Can Soldiers be mandated to buy the new Physical Fitness Uniform now?

1SGs and CDRs can not mandated everyone to wear the new Army PT until after the wear our date. They can "highly encourage" Soldiers to purchase them as soon as they are financially able to. If they wanted to demonstrate to Soldiers how it could behoove them to purchase the new PT uniform sooner rather than later, they could do the following: At the PT formation on a Friday, separate personnel into 2 platoons; 1 with the IPFU and 1 with the new PT uniform. Have the PSGs take charge of their formations. The PSG with the new PT uniform platoon turns around and promptly yells "ZONK!" The PSG with the IPFU formation turns around and announces they are going to conduct a 8 mile run.

The first time we has someone show up in the new IPFU, the majority of my company had never even seen it before.

This is why we have regulations and ALARACT messages. They can't mandate it, but we all know the many, many ways they have to stall/kill your career if you choose to 'challenge their authority'.

AR 670-1 para. 2-6(f):
"Commanders will not require individuals to purchase optional uniform items. Likewise, they will not restrict or discourage them from wearing optional uniform items authorized by this regulation, except in those instances where uniformity is required, such as parades or formations."

If a commander cannot require it, a 1SG definitely cannot. He can only restrict the wear of option uniform or uniform components for ceremonial or uniformity, but Soldiers cannot be required to possess optional (new) uniforms prior to wear out.

That's a negative. Even now it is difficult to get them pretty much anywhere. If the Army has a DX date then even a 1SG can't say you have to get them. It would be the same if they said something about wearing OCPs when you are allowed to wear ACUs until 2019. Take it up with your CO if you're that worried about it.

Nope...cannot require what the Army has not required.

With regards to enlisted, whenever a new uniform comes out the Army must issue the first set whether it be your dress uniform, your pt uniform, or your camo. Your unit's supply section should be handling this. Officers must purchase their own I believe. As always someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my understanding of Army policy.

They changed twice while I was in. I had to buy both times.

The First Sergeant sets the uniform, if the Command team desires to have all to change to the new PT by a certain date it is their right, that why Active duty gets a Uniform Allowance, so they can purchase new uniforms. Mandatory Possession Date just mean that is the date you must have, but you may possess prior to that date.

I have a very simple answer. The answer is yes, the 1SG can. How? Because that's what your clothing allowance is for! Yet, there is still debate over should or should not.

Think back to the ASU-Greens and the now ASU-Blues. Per ALARACT 099/2011, DTG: R 161504Z Mar 11, the wear out date for the Greens is the 4TH Quarter of FY 2015. That means that Soldiers are still authorized to wear the Greens until that deadline. ETS and retirement should be taken into consideration. Soldiers that ETS or retire before the wear out date may be directed that they are not required to purchase the new uniform. However, Soldier's whose contractual obligation exceeds past the wear out date, will eventually have to purchase the new uniform.

So, for those Soldiers whose ETS or retirement dates that are beyond the wear out date, why procrastinate and fight something you're going to have to conform to anyways?

My ETS was one month after the wear out date for the Greens. Did I want to shell out the money? No! Was I going to have to anyways? Yes! Did I argue with it? No! Why? Because that's what your clothing allowance is for!

I already hear Soldier complaining about it. Then I remind them about their clothing allowance. If they don't want to buy the uniform, they can give back that +$300.