SGT Private RallyPoint Member 53076 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How do you enforce the standard on Unit Pts. Sweat shirts, pants, t-shirts. While only the APFU is mandatory many units have alternate pt shirts and jackets. Should soldiers be forced to buy these or is that wrong? Should the unit pay for them through fundraiser, bake sale, etc.??&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Id also like to know if anyone&#39;s COC has this in MFR format or something official or if its just peer pressure.&lt;br&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt; 2014-02-07T08:58:08-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 53076

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How do you enforce the standard on Unit Pts. Sweat shirts, pants, t-shirts. While only the APFU is mandatory many units have alternate pt shirts and jackets. Should soldiers be forced to buy these or is that wrong? Should the unit pay for them through fundraiser, bake sale, etc.??&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Id also like to know if anyone&#39;s COC has this in MFR format or something official or if its just peer pressure.&lt;br&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

2014-02-07T08:58:08-05:00 2014-02-07T08:58:08-05:00 SGT Ben Keen 53108

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Soldiers are mandated to purchase uniforms all the time.  I don't see any issue with having them purchase a unit tshirt or something along those lines.

2014-02-07T09:46:54-05:00 2014-02-07T09:46:54-05:00 SPC Robert Patrick 53140

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>In my first unit i bought the unit shirt mainly because it look cool but also it was more comfortable than our current apfus.  They didnt make it mandatory but it was highly recommended</p><p> </p>

2014-02-07T11:03:19-05:00 2014-02-07T11:03:19-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 54021

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Well in a little over 3 yrs serving in the same unit I have personally purchased 4 unit shirts all of the proceeds going back into the unit's FRG funds for unit events such Dining out's. Do I think a soldier should be forced to purchase one or be chastised for not buying one I think not. On this issue I leave it to the individual soldier whether they want to or not. Even though I have hated most of them I still buy them out of unit pride and to support my local FRG. 

2014-02-08T21:37:42-05:00 2014-02-08T21:37:42-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 54039

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don't see this issue with buying unit/organization shirts for functions, but it has to be done with reasonable practicality. As one stated $150 to buy items wanted for something the Army the already provided us with is a bit absurd. However if you say a nominal price for a pt shirt worn on Fridays or a shirt worn for casual outings is a much different discussion. A unit should take this into account when making these decisions. If your unit is mainly lower enlisted than the cost should be as low as possible. Everyone knows when they buy in bulk they also get the better deal. My wife is the merchandise representative for her roller derby team and I assist with a lot of the orders. We pay about $4 for the average t-shirt. Her team also has hoodies and sweats that cost is less than $50 combined. They are not poor quality either. This makes it hard to believe that someone is not trying to turn the profit. If you want people to participate voluntarily, than items need to be offered within reason. I think the worst I have seen is when it comes around for counseling or ncoer time and people start questioning whether or not your a team player simply because you don't want to be ripped off.

2014-02-08T22:12:34-05:00 2014-02-08T22:12:34-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 54552

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My last duty station had a unit PT cap that was required to be worn in the winter months (we did not wear the Army issue fleece cap) and when the Soldier arrived to the unit the first cap was bought by the unit for the Soldier. Any replacements were purchased by the Soldier which follows along the guidance that the Army funds your initial issue and the Soldier uses the clothing allowance to replace worn/torn items. Of course I know this does not always work out, however I respected this unit a lot more for doing the right thing and not making the Soldier purchase a mandatory item.

2014-02-09T20:01:08-05:00 2014-02-09T20:01:08-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 340475

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This always bothered me. <br /><br />If the Army wants a Soldier to wear something, the Army should provide the item.<br /><br />It also always bothered me that leaders thought (think) that a unit t-shirt somehow magically improves unit cohesion and pride. I'd bet research would suggest very little linkage between unit cohesion and unique unit t-shirts.<br /><br />There's also the question of whether unit attire violates AR 670-1.

2014-11-24T13:27:11-05:00 2014-11-24T13:27:11-05:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 349234

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>At no time can a Soldier be forced to buy a unit shirt. They have to own the APFU, because it was issued to them at IET and they get a yearly clothing allowance. The other comments on here stating that IG can become a huge problem if it seems there is undue command influence to buy the shirts are spot on. Units that I have been apart of always priced the shirts as best as possible to make it something that was not hard for junior Soldiers to afford, and leaders would always take care of their Soldiers that were having financial issues.<br />Hope that helped.

2014-12-01T00:11:10-05:00 2014-12-01T00:11:10-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 2621301

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My last unit in the 82nd provided Newcomers with a Unit PT shirt from the Chaplain&#39;s Office. The CSM would do the safety brief after the Friday Bn Run, then do a Newcomer&#39;s Welcome in front of the formation, where they introduced themselves to the Bn, and we welcome them. He was actually trying to build cohesion and esprit de corps right from the start. However, it wasn&#39;t initially like this. <br /> under previous CSMs. There has been a lot of culture change pertaining to the influence that can be use to compel Soldiers to spend money on &quot;extras&quot;. <br /><br />On a side rant: I personally have significantly more respect for units that do right by the Soldiers in that regard, rather than continue on with the idea that forcing everyone to buy unit shirts magically raises esprit de corps and cohesion. Doing it in this manner accomplishes neither, it just makes it appear that way to those oblivious 3rd parties who&#39;ve never been in a unit where they were coerced to buy unit shirts (civilians). <br /><br />It should not be forgotten that, while every Soldier is proud to be in the Army, our units of assignment aren&#39;t always voluntary. With that understanding, esprit de corps and cohesion aren&#39;t automatic upon arrival, and should be built by means other than &quot;fun runs&quot; in unit PT shirts; of which I can assure you, very few in the ranks think are fun, and I would argue accomplishes the opposite of esprit de corps. Just my opinion though.<br />/rant

2017-06-03T21:35:04-04:00 2017-06-03T21:35:04-04:00 2014-02-07T08:58:08-05:00