ASU and Class A's

My perception of an NCO with a sufficient amount of time in the military that does not have ASU's is one that does not care about his career.  To me he is not a leader because he only achieves the bare minimum by waiting for the wear out date.  He is not setting the right example to his subordinate that he is sponsoring to the board and furthermore I would be embarrassed to appear before a board and sponsor my soldier wearing Class A's and my soldier is wearing ASU's.  He could have some money issues, maybe but there are ways around it.  I would most likely rate this NCO unsatisfactory in his duty performance. 

Since it has been almost 8 years since they originally said we were going to this uniform there is absolutely no excuse for a leader to still be hanging onto the past. This is why you are given a clothing allowance not for a new X-Box 360.  

I don't think you can really. I personally judge, but professionally, it's no different than the PT test. A score of 180 is passing and you can't really knock someone for scoring a 181 because they've met the standard. Sadly with this, it's the same. Until the wearout date, you really can't say hey what a dirt bag.

I honestly don't think that Soldiers, regardless of rank or position, should be pressured into purchasing a new dress uniform just because it is "authorized" for wear. Furthermore, choosing to maintain the Class A uniform over ASUs has no bearing on a Leader's ability to lead. Leaders are charged with upholding standards as well as training and leading. As long as the Clsss A uniform is maintained IAW AR 670-1, then he/she is in fact setting the standard. For those that think having ASUs is a requirement for "adding to, but not taking away from", I believe those personnel should reread the regulation. By saying that those that do not have ASUs don't care about their careers is like saying that the published standards are not good enough.

I have to ask, why does everyone assume that, just because an NCO wears their class A uniform, that they do not own the ASU uniform? &nbsp;This seems to be the common response, and I actually find it a little disappointing. &nbsp;The uniform wear out date for the Class A is coming up fast, and some NCOs (especially senior NCOs) might want to respect the traditional uniform from when they joined the Army while they still can. &nbsp;I saw this same thing with the wear out of the BDU, where Soldiers were given a hard time for not wearing the ACU until the wear out date.<div><br></div><div>This came up in a discussion at my unit about SFCs and SSGs attending SLC and the STRONG recommendation for them to purchase the ASU for graduation if they haven't done so already. &nbsp;There were a wide range of arguments for this: it shows a lack of motivation; it reflects poorly on the unit; what kind of NCO doesn't want to lead from the front; they shouldn't be so lazy; it sets a bad example; etc. &nbsp;But what if that senior NCO who is setting a 'bad' example by justifying wearing the Class A uniform with the fact that we haven't hit the wear out date yet, simply because it is authorized and he/she doesn't have the time to have a full discussion about it. &nbsp;I know I personally spent a lot out of pocket to purchase the "nicer" and more expensive Class A uniform items. &nbsp;I also have had a set of Dress Blues since LONG before the ASU was ever talked about, and I converted them to ASU almost right away. &nbsp;What if I wanted to wear my Class A uniform to one last official function, simply for the ability to wear it one final time? &nbsp;Is that sending the wrong message? &nbsp;Am I then setting a bad example? &nbsp;I thought this military was based on traditions. &nbsp;I don't see this as any different than maintaining a tradition while it is still authorized. &nbsp;If it is authorized, why do we as leaders jump to conclusions and assume it is because someone is too cheap/lazy/unmotivated to purchase the ASU? &nbsp;Seeing someone in the Class A uniform does not mean they do not own the ASU and/or have not updated their DA photo to one with the ASU, so why jump to those conclusions, especially if we are not in that Soldier's chain of command or NCO support channel?</div><div><br></div><div>You ask if we should really be hearing the excuse about the wear out date, when I think the more appropriate response should be why do we criticize a Soldier for doing something that is 100% okay in the first place?</div>

Yes, by all rights that NCO can stick to the 'wear-out' date prescribed but on the other hand what does it say for a leader who plans on staying in to still have the Class A greens? When you go on recruiting duty you get issued a set of ASU's because you are the 1st representation of the army to the young kids out there. I believe that if you're a drill sergeant you issued a set too (Im not too sure however). If you want to set yourself apart from your peers and be an example then swallow your and shell out the 500 or so dollars and purchase them....you're going to have to do it at some point or another anyhow. Lastly, there should be no reason you shouldn't have ASU's when every soldier coming out of IET are issued them. It doesnt look good on you if your soldiers are on par and you are not.

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I guess I'm missing something here. I would not have a perception of the NCO for wearing a uniform that is still authorized. Personally, the purpose of the NCO being there is for sponsorship of the soldier being considered for promotion... that should be the focus of the board. As long as they are wearing the uniform correctly and it is serviceable I fail to see the issue here. I would submit that when we start taking time away from the ALARACT then we place undue burden on soldiers due to individual bias. Let the timeline weork.

With that said, I had my polyester greens in 86 (3rd year) and blues by 90 (just under my 7th)... However, I could afford it. I just wanted to look my best; however, many of my brothers that didn't were just as fine NCOs... The uniform didn't make the NCO.

I think the wear-out date is the wear-out date. It is authorized.
Now if the board published guidance that the uniform of the day was ASUs ONLY, that is a whole 'nother story.
If I had this happen, I'd hope that the Soldier was coached up on responding to the inevitable questions that will come. If he handles it adroitly, he'd be OK. If not, well... better luck next time, Hoss.