Why does the Army uniform still have these giant cargo pockets? Who uses their cargo pockets, and for what reason?

MSG Darren Gaddy — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 21:43:41 -0500

So I was helping my wife get out the door this morning as usual since I’m retired and she’s still in boots/ (AD - LTC Gaddy). As I was pressing her uniform, I thought to myself, why does the Army uniform still have these giant cargo pockets, and who uses them? In my 26+ years, I never used them and kept them pressed down to look very neat and tidy. Other than basic trainees, who uses their cargo pockets, and for what reason? Is it about time for a real Army uniform update?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2023 10:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 22:27:05 -0500

I use my cargo pockets to place my cover in when I need to keep it on me and still be hands free. I've never liked tucking it in the small of my back. Tried that a few times. Not a fan.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 26 at 2023 10:56 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 22:56:43 -0500

The purpose of the cargo pockets was to break down multiple days of MREs in case you had to ditch gear. This is how it was done explained to me. Also the xtra socks.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 26 at 2023 11:03 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 23:03:07 -0500

I used my cargo pockets many a time while on mission. But, aside from the headgear, as mentioned by MSG Private RallyPoint Member or specific training environment requirements (canteen in cargo pocket for a few different schools), never EVER had anything in them suckers in garrison.

Edit: Due to dat fingers, I originally erroneously tagged LTC Jason Mackay re:hat in cargo pocket. Updated to properly attribute credit.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2023 11:27 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 23:27:01 -0500

Snacks and tobacco. Can't have a war without em'.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 26 at 2023 11:38 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 23:38:21 -0500

During my 3 deployments, those cargo pockets got used almost everyday. May not see it in garrison, but they do have a purpose.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2023 11:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 23:54:16 -0500

I have often used my cargo pockets.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 27 at 2023 5:40 AM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 05:40:31 -0500

It's called the ACU (Army Combat Uniform), not the AGU (Army Garrison Uniform). Personally, I carried my analog brain in my cargo pocket constantly when I was in garrison.

The cargo pockets (as well as the other pockets) serve a functional role to carry any number of items that a Soldier will need in the field or combat which needs to be readily accessible - MREs and other equipment (cargo pocket), extra magazines (lower leg pockets), etc.

I suppose the military could create yet another uniform - a "garrison combat" uniform that puts form over function and the current one that puts function over form.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 27 at 2023 10:50 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 22:50:15 -0500

Well as a life long Geunr, I always used them. In the field the right one held ma, protractor and a fine dry marker. The left held my next meal, if I was lucky and extra equipment.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Dec 31 at 2023 1:18 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 01:18:56 -0500

I was in a Long-range Surveillance Unit. We used our cargo pockets all the time in the woods. A Soldier can fit a main meal in one, and keep it from freezing. a mag can fit in it, as can a watch cap or gloves.
As an Infantryman and a Paratrooper, I used the cargo pocket or maps as a Jumpmaster, for gloves or headgear as a Grunt...
They are useful in the field but a pain in Garrison

Response by SPC Kyle Smith made Jan 17 at 2024 12:37 PM

SPC Kyle Smith — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:37:01 -0500

In Iraq I stuffed the cargo pockets full of extra magazines. Ain't catchin me running out of bullets.

Response by CW3 George Fitzgerald made Jan 17 at 2024 4:49 PM

CW3 George Fitzgerald — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:49:19 -0500

I'm guessing you never had to go across the pond. yes, useful when in deployment situations but I agree, we should go back to a class B uniform for garrison ie khakis or the like.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Jan 18 at 2024 8:10 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:10:21 -0500

MREs, magazines (the kind with bullets in them), note pad, work gloves, candy, cell phone, radio, hat, rag, Gatorade, towel, etc. It's a combat uniform.

Response by COL Thomas F. made Apr 2 at 2024 9:22 AM

COL Thomas F. — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:22:38 -0400

Like most troops, I threw my canteen in there as a private before we were issued our web belt. Now I use it to hold my little green notebook. Unfortunately its not as little as the pocket so it sticks out the top. I use to also carry some extra socks, MRE extras, extra magazines, paper. As long as it didn't jab into my leg while I was walking, it was fair game.

Response by SGT David Priode made Apr 3 at 2024 11:35 AM

SGT David Priode — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:35:59 -0400

As a grunt I used it to carry My soft headgear when wearing my kevlar, Mre, gloves, maps, mags, or anything I deemed that I might need quick access too while on a mission. Those large pockets are very handy. No new uniforms for garrison needed, an iron, elbow grease and some starch always got my bdu's to look good in garrison. The wasted money on new uniforms for garrison would be better spent on improvements on taking care of the soldiers in garrison or the field.

