Posted on Jan 11, 2022
Do I have to sew my name onto my Rucksack and assault pack?
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I was wondering if I am obligated by any regulation to sew my name onto my rucksack and assault pack? I'm still going to do it myself, I just wanted to know if I am obligated to do it.
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Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 12
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You are obligated to follow orders of your chain of command if they tell you to do it.
How's that for a regulation
How's that for a regulation
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
SPC (Join to see) - I gave him simple advice. He's a Specialist, so he should know that answer. I do not believe he has never been told that before. You yourself know that is the answer. I have no filter when it comes to information soldiers were taught in Basic and AIT.
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As for the information at the beginning, do you think it is otherwise?
If so explain here how, "You are obligated to follow orders of your chain of command if they tell you to do it. How's that for a regulation." is untrue.
I also said, "The bar for the question wasn't very high. The next level of advice upward requires more information than provided by the soldier." He has not provided any more information.
You and SPC (Join to see) are not he and do not know what other will be given if he does provide more information.
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As for the information at the beginning, do you think it is otherwise?
If so explain here how, "You are obligated to follow orders of your chain of command if they tell you to do it. How's that for a regulation." is untrue.
I also said, "The bar for the question wasn't very high. The next level of advice upward requires more information than provided by the soldier." He has not provided any more information.
You and SPC (Join to see) are not he and do not know what other will be given if he does provide more information.
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SPC (Join to see)
SFC Ralph E Kelley I have a problem with the “how’s that for a regulation”, it’s not a regulation, it’s a snarky quip at someone who is asking a question.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
SPC (Join to see) - Got your point. I was attempting to 'jolly' him out of a grievous error.
Sorry you're offended but he mayhap be in violation of Article 92 UCMJ, though I am not sure which violation he may have violated if he did not do the task as his unit COC directed him. A soldier who has reached SPC rank should able to avoid these questions. His use of the word 'Obligated' is a clear give away that he is avoiding saying he received an order (either written in a unit SOP or verbal) and feels he was wronged or it is wrong.
I am not a lawyer thus was uncertain if I could explain particulars to the soldier. If he persists then he could be in violation of Article 92, possibly Article 80.
Specifically he could have :
¶ 3-16-1 – Violation General Order or Regulation.
¶ 3-16-2 – Violating Other Written Order or Regulation.
¶ 3-16-3 – Failure to Obey Lawful Order.
¶ 3-16-4 – Dereliction of Duty.
Hopefully he will not have to this query to legal counsel if he does not comply with the order and his COC will just jolly him along without UCMJ Action.
Sorry you're offended but he mayhap be in violation of Article 92 UCMJ, though I am not sure which violation he may have violated if he did not do the task as his unit COC directed him. A soldier who has reached SPC rank should able to avoid these questions. His use of the word 'Obligated' is a clear give away that he is avoiding saying he received an order (either written in a unit SOP or verbal) and feels he was wronged or it is wrong.
I am not a lawyer thus was uncertain if I could explain particulars to the soldier. If he persists then he could be in violation of Article 92, possibly Article 80.
Specifically he could have :
¶ 3-16-1 – Violation General Order or Regulation.
¶ 3-16-2 – Violating Other Written Order or Regulation.
¶ 3-16-3 – Failure to Obey Lawful Order.
¶ 3-16-4 – Dereliction of Duty.
Hopefully he will not have to this query to legal counsel if he does not comply with the order and his COC will just jolly him along without UCMJ Action.
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SPC (Join to see)
SFC Ralph E Kelley - I get your point, and in many situations it's warranted. That said, having worked the legal eagle side of things, I am not surprised when Soldiers ask questions similar to this. I say this because as it turns out and I'm sure we've all bared witness, a lot of morons achieved stripes or brass.
I have watched SNCO's and FG's not know the regulations they preach, abuse Soldiers in violation of those same regulations all under the guise of "Follow Orders!", and yes some of that has involved Soldiers spending their own money because it was "command directed". An IG complaint or commanders inquiry later and some of those stripes disappear and some of those brass find themselves relieved.
