Posted on Feb 28, 2015
Can Soldiers be mandated to buy the new Physical Fitness Uniform now?
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The 1SG has mandated that all Soldiers within the Unit will buy the new uniform by May 1st.
Let me say that I do not personally mind buying it but can we mandate and give them a short suspense when the ARMY has already determined a wear out date?
I understand the you can always improve upon but not take away from but when it comes to expenses does this apply?
D. (U) THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR THE IPFU IS 30 SEP 17. THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE APFU IS 1 OCT 17 (1QFY18).
ALARACT 209/2014
CSM Oldsen
Let me say that I do not personally mind buying it but can we mandate and give them a short suspense when the ARMY has already determined a wear out date?
I understand the you can always improve upon but not take away from but when it comes to expenses does this apply?
D. (U) THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR THE IPFU IS 30 SEP 17. THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE APFU IS 1 OCT 17 (1QFY18).
ALARACT 209/2014
CSM Oldsen
Uniforms
Fitness
Leadership
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 40
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No a None-Commisioned Officer cannot make such mandate neither their company commander the Army has an official wear out date and that is the standard unless the Army dictates otherwise.
Telling Soldiers to go purchase the new APFU as a mandatory task is not the right thing to do one must take in consideration the economical burden such purchase can cause to the junior Soldiers. If a Soldiers has and authorized uniform that's servicesable there is no need to make them purchase the new uniform. I would encourage Soldier to buy a few items every quarter and upon receiving their anual clothing allowance so when 2017 gets here the SM is ready and did not have to go in debt to purchase PT gear at the last minute, it's called being proactive vs reactive.
Telling Soldiers to go purchase the new APFU as a mandatory task is not the right thing to do one must take in consideration the economical burden such purchase can cause to the junior Soldiers. If a Soldiers has and authorized uniform that's servicesable there is no need to make them purchase the new uniform. I would encourage Soldier to buy a few items every quarter and upon receiving their anual clothing allowance so when 2017 gets here the SM is ready and did not have to go in debt to purchase PT gear at the last minute, it's called being proactive vs reactive.
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SSG (Join to see)
That is my current guidance for Soldiers. go ensure the sizing and purchase what you can so it is not a big expense all at once.
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Absolutely not. On the other hand the 1SG can require uniformity, but that would imply that everyone where the IPFU not the new APFU. The wear out date is black and white.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
The trick there is "when" new joins are issued the new gear. Sooner or later there will be crossover. If not now, then later.
Requiring uniformity doesn't change the actual reg. The 1SG has to adjust around the reg not circumvent it, with a "uniformity excuse."
Requiring uniformity doesn't change the actual reg. The 1SG has to adjust around the reg not circumvent it, with a "uniformity excuse."
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SSG (Join to see)
It is impossible to mandate "Uniformity" during a transitional period. Both are authorized and therefore both can be worn.
As you get new Soldiers they will have the current uniform while seasoned Soldiers will still have the Grey.
As you get new Soldiers they will have the current uniform while seasoned Soldiers will still have the Grey.
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SFC (Join to see)
I thought the same thing in 2005 when ACU's were being phased in, but the uniformity policy was enforced until everyone in the unit had ACU's, until that time we stayed in BDU's. I dont believe as of yet that the new APFU is being issued in BCT, but I could be wrong on that.
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CW5 (Join to see)
Yup that mentality caused a new arrival to the unit to go out and buy a new set of BDUs when were in transition. He was a recruiter for 4 years and had only ACUs when arriving to Ft. Riley. CSM said he won't have any of those in formation until we got issued our RFI for deployment.
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I do not agree with any leader mandating his/her Soldiers posses a uniform that is not mandatory yet as the ALARACT says. He can highly encourage but to make it mandatory is malarkey and if he uses the excuse the Army gives you a clothing allowance well yes but some peoples anniversary is not until June or later so that does not hold water either.
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SSG (Join to see)
That is kind of my point. They have time, a short suspense is unreasonable and possibly unauthorized.
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Is this stuff real? I really have a hard time believing that there are still senior NCO's making these comments, especially with instant access to information in today's technological world. Ugh.
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SSG (Join to see)
Unfortunately it was said but never truly followed through on. My concern with this was for the younger Soldiers. We are still getting new troops that were issued the grey uniform.
Everything in Alaska is a little more expensive and an individual definitely needs to budget.
I would like to caveat that this is a really good 1SG; just not used to the methods. As an older Soldier I see both sides of the equation.
Everything in Alaska is a little more expensive and an individual definitely needs to budget.
