Can CIF charge you for items for which you didn’t sign?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:19:24 -0400

Trying to do the right thing and turn in my ocie that I didn’t sign for. However here is the issue there was a shortage of items and I didn’t receive everything they said I did (even though they can show I signed for it). Can someone help me out or point me in the right direction?

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 21 at 2018 11:25 AM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:25:23 -0400

Unfortunately if they can show your signature there's not a whole lot you can do. If they're doin you dirty you can just sell the stuff they don't have a signature for to pay for the stuff they're screwing you on.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 11:31 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:31:53 -0400

Change to the question. I did not sign for the missing stuff typo

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 21 at 2018 12:18 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 12:18:18 -0400

If you signed for it, even in error you own it. You can plead your case during a Flipl but it doesn't sound good for the home team.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 21 at 2018 1:02 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 13:02:38 -0400

Your question and your paragraph is two different question! If it’s in your hand receipt and your signed it then you can be charged for it. It was your duty to check the equipment before signing! You can see if you can buy the equipment from a thrift shop or somewhere cheaper but you signed and responsible for it!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 21 at 2018 1:26 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 13:26:15 -0400

Speak to the CIF warehouse manager. Try to reach an agreement. If that fails inform them you will make an ICE complaint.

Response by SGT Jamarl Jones made Mar 21 at 2018 2:30 PM

SGT Jamarl Jones — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 14:30:41 -0400

They can and will charge you for stuff for which you didn't sign. Your signature is your verification that you own it. It kind of sucks, and I have heard of a lot of new soldiers getting screwed that way, because they are signing for stuff that they didn't know what it was. Case in point, understand what you are signing for and don't trust strangers when your $$$ is on the line.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 2:46 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 14:46:22 -0400

Well it depends on what item you say you didn’t sign for. But if it was a general issued item yes. They don’t need your signature. If you are ETSing They will charge you and then do an inquiry (FLIPL) to see if you get your money back. However it ends up just expect to get screwed. That’s the Army way. Good luck.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Mar 21 at 2018 4:16 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 16:16:56 -0400

If CIF or Supply has a signature that is "YOUR SIGNATURE" you are on the hook. There are two ways you can go about this, Get a copy of what they have you signed for then pack up everything you are legally signed for and see what you are missing. In my day we did some horse trading to make up losses or went to the pawn shop to "PURCHASE" used replacement gear. I have paid for hundreds of dollars of gear over the years and have also taken care of troops who were missing gear by supplying them with extra inspection gear we had on hand. I HIGHLY Recommend not turning in anything you are not signed ofr and never walk away with out a signed receipt. Uncle Sam lost MILLIONS in un accountable gears since 9/11 at the RFI sites. I know troops who have retired or ETS's that still have gear that they will never sell or throw away while they wait for a bill from Uncle Sam when a long lost signed receipt shows up.

PROVISO: DO NOT SELL GOVT EQUIPMENT PERIOD, that will bite you in the ass, trading excess to someone in your unit that has a spare is a little different.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Mar 21 at 2018 4:38 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 16:38:13 -0400

2nd hand stores are cheap and easy remediation it can be shitty as hell.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Mar 22 at 2018 10:52 AM

1SG Charles Hunter — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:52:27 -0400

You’ll have to cover the missing items you signed for, even if in error. I’ve been out for some time, but when I was a junior enlisted soldier in processing to a new duty station, CIF was a Chinese fire drill. Not all items on the clothing record are identified by their common description. The “field jacket,” for example, is “Coat, Men’s, cold weather” or some such. The supply clerk at CIF didn’t ask if certain clothing items had been issued, but filled in the blanks for what the basic clothing bag was supposed to have. No time to review the list, just “Sign here!” Always rushed with 30 or more troops in line behind you.
When troops deployed to Vietnam, they were required to turn in their field jackets at the depot. I have no idea what the Army did with them. Likewise, we were required to turn in our overcoats. Many of us had never been issued overcoats for our basic clothing bag, so we had to get overcoats issued so we could turn them in. I’m not sure what returning troops with follow on duty assignments did at the depot, but my brigade redeployed as a unit to Schofield Barracks. We were not issued field jackets there. That became an issue when I PCS’d to Fort Hood and went through CIF there.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 2:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 14:57:37 -0400

You can pull your clothing record off of AKO. Go to the tab that says my clothing print the record and see if you signed for the item. If you accidents signed for the item I’m afraid you own it

