Can Officers get civilian clothing allowance if their mission requires it?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:41:36 -0400

I’m deployed currently in Iraq and my mission dictates civilian clothes. I’m in the reserves and was wondering if we get it? I can’t find the regulation that dictates it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 4:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:53:01 -0400

The Army bomb teams get stipends for civies to look for bombs in civies when wherever the President Goes...I wonder where they get their money? I guess you can't put it on your travel voucher??

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 4:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:55:07 -0400

I bet you can buy a mandress for the price of 3 bootleg Haji copy Dvds.... We used to get $6 a day for incidentals when in Iraq. You will get your money back that way.....

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 18 at 2018 5:09 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:09:04 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member You Would Think So. I Got One for My Tour in London.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 5:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:10:22 -0400

In my experience, the only time I've ever seen Officers get any form of a clothing 'stipend' was from OPFUND in SF circles.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 18 at 2018 5:10 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:10:32 -0400

I can't speak for Army, but USMC Embassy Guard get a "stipend/issue" due to their duties. GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad would know the particulars of that specific program.

However, I have been deployed to various parts of the world where we would occasionally have to purchase items on site. This is what travel cards are for. The question then becomes whether they are "reimbursable" because they are mission essential or necessary. Or whether you could have foreseen the need to bring your own attire in lieu of purchasing them in country.

Administratively, it would be a justification letter stating why and how much. However, if you are travelling there via commerical aircraft, the assumption might be that your per diem is covering "incidentals" like dry-cleaning, and laundry just like your clothing allowance (officer clothing stipend) covers your uniform wear & tear.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 18 at 2018 5:14 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:14:00 -0400

1LT Hamilton,

Your orders should state that Civilian Clothing Allowance is authorized. If it is something that changed during your deployment, have your orders amended.

When I was on orders for embassy duty in Cairo I had a line on my orders that stated: "Civilian Clothing Allowance is authorized per DOD Financial Management Regulation, Vol 7A, Chap 29, Table 29-7."

Use this regulation as a starting point.

Good luck.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 18 at 2018 5:15 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:15:46 -0400

Do you have a Finance Office nearby to inquire?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 5:19 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:19:42 -0400

Only if you have orders. Usually the CI guy know the process.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 5:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:32:20 -0400

I just spoke to an MI senior NCO and he said that enlisted were getting allowance so maybe just because you're an officer you won't get an allowance. He went to Iraq and he receive an allowance.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 5:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:32:27 -0400

I was told a resounding “no”. Even when it is a title 22 state department deployment and the requirement is wearing suits. Officers get no allowance. Consider it a “tradition” based on fact officers make more money.

Response by TSgt David L. made Mar 18 at 2018 6:01 PM

TSgt David L. — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 18:01:24 -0400

"Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R, Vol 7A, Chapter 29. Officer civilian clothing allowance is limited to those that are assigned to a permanent duty station at a location outside the United States."

No different than military uniforms. This was always a burr under the saddle of our EOD officers (of all services) because when we do USSS or DoS details we need to blend with the agents and the environment, and they had to pay for their own. Really expensive every four years for the POTUS election season since we were gone on VIPPs all the time.
Enlisted can get one of two types of pay depending on the reason/mission. We get an initial and then can submit for a stipend every 3 years (if I remember right).

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 7:32 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 19:32:53 -0400

Sir, do not know the instruction, but on my Deployment down South/Central America on a CA/HA task Force all members received a $500 dollar clothing expense. The mission required it, and we also received allowance for dry cleaning, and other expenses, as we had to have suits in some locations. This was put on orders, so if on orders you should get something. This did include Officers. Photo in Nicaragua 2008.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Mar 18 at 2018 7:37 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 19:37:07 -0400

Each service would have a contingency fund to cover requirements. Check with your Service/Command ... etc..

Response by CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. made Mar 18 at 2018 7:41 PM

CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 19:41:05 -0400

Yes!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 7:45 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 19:45:04 -0400

Your Service Uniform manual/order or a message may have details on who is authorized. http://militarypay.defense.gov/PAY/Allowances/clothing.aspx

Clothing Allowance

Military Pay and Benefits Website sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

Response by SGT Jody Trapp made Mar 18 at 2018 8:03 PM

SGT Jody Trapp — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 20:03:23 -0400

Sir good luck. We were told we would get reimbursed for having to buy civilian clothes for a mission and it never happened.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Mar 18 at 2018 8:19 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 20:19:01 -0400

1LT Ethan Hamilton, I would check the type of orders and attachment to what or which group you will be working with on a daily basis. If you will be Out on the economy then you have to that to fit in. Take to your current Finance Office or CO to re-check, then knock and ask your CPT to speak the LTC advice, a letter or phone call go a long ways.

As a training NCO, from 1 CAV, and HHB 1-5 FA, and others I have help both NCOs and Officers get best Information and advice from best people in their current unit.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Mar 18 at 2018 8:27 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 20:27:37 -0400

I'm sure you can get a "Who's Your Baghdaddy?" shirt at the PX for pretty cheap.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 10:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:04:07 -0400

If mission set dictates it and you can explain the BLUF, then I see no reason why it would not get approved.