I would like to caveat that this is a really good 1SG; just not used to the methods. As an older Soldier I see both sides of the equation.
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No the 1SG can't do that. Im wearing my old ones until I can get at least 2 sets of the new PTs
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SSG (Join to see)
That is where I am at. I want to ensure I have enough articles of the new in order to be fresh the next day at Fitness Training without having to worry about washing the same day. I also air dry most of my clothing. Thank You for your response SFC (Join to see)
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In the 70-80's when a new uniform was mandated by the Dept of the Army each unit supply rooms were issued the number and size required for the initial issue and it was added to your clothing record. Replacement and maintenance of the item/s were through your personal clothing allowance.
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SSG (Join to see)
I originally came in in 88' and it has never been that way I have seen a couple of posts stating that very same thing.
That would definitely alleviate this current situation for sure. Maybe then it would be realized the difficulty in obtaining the Uniform.
That would definitely alleviate this current situation for sure. Maybe then it would be realized the difficulty in obtaining the Uniform.
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SSG (Join to see) If anything, your 1SG can HIGHLY recommend that the Soldiers in your unit purchase the new PFU, with the caveat that the Soldier's purchase them upon receipt of their yearly clothing allowance.
1SG probably just wants everyone in the same uniform for appearances sake.
Sparta Lives!
1SG probably just wants everyone in the same uniform for appearances sake.
Sparta Lives!
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SSG (Join to see) the clothing allowance for a first term soldier is $153, at least that's what I got. That is good for a new pair of boots or a new set of ACUs with a pair of PCs and maybe get your new ranks on your ASUs if you got automatically promoted, like me. I know NCOs get a lot more in clothing allowance but you have to think about the junior enlisted too.
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SSG (Join to see)
That is exactly who I am thinking of and why I started this post to begin with.
I am not sure I get more b/c of rank or TIS. I think it goes up with the more time. I am not positive on how the amount is determined.
I am not sure I get more b/c of rank or TIS. I think it goes up with the more time. I am not positive on how the amount is determined.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) I think is becauso of the fact that as first term soldiers, we still haven't used our issued uniforms or items to their use life date. Every ACU set, by reg, has an use life of 6 months and they give us 4, 3 pairs of boots, 1 parka, 1 fleece jacket, etc. It's pretty hard to use everything in 1 year to the extend that it look jacked up or all weared out. Now, as an NCO, you must have served more than 2 years and you may need more stuff than the junior enlisted.
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No one can mandate a new wear date for new uniforms unless the Army's date has already past. The only Soldiers that would be required to wear the uniforms prior to the Army's date are those Soldiers who were issued the new APFUs in basic, but one such Soldier could purchase the current IPFUs and still wear them because they are authorized for wear.
I'm not sure how things work in the Reserves or National Guard because I have had a chance to research this a little further.
Several individuals have tried similar situations like this for the introduction of the IPFUs and the ACUs. One can only think what will happen when the OCPs come out.
I'm not sure how things work in the Reserves or National Guard because I have had a chance to research this a little further.
Several individuals have tried similar situations like this for the introduction of the IPFUs and the ACUs. One can only think what will happen when the OCPs come out.
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SSG (Join to see)
I have seen many others around the Brigade purchasing them but I am not sure if they are being coerced or doing it on their own.
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MSG Bobby Ewing
SSG Fay (P), first off, congrats on your promotable status. As for those individuals purchasing them, I was say the majority are doing on their own accord. I did the same here in Wiesbaden, Germany. The issue here was like previously stated, not enough supplies or there weren't any in my size. I first bought the Jacket and Pants on one pay day, and then afterwards I bought sets of shorts/short sleeve/ and LS until I had what a Soldier in BCT would receive for initial issue. Now, I just purchase one or two items a month and will stop when I have two complete sets of APFUs.
This is my advice to my current and previous Soldiers. I would just tailor the plan to each Soldier's financial status. Two complete sets is overboard, but it has helped me in the longer run from past experiences and our ever changing Army.
This is my advice to my current and previous Soldiers. I would just tailor the plan to each Soldier's financial status. Two complete sets is overboard, but it has helped me in the longer run from past experiences and our ever changing Army.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank You. I am with you on that plan. I know that the sizing is correct on this one vs the one being phased out. Therefore I have advised the Soldiers to try them on and buy what they can instead of a huge purchase when mandatory.
I am with you on multiple sets. I am required to run a great deal so I like to have 3-5 summer sets for cleanliness purposes.
I am with you on multiple sets. I am required to run a great deal so I like to have 3-5 summer sets for cleanliness purposes.
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