Clearing CIF !! What is your best (worst) story ?

PVT Robert Gresham — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:22:38 -0400

I happened to come across this video, and it took me back a long time ago .... Every time you leave a duty assignment you have to turn in the items that were issued at your duty station. I've heard all kinds of horror stories from CIF turn-in.......What's yours?

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Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 2:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:28:48 -0400

So I was clearing Ft Irwin, CA getting ready to PCS to Ft Stewart, GA. Even though my deletion of orders hadnt come through yet (I was on assignment as a 12B but had re-enlisted back to Medic). So, as I was clearing (during block leave time), the CIF guy said to me "See you in a few days" after I had gone through 2 days of back and forth with what was dirty and what wasnt. After FINALLY clearing CIF, and I go to clear S-1, they tell me to stop clearing because my orders re revoked and new orders to Germany were given (but with an even later report date). So, I had to GO BACK to CIF and get all my gear again. The CIF guy that took in my stuff was the same guy that re-issued me my stuff. He looked at me, smiled and said "See, I told you so." When I left for Germany, clearing was easier the second time.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 2:52 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:52:32 -0400

Long ago we looked into it and found it may have started during Civil War. If you did not bring your own horse, bridal, saddle, blankets and so on to Muster they were issued by your unit; you had to either return them or replace them in serviceable condition or declare a combat loss. If you brought your own horse you were paid a few dollars extra each month. Even if you transferred to another unit, you "did not keep your stripes" meaning you turned them in, as you had to find a "slot" in another unit. That may have likely evolved into the tradition of unit unique items, the silly laundry bag, etc.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 30 at 2015 2:54 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:54:13 -0400

Oh man, that was funny as hell, especially the bit about the hat. I had my body armor stolen and bought a MUCH larger set off one of my buddies for cheap. The guy looked at me like I was nuts, but the size info was worn off (*whistles innocently*) so he took it.

I still have nightmares about the multiple trips only to end up having something rejected because it didn't look brand new.

Response by SSG Ray Strenkowski made Jul 30 at 2015 3:06 PM

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:06:50 -0400

Oh the memories! At the 10th Mountain Division we received about 2 shopping carts of gear. Upon turn in they wanted the items back in 'new' condition even though you received them in fair/poor condition. The mickey mouse boots (big white ones) were scuff magnets and I must have tried every chemical known to man before I discovered that Soft Scrub cleaned them easily! A green marker was great for LBE and Flak jackets!

Response by SSG Ray Strenkowski made Jul 30 at 2015 3:07 PM

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:07:48 -0400

Response by CPL(P) Bret Farritor made Jul 30 at 2015 5:04 PM

CPL(P) Bret Farritor — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:04:23 -0400

Is there a character limit for replies? Geez...

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 31 at 2015 10:17 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:17:17 -0400

PVT Robert Gresham - As a company commander at Ft Benning, I noticed that a soldier rarely was able to clear CIF on the first visit because something would always be rejected as "dirty" or something. That required the soldier to have to report back on another day, after having applied the corrective action required (at times, only to have another item that had previously been deemed OK to now be deemed "dirty").... We tried to implement policies to ensure soldiers had no issues at CIF, like having their gear inspected by an NCO before going to CIF, but that was only partially successful, as the civilian CIF personnel obviously had a different opinion about what was clean and serviceable than we did.

I complained about the CIF process to the Ft Benning DOL and even suggested that my company was being treated differently than others because we were MPs. I got no satisfaction, so I decided to do something to prove my point.

We took the CIF issue of the next two soldiers reporting to the unit and gave it to two soldiers to turn in (without it being touched by anyone since it was issued). When it was being turned in, both soldiers failed the turn-in because of "dirty and unserviceable" items (items that had just been issued from that CIF and not used). I brought this to the attention of the CIF Manager and the DOL, both of whom just basically blew me off. I then went to the IG and they launched their own investigation and it was eventually cleaned up, although I had already changed command and PCS'd before seeing it come to resolution.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 6 at 2015 11:27 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:27:35 -0400

It appears that troubles with CIF go all the way to the top too! ;)

Dempsey Unable To Retire Until CIF Signs Off On Missing Canteen

WASHINGTON — Despite Gen. Martin Dempsey having a retirement ceremony last week, the Army Central Issue Facility (CIF) has refused to clear him due to unreturned issue items and has delayed his retirement indefinitely, Duffel Blog has learned. “The big gen’ral (sic) hasn’t turned in his aluminum canteen from 1979 or his medical kit from 1985,” CIF …

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 8:53 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:53:18 -0400

Not in the same class as many of these, but when I went to CIF to leave Ft. Leonard Wood, MO after Basic and AIT, I was standing in line holding my duffel bag against my chest like a hundred or so other brand new combat engineers waiting my turn after days of cleaning kit. A bird flew over and crapped on my duffel bag.

Response by SGT Josheua Cooke made Oct 16 at 2015 2:02 AM

SGT Josheua Cooke — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 02:02:50 -0400

Get the LT to flipl... The vultures at CIF are hired as a means to test your fortitude against beating them to death with a K Pot.

Response by SGT Josheua Cooke made Oct 16 at 2015 3:16 AM

SGT Josheua Cooke — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 03:16:06 -0400

Clearing FT Campbell a few years back after returning from deployment where my plate carrier had been destroyed. All of the kevlar mat had come from together while washing it. When they asked where the kevlar inserts were I reached into my bag and pulled out a giant yarn ball of kevlar weave and gently set it on the vest.
"Anything else?"
Blank stare
"Nope... Your good to go."

Response by LTC David Brown made Dec 20 at 2021 9:02 PM

LTC David Brown — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 21:02:48 -0500

I was PCS and working day shift. I had trouble getting away to clear CIF. My head nurse an old tanker Sargent drove me over to CIF. I was still a 2nd LT. We got to CIF and they had closed for training about 5 minutes before I arrived. Nope wouldn’t let me in. We were driving around the facility on a one way rode to leave and we spotted an open office door that had a sign “ Do Not Enter”. Of course we stopped, I grabbed my gear and acted stupid as I went in. An old Sargent setting there said “what do you need Lt “ with an amused look. I said “ I’m shipping out soon, got to get this turned in”. He gave the smile that said “ you are a dumb sh*t Lt”. The Sargent took me around front and told the guy who had initially refused me ordered to get me cleared”.