Posted on Jun 25, 2020
I have been informed that the coyote brown backpack is not authorized in uniform, is this true?
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3-7 AR 670-1
f(2) “if Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black or match the camouflage pattern uniform being worn.” However our military issued dufflebags are dark green and are considered to match the uniform green.
f(2) “if Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black or match the camouflage pattern uniform being worn.” However our military issued dufflebags are dark green and are considered to match the uniform green.
Posted in these groups: 
Army Regulations
DA Pam 670-1
Army Regulations DA Pam 670-1
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Army G-1 released an ETP specifically authorizing coyote brown backpacks.
This memo from the Army G-1 grants an exception to policy to AR 670-1, paragraph 3-7. This exception is applicable to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Effective immediately if Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black, or match one of the colors of the authorized camouflage patterns when wearing the Army Combat Uniform. See the memo for more information.
Update, 23 Mar 18: Based on questions being received, Army G-1 Uniform policy has asked that we provide the below clarification to the ETP memo.
"While wearing the OCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Cream 524
5 Solid Tan 535
6. Solid Pale Green 526
7. Solid Olive 527
8. Solid Dark Green 528
9. Solid Brown 529
10. Solid Dark Brown 530
11. Coyote Brown
While wearing the UCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Desert Sand 500
5. Solid Urban Gray 501
6. Solid Foliage Green 502
While wearing the Class B uniform, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
If a bag, backpack does not meet one of the colors/patterns listed above it must be hand carried and cannot be carried over a shoulder or carried over both shoulders."
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-455223
This memo from the Army G-1 grants an exception to policy to AR 670-1, paragraph 3-7. This exception is applicable to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Effective immediately if Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black, or match one of the colors of the authorized camouflage patterns when wearing the Army Combat Uniform. See the memo for more information.
Update, 23 Mar 18: Based on questions being received, Army G-1 Uniform policy has asked that we provide the below clarification to the ETP memo.
"While wearing the OCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Cream 524
5 Solid Tan 535
6. Solid Pale Green 526
7. Solid Olive 527
8. Solid Dark Green 528
9. Solid Brown 529
10. Solid Dark Brown 530
11. Coyote Brown
While wearing the UCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Desert Sand 500
5. Solid Urban Gray 501
6. Solid Foliage Green 502
While wearing the Class B uniform, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
If a bag, backpack does not meet one of the colors/patterns listed above it must be hand carried and cannot be carried over a shoulder or carried over both shoulders."
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-455223
milSuite provides a collection of social business tools for Department of Defense (DoD) personnel that facilitates professional networking, learning, and innovation through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
SGT (Join to see) - it also says it's being incorporated into AR 670-1 permanently. HRC just moves at the speed of smell ;o)
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the way I understand it is it's up to local policy. In my BDE as long as the backpack is Black or one of the colors in the current camo pattern it is authorized for wear. However, if you want to get tricky and pit nits, by the letter of the reg, this only applies to backpacks that are "worn". technically you can "carry" any color backpack you want as long as it is conservative and professional in appearance.
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Depending on whom is doing the informing in your scenario, the effort and headache probably isn't worth the fight on this one. It's probably beneficial to just use a different bag. However, if your commander has ok'ed the wear of the brown fleece cap, I wouldn't see why a coyote brown backpack would be unauthorized.
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SSG (Join to see)
As an NCO, aren't we supposed to uphold the ARMY standards, and not the standards of someone being stubborn?
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CPT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - The commander has wide latitude to add to standards as he/she sees fit. So, while it's possible to disagree with an addition and take it to a higher level to have them overruled, is it really worth it? In such a scenario, I would ask myself if doing so would truly benefit my subordinate soldiers, or if I'm just making waves because I disagree and want to be stubborn myself.
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SSG (Join to see)
While I understand what you are saying, the memorandum above gives pretty clear cut guidance. A Commander can add to but not take away (still haven't seen that in a regulation), doing so in this instance would undermine the clear direction given.
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CPT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - I agree with you, and in the above situation, that order would probably be rescinded. But ultimately, how much time would you waste trying to fight so you could wear a brown backpack when you have a black one at home? There isn't enough time in the day for me to argue against everything I disagree with in the Army.
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SGM Steve Wettstein
LTC (Join to see) - Carrying would be holding the pack in one hand wearing is when it is over one or both shoulders.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGM Steve Wettstein - exactly. I "carry" my digital pattern backpack while wearing my OCPs
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SFC Michael Hasbun
Not accurate.