Soldiers, regardless of rank, asking why must I do this thing or why must I make others do this thing is nothing new to the Army. It is documented as far back as Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben during the Revolutionary War where he was quoted as saying, "The genius of this nation is not in the least to be compared with that of the Prussians, or Austrians, or French. You say to your Soldier, "Do this", and he does it. But here, I am obliged to say, "This is the reason why you ought to do that," and then he does it. We credit Baron von Steuben as having trained America's first Drill Sergeants.
That said, in this modern age where Soldiers have such easy access to regulations at their fingertips, it does leave credence that Junior Enlisted should know more or be able to research quickly. Though for those of us whose job it is to research regulations, it can be understandably a daunting task, especially when others throw their own interpretations into the regulation over what it actually is.
I have watched SNCO's and FG's not know the regulations they preach, abuse Soldiers in violation of those same regulations all under the guise of "Follow Orders!", and yes some of that has involved Soldiers spending their own money because it was "command directed". An IG complaint or commanders inquiry later and some of those stripes disappear and some of those brass find themselves relieved.
Soldiers, regardless of rank, asking why must I do this thing or why must I make others do this thing is nothing new to the Army. It is documented as far back as Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben during the Revolutionary War where he was quoted as saying, "The genius of this nation is not in the least to be compared with that of the Prussians, or Austrians, or French. You say to your Soldier, "Do this", and he does it. But here, I am obliged to say, "This is the reason why you ought to do that," and then he does it. We credit Baron von Steuben as having trained America's first Drill Sergeants.
That said, in this modern age where Soldiers have such easy access to regulations at their fingertips, it does leave credence that Junior Enlisted should know more or be able to research quickly. Though for those of us whose job it is to research regulations, it can be understandably a daunting task, especially when others throw their own interpretations into the regulation over what it actually is.
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If sewing nametapes is unit SOP, then yes. If not, them no. But, it's also good idea to to see IOT prevent theft
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SPC (Join to see)
Have to agree with MSG (Join to see), even if you find a verifiable answer in the reg or policy that says you don't have to, it's still smart to do it.
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SPC (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - simple answer that usually means SOP, which of course means there are other uniform and gear SOP's your unit has. This would be a good opportunity to learn them and ask why or get additional details to ensure you're doing it right and paying the least to square your gear away.
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Why no Specialist- when ordered you can just throw your unmarked shit into the Deuce and half, or ground it, so it can be transported to a different location for you, or palletize it to oversea travel. Then when you can't find it or there are several unmarked ones- and folks say it theirs- you can fix it thru a Statement of Charges out of your next paycheck!
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SPC (Join to see)
SGM Bill Frazer answer is blunt but to the point, you're in the Army, and as jacked up as it is to say people will steal your gear for any multitude of reasons. Maybe they lost theirs and they're trying to get it back, sucks to be you, or maybe they're a loser who likes to steal stuff just because and still sucks to be you. Heck, even gear I had that was stenciled and had tapes sewn on got stolen.
Cost aside, regulation aside, explanations aside, it's your gear. Keep it.
Cost aside, regulation aside, explanations aside, it's your gear. Keep it.
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SFC David Johnson
Deuce and a half? Lol oh those things parked next to the Gamma goats! Sorry, I just had to.
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SFC David Johnson
SFC Casey O'Mally , I’m old school, LMTV was “new” during my last few years. I was like a kid in a candy store when I first drove my 2 1/2 ton to the turn in lot and drove back the new 5 ton.
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If it’s in the command’s SOP or standards handbook (which it probably is), yes.
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If it's unit standard, yes. But you're not obligated to do it yourself. You can have alterations do it if you aren't the best with needle and thread.
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Are you obligated to? Not usually no, clothing allowance and uniform mandates not withstanding, but it could also be a unit SOP. For example, the various units under the 101st sew patches and insignia to their ACH cover and rucks. Does any regulation cover it specifically? No. Is it still done? Yes. Explore your unit SOP regarding this issue and others with your NCO chain as well as any concerns about personal cost. Another example might be the sewing of your name tape onto the rear of your trousers, you won't find it covered in 670-1 yet it's still done by many Soldiers.
