Posted on Jun 8, 2015
Can Soldiers who own the OCP-Afghanistan uniform wear it at their own discretion during the transition period, without fear of reprisal?
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I was reviewing the newly published ALARACT for the wear transition from ACU to OCP. As you know it clearly states that commanders cannot force their soldiers to purchase uniforms. My question is, if Soldiers within units own the OCP-Afghanistan uniforms can they be worn at their own discretion, without fear of reprisal from the unit's chain of command? Granted, the Soldiers wearing the OCP pattern will stick out compared to the mass of Soldiers wearing the ACU pattern, the whole purpose is to begin transitioning to the new uniform?
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 20
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That trembling you just felt was a disturbance in the CSM "force" rumbling over the topic of soldier uniformity.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
Major,
Would not that same trembling be felt over a Beard and Non-standard headgear? Just Saying...
Would not that same trembling be felt over a Beard and Non-standard headgear? Just Saying...
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SFC (Join to see)
Oh, trust me, I have seen the ripples in the force from many a CSM from beards and non standard headgear, but, as long as the unit you're in is in compliance with it's own uniform policy, there is nothing the CSM can do, as long as those Soldiers, mostly SOF Soldiers, are in compliance with their own units uniform and relaxed grooming standards policy.
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Amended post to add a picture - we been here before.
Short answer YES you can wear it and I am not sure what you mean by reprisal? There is the catch to that statement. (AR 670-1) Senior commanders may prescribe the uniform for wear in formations. When not prescribed by the senior commander, unit commanders will prescribe the uniform for wear in formation. In other words Commanders may dictate a uniform if all have it for certain purposes and occasions. Now in your case if you are the only one in the company that has it because of a recent deployment than the Commander may tell you to wear the prescribed uniform of the day. That is NOT reprisal it’s using his authority to maintain uniformity. Although, that will be increasingly more difficult to do soon since the new uniform will be available in clothing sales come July.
Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the Operational Camouflage Pattern during the transition period is authorized. Starting next month (July), through Sept. 30, 2019, there will be three different uniforms authorized for wear for soldiers in garrison. Our Soldiers will return from deployment with the old OCP version. I will have no issues if they wear it. Although they don’t seem to hold up so well and fade quickly so we may go back to my first comments during certain occasions - if there is a Ceremony, COC etc... I have never seen so called reprisals for wearing an authorized uniform. Usually it’s when it starts looking like crap, in that case go buy the new one. Example FRACUs (Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform) looked different and sometimes I seen commands not allow them during curtain Ceremonies. Going to be a strange couple years.
I think if you are on the Army team you should wear the new Jersey/Uniform when it becomes available Remember though, the SMA said until his next clothing allowance not in a few years or when he has to. That means it could be in the next few months like myself. Sooner or later unless you are getting out you have to have it. So why are there the types of Soldier that put it off until they have to? Hope most COCs out there and old timers like myself adapt and don’t freak seeing three uniform in formation – guess I’ll know soon enough.
Hope this helped.
Edit
Short answer YES you can wear it and I am not sure what you mean by reprisal? There is the catch to that statement. (AR 670-1) Senior commanders may prescribe the uniform for wear in formations. When not prescribed by the senior commander, unit commanders will prescribe the uniform for wear in formation. In other words Commanders may dictate a uniform if all have it for certain purposes and occasions. Now in your case if you are the only one in the company that has it because of a recent deployment than the Commander may tell you to wear the prescribed uniform of the day. That is NOT reprisal it’s using his authority to maintain uniformity. Although, that will be increasingly more difficult to do soon since the new uniform will be available in clothing sales come July.
Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the Operational Camouflage Pattern during the transition period is authorized. Starting next month (July), through Sept. 30, 2019, there will be three different uniforms authorized for wear for soldiers in garrison. Our Soldiers will return from deployment with the old OCP version. I will have no issues if they wear it. Although they don’t seem to hold up so well and fade quickly so we may go back to my first comments during certain occasions - if there is a Ceremony, COC etc... I have never seen so called reprisals for wearing an authorized uniform. Usually it’s when it starts looking like crap, in that case go buy the new one. Example FRACUs (Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform) looked different and sometimes I seen commands not allow them during curtain Ceremonies. Going to be a strange couple years.
I think if you are on the Army team you should wear the new Jersey/Uniform when it becomes available Remember though, the SMA said until his next clothing allowance not in a few years or when he has to. That means it could be in the next few months like myself. Sooner or later unless you are getting out you have to have it. So why are there the types of Soldier that put it off until they have to? Hope most COCs out there and old timers like myself adapt and don’t freak seeing three uniform in formation – guess I’ll know soon enough.
Hope this helped.
Edit
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SFC (Join to see)
I was in the same situation when ACUs came out. I wanted to wear the BDUs till the official date. Our CSM requested I conform with the rest of the unit. I had the new uniforms, not really any good reason not to other than "I didn't want to." That reason usually doesn't work out to well. I am sure there wouldn't have been any type of reprisal, it was just a matter of uniformity.
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CW2 Stephen Pate
Well said CSM....eventually we will have to accept a mixed formation for a while because new Soldiers will start getting this new uniform issued instead of the Gray ACUs in Jan 2016 I think.
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CPT (Join to see)
You're correct, SFC Pate. The OCP becomes clothing bag standard for BCT in Jan 2016. Depending on the guidance I get from my Commander, I'll purchase the new uniform promptly (the new jersey mentality that CSM stated above) but will continue to keep my ACUs in reserve for field work and such, unless that is strictly forbidden by my higher ups. I was speaking to an E-7 in my unit and he agreed that he would jump back and forth; the new uniforms/his good condition OEFCPs for office work, etc and ACUs for field problems.
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There will always be someone who wants everyone in the same uniform at the same time.
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