Army G-1 released an ETP specifically authorizing coyote brown backpacks.
This memo from the Army G-1 grants an exception to policy to AR 670-1, paragraph 3-7. This exception is applicable to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Effective immediately if Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black, or match one of the colors of the authorized camouflage patterns when wearing the Army Combat Uniform. See the memo for more information.
Update, 23 Mar 18: Based on questions being received, Army G-1 Uniform policy has asked that we provide the below clarification to the ETP memo.
"While wearing the OCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Cream 524
5 Solid Tan 535
6. Solid Pale Green 526
7. Solid Olive 527
8. Solid Dark Green 528
9. Solid Brown 529
10. Solid Dark Brown 530
11. Coyote Brown
While wearing the UCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Desert Sand 500
5. Solid Urban Gray 501
6. Solid Foliage Green 502
While wearing the Class B uniform, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
If a bag, backpack does not meet one of the colors/patterns listed above it must be hand carried and cannot be carried over a shoulder or carried over both shoulders."
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-455223
Army G-1 released an ETP specifically authorizing coyote brown backpacks.
This memo from the Army G-1 grants an exception to policy to AR 670-1, paragraph 3-7. This exception is applicable to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Effective immediately if Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black, or match one of the colors of the authorized camouflage patterns when wearing the Army Combat Uniform. See the memo for more information.
Update, 23 Mar 18: Based on questions being received, Army G-1 Uniform policy has asked that we provide the below clarification to the ETP memo.
"While wearing the OCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Cream 524
5 Solid Tan 535
6. Solid Pale Green 526
7. Solid Olive 527
8. Solid Dark Green 528
9. Solid Brown 529
10. Solid Dark Brown 530
11. Coyote Brown
While wearing the UCP ACU, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
4. Solid Desert Sand 500
5. Solid Urban Gray 501
6. Solid Foliage Green 502
While wearing the Class B uniform, backpacks may be of the following colors/patterns:
1. Operational Camouflage Pattern
2. Universal Camouflage Pattern
3. Solid Black
If a bag, backpack does not meet one of the colors/patterns listed above it must be hand carried and cannot be carried over a shoulder or carried over both shoulders."
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-455223
milSuite provides a collection of social business tools for Department of Defense (DoD) personnel that facilitates professional networking, learning, and innovation through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
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SFC Hasbun already answered the first part of your question. Yes, coyote brown civilian back packs are authorized. I will address the second part of your question. The bags referenced in the Army Regulations are civilian bags, not Army issued TA-50. The language in earlier versions of AR 670-1 were much clearer in this regard. Despite the dubious wording in the newest revisions, it is still only intended to limit the types and colors of civilian bags. If the only rucksack the Army has issued you is UCP, you can't be expected to carry it in your hand on a ruck mark. Even AR 670-1 para 3-7g. spells this out: "g. Soldiers may continue to wear issued uniform items changed in design or material as long as the item remains in serviceable condition, unless specifically prohibited by this regulation or DA Pam 670–1." So, you are permitted to wear a green duffel bag on your back, not because the green "matches" anything, but because it is an issued item in serviceable condition that has not been specifically forbidden.
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Whomever informed you is not aware of the ETP memo from a couple years back that does, in fact, authorize that color.
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Really commander specific how this regulation is read. Examples.
When at DCC coyote, black, or OCP were all accepted backpack colors. Once we were issued our gear for the course they gave us all assault packs in OCP so for uniformity each platoon wore the loaner pack.
At BOLC the schoolhouse requires either black with no labels or OCP for a backpack to be worn. Anything else must be hand carried.
My unit you can wear any color that matches part of the uniform so you see OCP, coyote, and black.
Another unit I RST with allows the same.
My suggestion is just buy a black backpack and black fleece and gloves and then you should always be good.
When at DCC coyote, black, or OCP were all accepted backpack colors. Once we were issued our gear for the course they gave us all assault packs in OCP so for uniformity each platoon wore the loaner pack.
At BOLC the schoolhouse requires either black with no labels or OCP for a backpack to be worn. Anything else must be hand carried.
My unit you can wear any color that matches part of the uniform so you see OCP, coyote, and black.
Another unit I RST with allows the same.
My suggestion is just buy a black backpack and black fleece and gloves and then you should always be good.
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I think it is at the commanders discretion. At my unit we can use the OCP, coyote brown, black, or OD Green back packs for in garrison. If we are doing anything tactical like going to the field then it must be OCP issued pattern.
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