The only issue I have ever seen with things like this is unnecessary cost, now in theory getting a name tape sewn on shouldn't cost much but ask around about the best and most cost effective tailor that is used among your unit unless you're confident in your own sewing skills.
Uniform allowance and personal cost aside, it's a smart thing to do. It's important to be able to quickly ID your gear among the sea of others, but also make it less likely to be stolen by some jerk or some poor schmuck just trying to get his gear back. That said, only one thief in the Army? My backside.
Not every unit requires it of course, some units just have you stencil your name on your gear and that works well enough too. Though of course the sewn name tape looks better, at least in my opinion.
Maybe you'll find an answer that you can backup by reg that says you don't have to, if you do tag me because I'd be interested to read it, but I can tell you there are better and more important battles to pick with some salty stripe wearer or brass polisher that this.
Good luck to you, hope it comes cheap and looks clean.
The only issue I have ever seen with things like this is unnecessary cost, now in theory getting a name tape sewn on shouldn't cost much but ask around about the best and most cost effective tailor that is used among your unit unless you're confident in your own sewing skills.
Uniform allowance and personal cost aside, it's a smart thing to do. It's important to be able to quickly ID your gear among the sea of others, but also make it less likely to be stolen by some jerk or some poor schmuck just trying to get his gear back. That said, only one thief in the Army? My backside.
Not every unit requires it of course, some units just have you stencil your name on your gear and that works well enough too. Though of course the sewn name tape looks better, at least in my opinion.
Maybe you'll find an answer that you can backup by reg that says you don't have to, if you do tag me because I'd be interested to read it, but I can tell you there are better and more important battles to pick with some salty stripe wearer or brass polisher that this.
Good luck to you, hope it comes cheap and looks clean.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you, I am going to get it sewn on. I had it sewn on once before, the stitching just ripped while on a field exercise. I was just curious about it.
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I see below you confirmed that name tapes on rucksack falls within unit SOP. You also said you were going to do it anyway. So what's the concern or question?
Units will have SOP's at times that work for the unit but may not be covered or mandated by DOD or US Army order/policy. Which is why the unit created the SOP in the first place.
Units will have SOP's at times that work for the unit but may not be covered or mandated by DOD or US Army order/policy. Which is why the unit created the SOP in the first place.
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If it is SOP (which it appears it is), then yes. Per AR 600-20, it is a lawful order which you must follow.
BUT
Technically, the unit is required to provide the markings. Most units try to say that is what clothing allowance is for. And it probably is NOT worth the fight to push it. But, technically, that is NOT part of clothing maintenance and therefore not part of the clothing allowance. If you REALLY want to push up, you can force the unit to buy you the name tapes (and cat eyes / etc. for other unit markings). But, again, it is almost DEFINITELY not worth the fight.
As for sewing, they cannot make you get it professionally done. You can do it yourself to save cost. (Alternately, they should not PREVENT getting it professionally done if you do not want to take the effort.)
BUT
Technically, the unit is required to provide the markings. Most units try to say that is what clothing allowance is for. And it probably is NOT worth the fight to push it. But, technically, that is NOT part of clothing maintenance and therefore not part of the clothing allowance. If you REALLY want to push up, you can force the unit to buy you the name tapes (and cat eyes / etc. for other unit markings). But, again, it is almost DEFINITELY not worth the fight.
As for sewing, they cannot make you get it professionally done. You can do it yourself to save cost. (Alternately, they should not PREVENT getting it professionally done if you do not want to take the effort.)
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You don't have to do it, but remember this.
Every rucksack land assault pack looks the same when coming off of a plane. Putting your name on it will make it easier to grab yours when you are digging into the pile.
Every rucksack land assault pack looks the same when coming off of a plane. Putting your name on it will make it easier to grab yours when you are digging into the pile.
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