Response by SP5 Delphis Kaczowski made Apr 3 at 2024 5:39 PM

SP5 Delphis Kaczowski — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 17:39:05 -0400

The Army Medics used those pockets to carry atropine, needles, pills, band aids, etc. We were NON-combatants and didn't carry weapons because our Medical supply bags weighed up to 70 POUNDS. We could use any thing within reach to defend ourselves & our patients. The DRAFTED CONCIENSUS OBJECTORS in my tent threw rocks. The FEMALE "WACS" had to wear "HOSE" NYLONS" Stockings" in a combat zone. So you think cargo pants are stupid???????

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 3 at 2024 6:28 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 18:28:44 -0400

Headgear, notebook, cell phone, keys, wallet, gloves, I don't know, what goes in there?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2024 1:35 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:35:19 -0400

I put my child in there for being your kid to work day

Response by CWO4 Miles Weaver made Apr 7 at 2024 12:08 AM

CWO4 Miles Weaver — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 00:08:37 -0400

I am going to go out on a limb and guess that the original poster of this question spent his career in garrison and very little time in the field. Just an observation as others have adequately explained the "cargo" that often ends up in the cargo pockets.

Response by SFC William Linnell made Apr 7 at 2024 10:16 AM

SFC William Linnell — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:16:53 -0400

Unfortunately, it comes down to your chain of command at the Battalion level. In all the units I was stationed, it was a NO GO, sighting that it was against the military appearance. Same happened with the tops. I used my left top pocket for my notebook and of course the pen had its own pocket there as well.
In the field it was a little relaxed but CSM's still corrected you. When the 20 year war was going on, again relaxed as the CSM's were focused on the reflective belts being worn. I hated the pocket on the upper sleeves. So hard to access when wearing your gear.
The ACU's use of pockets design were a bit better. The velcro strips were....a bad choice. Bacon strips anyone??
In Afghanistan out on missions, I kept my patrol cap in my right cargo pocket since wearing the gear. On the different bases going into buildings, I stored it in the back of pants bill down, pulled top over it. Appearance is a must.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made May 6 at 2024 11:17 AM

1SG Brian Adams — Mon, 06 May 2024 11:17:25 -0400

Negative, keep cargo pockets on Battle Dress Uniforms, ACU's or whatever name they use these days... They are needed in combat scenarios and real deal combat. JMO...

Response by SFC Charles Rolling made May 13 at 2024 9:57 AM

SFC Charles Rolling — Mon, 13 May 2024 09:57:18 -0400

Field and Line Soldiers know.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2024 10:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:06:50 -0400

Having extra material made it HOT in Fort Stewart during the summer. So I had a seamstress make some modifications to a couple pairs of my ACUs. Other than that, I don't see a huge reason for such a change.

Response by SP5 George Butts made Jun 8 at 2024 7:30 PM

SP5 George Butts — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 19:30:17 -0400

The Vietnam "Jungle Fatigues" or whatever they were named had cargo pockets and they were used all the time when away from a fire base. When in the field one never knew when we would be resupplied so we carried everything possible just to survive let alone "Comfort" items. When space allowed the large pockets were a good place to accumulate items found alone the way just in case it was needed later.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jun 9 at 2024 9:01 AM

MSG Thomas Currie — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 09:01:56 -0400

MSG Darren Gaddy, did you really serve 26 years in the MPs without ever once actually going to the field? Or was all of your time in service prior to the Army having a field uniform with pockets?

Response by MSG Michael Broderick made Jun 9 at 2024 11:10 PM

MSG Michael Broderick — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 23:10:57 -0400

Well...in my Basic Training, my drills instructed us to fold our soft-caps (this is the BDU cap, not the now-used "patrol cap") in a particular manner, and it was stowed in our right cargo pocket. Our "Smart Book" was in the left pocket. When I was on duty (including 22 years of AD with the NYARNG), my PC always got folded and stowed in my right cargo pocket the rest of my 25 year career. I rarely used the left pocket, unless I was in the field.

Response by WO1(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2024 8:35 AM

WO1(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 08:35:17 -0400

I keep my PC and shades in my right cargo pocket. They both have come in handy though for random occasions. I wouldn’t want a new uniform. I’m okay with have three, APFU, ACU and AGSU.