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 24 at 2018 5:35 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 05:35:40 -0400

If you signed for it and didn't get it then you are dead meat. If you didn't get it and didn't sign then you are safe. Guess it's a trip to the surplus store, or see if you can swap sometime extra for something needed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 7:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:39:14 -0400

Yes, or you can refuse and they do a flipl , submit sworn statement and any substantiating records to your supply sgt, but if youve signed then you should be tracking your records better, if you didnt sign, then may have a case...depends alot on history

Response by SGT Sean Harrell made Mar 25 at 2018 11:01 PM

SGT Sean Harrell — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 23:01:48 -0400

If they can’t show that you signed for it then they can NOT charge you for it. It’s in AR 735-5

Response by MSG William Bell made Mar 26 at 2018 2:22 PM

MSG William Bell — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 14:22:36 -0400

Response by SGT Howard Osborne made Apr 1 at 2018 6:47 PM

SGT Howard Osborne — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 18:47:59 -0400

Depending on it was a rfi item some items are issued to supply sections I m features supply sgt I had to use some of my excess ocie items to make up for shortage check with my surplus stores for the items see it they will trade also if you are etsing a FLIPL can hold you up but you can so the paperwork and get one done to cover the items do you have your issue document from did showing items not received that would be a huge help with,a flipl

Response by SSG Brian Wolf made Apr 9 at 2018 12:53 PM

SSG Brian Wolf — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 12:53:05 -0400

I will tell you the same thing I told everyone who ever said "I didn't get that!" You signed for it...so yes you did! If you didn't get it you're a fool for signing for it. The familiar refrain of "I signed for it but never got it!" Was ALWAYS sung by Soldiers in my unit who received their OCIE from my predecessor (I was the AGR Supply SGT)

Never sign for anything you do not receive. I'll say it again (and pay attention people) NEVER SIGN FOR ANYTHING YOU DO NOT RECEIVE!!! Dont accept a promise of "well I am out of it now but I'll get it for you next week...just sign the paperwork," Updating the paperwork is simple and fast. IF ITS NOT THERE DONT SIGN FOR IT!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 1:14 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:14:51 -0400

In God we trust, all others must sign.

Response by SSG Vincent Jauregui made May 23 at 2018 8:02 PM

SSG Vincent Jauregui — Wed, 23 May 2018 20:02:40 -0400

They need proof you signed for the ocie..tell them you need copy's of transaction..last resort take to jag

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 23 at 2018 8:42 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 23 May 2018 20:42:39 -0400

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member said:
"Can CIF charge you for items for which you didn’t sign?"
and
" I didn’t receive everything they said I did (even though they can show I signed for it)."
and
" Can someone help me out?"

Yes I can, pay the charge, take the learned lesson, move on, focus your energy on things you can effect or change on the way to your new duty station.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 10:32 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 May 2018 22:32:07 -0400

Reach in your pocket and pull out your wallet. Problem solved. That’s the only way. :(

Response by Maj John Bell made May 23 at 2018 11:07 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 23 May 2018 23:07:05 -0400

Your leadership failed you. Every new man went to supply with an experienced NCO, who knew better than to allow a man to sign for something he didn't receive. An great deal of gear that ends up at surplus stores is something that was signed for, but "not in inventory." It is then taken to the surplus store and sold for beer money.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 11:29 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 May 2018 23:29:05 -0400

Supply can easily get one in trouble. Rule of the road - never sign for anything you don't receive, and always keep a copy of your Equipment Custody Receipt. Otherwise it's your word against theirs. This applies to equipment, weapons, and anything being loaned to you for use.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 24 at 2018 12:59 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 24 May 2018 12:59:44 -0400

You signed for it, and it showed you had it, you own it brother, unless you changed that QTY column to "0". You will buy it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2018 3:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 15:11:40 -0400

you turned in the OCIE that you did not sign for. They can't Charge you for any missing components. that is illegal and next time just drop it off on your supply NCO, Just turn in what you sign for. As Supply for more than 25 years, I inform my soldier to always give me a copy of all equipment they sign for at CIF, and maintained on file, (always maintain a COPY). 10 days after Field training, any Field lost or Damage Statement, if not I can't help you. on 2009 2/3 my battalion have FLIPL for IOTV due to RFI, My company and 1 detachment platoon did not have that problem.... my soldier say I was a Pain in the ....

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jul 26 at 2018 5:00 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 17:00:15 -0400

Fi you signed for it then they can charge you for it. I working in supply!