching with those covered RANGER Tabs. Colonel xxxx at Camp Pendleton bragged on his RANGER Tab as he lifted the cover over his breast pocket!
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Maj John Bell
CSM Charles Hayden - It is an unauthorized uniform modification. Colonel xxxx's SgtMaj should have called him on it.
Lions don't need to roar.
Lions don't need to roar.
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