Response by MSgt Allen Chandler made Jun 13 at 2024 7:23 PM

MSgt Allen Chandler — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:23:29 -0400

Just one person’s opinion. If the ACU (Army Combat Uniform), as well, pressed, you shouldn’t be wearing it. The Army and all the other services have a large selection of uniforms. If you’re an auto mechanic, a grunt going on a 20-mile march, A tank crew member, or any other job where you going to get sweaty, and dirty because that’s part of the job. That’s what the ACU is for. If your job is in an office, standing guard duty, or any of the other many important tasks that don’t require the dirt, the grind, the strategy sweaty part of the job then where one of the other uniforms. That was way it was back in the day and it made sense. There was a time when you couldn’t wear fatigues off base. Then sometime around the beginning of the Gulf War’s they decided everybody should wear ACU.
One of the funniest pictures I ever saw was that general walking along with Pres. Trump, everybody in suits and ties, except for him in his ACU. The ACU has a place but isn’t the uniform for every occasion. I’d like to see us go back to what I think of as common-sense uniform of the day/ job.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2024 2:13 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 14:13:22 -0400

I carried everything in my pockets. Extra pens, note pad, phone and sometimes the snack's would make it but make sure you bring enough for everyone.

Response by SPC Daniel Dresen made Jun 16 at 2024 12:17 PM

SPC Daniel Dresen — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 12:17:52 -0400

Snacks, smokes, wet wipes, water, transporting rip it's from the dfac to the barracks... who DOESN'T use them besides a person who never deployed. Those pockets are handy!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2024 9:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:33:35 -0400

When I was in even in peace time I used the BDU pockets. I was in when the change happen from OD green to BDU happened. And personally NO the military needs to keep the loser uniform with the large pockets. My legs and calves and shoulders and neck got tired of trying to get into pencil neck uniforms or civilian clothes. If this is how board u are to complain about pockets. What the freak is the military coming to. Ur retired even.
Military needs to be ready to go to war 24/7 and these pockets are better than a belt creating sores on ur waist and hips.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Jun 17 at 2024 4:06 PM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:06:07 -0400

Warning Sarcasm Intended: Cargo Pockets are functional both in garrison and field environments. The mentality that a uniform should always be pressed is detrimental to the utility of a uniform designed for functionality over appearance. In garrison an "Office Worker" may not have the requirement for function over appearance, but other MOS duties require the functionality. Maybe the solution is Class B for all Office Workers, and OCPs and Coveralls for the rest of the military work force.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2024 4:39 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:39:26 -0400

Frankly, it needs more pockets. Look at the uniforms from WWII-Vietnam and see how large those pockets were. Our current ones hold a patrol cap and your car keys…

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Jun 17 at 2024 8:01 PM

PO1 Don Uhrig — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 20:01:04 -0400

I would say apparently she's never been in combat in Iraq in the summertime and not needed to carry two or more extra liters of water. The pockets are there for a reason.

Response by SPC Gareth Mannion made Jun 17 at 2024 10:31 PM

SPC Gareth Mannion — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 22:31:37 -0400

so used my cargo pockets for a notebook and extra charge clips for the bottom of a mortar round . Being mechanized I never wore LBE so cargo pockets secured under nomex (spelling?) worked well.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Jun 19 at 2024 7:41 PM

SSG Gregg Mourizen — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:41:04 -0400

The cargo pockets are the most important and useful part of the uniform.
I'm not saying you've never truely been to the field, but there is no denying all the things you can stuff into them. I realy hated it, when they took away the hip pockets from the blouse. Perfect places for headgear, cell phone, note books, snacks. I've even seen IPADs. Yeah, I know, even cigarettes.

I know garrison life can be ruff. Micromanaging Uniform nazi's trying to tell you not to put stuff in them, but the real soldiers need and use them all the time. You know, like how you're not supporsed to put your hands in the hand warming pockets (AR-670-1) of your PT jacket for your hands, or the "only a black packpack can be on your shoulder" crowd.

Yeah, sometimes you might get yourself stuffed up like a chipmonk, so you have to be reasonable about your appearance. It really comes down to common sense.
Whether it's just your cap, or half your combat load, the pockets do come in handy.

Response by SGT Tom Carlson made Jun 20 at 2024 3:01 PM

SGT Tom Carlson — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:01:40 -0400

You use the cargo pockets to hold things you would put in pockets. I would think that would be rather obvious to a senior NCO.

Contrary to some senior NCOs likes I did not feel the need for everything to stay pressed al the time when you are doing actual work.

I would rather have one uniform than adding another set without the pockets.

In garrison Mine would be pressed down most of the time. When we were working or in the field they held things at times that did not necessitate a pack or LBE.

They held things that were used frequently that you did not want not always be fishing out of a pack.

They kept your hands free so you were able to show military courtesies.

Response by LTC David Merritt made Jun 27 at 2024 7:49 PM

LTC David Merritt — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:49:01 -0400

As a prior 10th Gp Brigade Surgeon who spent more time outside the wire than inside, my cargo pockets were always full. The left lower pant leg pocket ALWAYS had a tourniquet, non negotiable for all my soldiers. My right upper cargo pocket usually had a spare L of normal saline, and infusion set, and my left cargo pocket had the most important item of all....a 2lb bag of red twizzlers.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Jun 28 at 2024 9:54 AM

LTC John Wilson — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 09:54:49 -0400

I hate to ask, MSG Darren Gaddy, but how can a senior NCO with 26+ years in service NOT understand how indispensable the cargo pockets on the ACUs/OCPs/DCUs/BDUs truly are?

When I removed my hat, it went immediately in my right-hand cargo pocket. In garrison, I carried a notebook and writing utensil in my left cargo pocket. When mobile phones came out, I carried mine in the right-hand cargo pocket, to keep from sitting on it of bending it.

Did you ever go to the field? In the field, the cargo pockets only grow in importance. Left pocket - trash pocket... Litter discipline. Cargo pockets are great for toting pocket survival kit items, field kit, spare magazines, batteries, and MRE components. When passing through a field kitchen chow line, where else are you going to stow the dining utensils, milk cartons, fruit, pre-packaged desserts, etc.? There sure isn't enough room on that flimsy tray.

Even as a retiree and DoD employee, I prefer to wear trousers with functional cargo pockets.

Response by SPC Mitch Saret made Jul 18 at 2024 11:48 PM

SPC Mitch Saret — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 23:48:46 -0400

Just an aside from your question, but I had a SSG Gaddy as part of my Airborne cadre at jump school in early 1981. Any possible relation?

Response by MSG Darren Gaddy made Jul 20 at 2024 8:37 AM

MSG Darren Gaddy — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 08:37:59 -0400

Just to clarify, I probably have more deployments, field time, Hohenfels, Graf, 1ID, 2nd ID Korea, 3rd Id, 10th Mtn, 1 AD, Somalia, Honduras, Cuba, Iraq, etc., than most of you combined. A common theme here is that officers seem to use these pockets more in garrison than anyone else. It’s likely because senior NCOs keep a very tidy and crispy look in garrison and expect their subordinates to do the same. A lot of officers, mostly senior officers not so much. Maybe I should have asked if there should be a different type or field/deployment uniform? I understand the potential use of the pockets, but for a 1SG to be walking around with bulging pockets is unacceptable and frowned upon. No one is gonna tell a Col or LTC the he/she is walking around HQ looking like a Private in basic training. Since I was questioned as a senior NCO, I retorted with the truth.

Response by Col Dan Ketter made Aug 28 at 2024 10:10 PM

Col Dan Ketter — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 22:10:09 -0400

Why do they still have 3 covers??

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Aug 29 at 2024 1:11 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:11:47 -0400

I definitely used those cargo pockets. In Basic, we were required to carry a full canteen of water in the ammo pocket of our leg. I also carried a notebook and a pen in a shirt cargo pocket. It was also a good place to stow my cover when under regulations I was required to remove it. In combat situations, those cargo pockets can store additional ammo and some supplies. The uniform is about utility, not decoration.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Sep 14 at 2024 9:29 PM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 21:29:07 -0400

As a 70's -80's era Coastie, there were many times I wished I had pockets like that many times. Not for ammo or rations, but as an ET, I frequently was climbing down or jumping to small boats, wriggling my way up the inside of a mast with snag points every few feet, or scaling a tower, usually with multiple hand tools and a meter. It would have been far less awkward to be able to carry them in pockets instead of in a pouch on my belt.

From the pictures I have seen, it looks like the current work uniform is some form of ODU now, but when I started it was Seafarer Bell Bottoms and Chambray shirt. By the time I got out they had transitioned to a work uniform akin to a set of Dickies in Navy Blue.