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I have been noticing a trend lately. I ETS'd from the Army less then 60 days ago. I was on deployment until July of this past year. I noticed since the beginning of OEF XIII that a lot of the LT's have been sewing their names over their back trouser pockets the way marines do. Prior to that I have not ever seen this done to the ACU/OCP uniform. Regulations do not explicitly forbid this, but AR 670-1 does specify where the name tapes go, and the back of the trousers is not mentioned. Which leads to my question as to why this seems to be popular among todays LT's. Do they teach this at OCS/ROTC nowadays? I haven't seen any enlisted or CPT's and above do this so I think this may be new..
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Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 11
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This was mostly done so you didn't lose your clothes when they got turned in for field laundry. We also used to write our name and last 4 on our T-shirts for the same reason.
Of course the old joke was the Navy did it so they would know who they were "fraternizing" with when they were at sea.... ;o)
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Pre ACU many did this. I did as well for BDUS and DCUs . Before KBR, there were Shower, Laundry, Clothing Repair Units (SLCR pronounced slicker) in Supply and Service Companies. Your 21 pieces of laundry went into a mesh bag. The whole bag went into a deuce and a half sized washer and dryer with the rest of your units bags. Some times things got separated. Easier to get your XL-L pants back if there is a name on them. One also wrote their battle roster number or "mechanic number" ( first letter of last name with SSN last four) on your skivvies and tee shirts. Risk accepted with socks. Definitely not new. Probably has more to do with field expedient laundry contracts than some new high speed trend. There is a practical reason for it. This was the explanation a QM LTC also gave me in 1990 when I asked. Lived it in OIF I.<div><br></div><div>Back in the OG 107 and BDU days ROTC Cadets used to have patrol Caps with name tapes sewn in the back and cat eyes like some elite infantry unit SOPs at the time. Got to the 11th ACR and it was not SOP there. Was told I was not in the Ranger Bat and Had to strip them off. Things change.</div>
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Almost all of us who go to Ranger school get the Nametapes sewn on there, as it is one of the easiest ways to track your clothing.
That is the most logical answer I can think of, since all us 19 and 11 series bubba's going were doing it.
That is the most logical answer I can think of, since all us 19 and 11 series bubba's going were doing it.
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SFC (Join to see)
Sir, thats about all I could think of as to the origin. The first time I laid eyes on it (no judging...) was on a female Sigo. Aside from that, graduates of Ranger School.
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I was wondering the same thing, I just got done with WLC, and one of the 11B SGTs in my class had the same thing done to his trousers. I personally think it's a good idea.
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1SG (Join to see)
It is also a good idea for winter Pt pants. The cadets here at West Point have their last name sewn on the back of their winter pt pants
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I had this done while deployed, for laundry purposes.
But when we came back to the states, within a week, I had a CSM rip me a new one for having it done.
We can't win.
But when we came back to the states, within a week, I had a CSM rip me a new one for having it done.
We can't win.
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I know downrange it can be an issue when it comes to laundry and making sure you get your stuff back, so that's a good way to handle that I guess. The only other thing I can think of is for recovery operations for remains (Torso separated from lower body).
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Soldiers have been doing it for a long time. I know at least since the 90's as that's when I joined. And I'm sure for much longer than that. There are many reasons for it. One main reason is do that you can ensure that you always get your own trousers back when you send your uniform to get cleaned.
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Easier to keep up with your clothes in the wash in Ranger school! Did these Officers happen to be 11Bs or tabbed?
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SGT (Join to see)
That would be common sense though LTC Mackay, i dont think we are allowed to do that!?!?!?
Could be the case Sir.
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SPC Ken Hall
I started in Basic putting my name tape (and usually Battle Roster ID) on all pieces of clothing. We were actually required to, for the laundry reasons sort of mentioned above, even though it was a garrison based laundry unit. I also found it practical when I worked at a private kid's camp during that same time (I was NG) and did the same to my civilian camp "uniforms" You'd be surprised how quick things got back to you. Also my view was that if we were supposed to have our name on our helmet cover (the web band) then logic dictated the same for other field wear. While I would NOT put the name tape on a beret, I WOULD put my battle roster id on the inside.
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SSG (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay, I will offer my two cents from the ROTC cadet side. I was a cadet for three years before leaving to deploy with my National Guard unit to Afghanistan. I was the only cadet to have name tapes sewn on my trousers. In general, it was frowned on by most of the cadre, with the exception of a CPT that was actually the one that gave me the idea. Both the CPT and I were from the same infantry BN and it was a common practice for many of the guys in the line companies.
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As a 2LT who recently graduated from OCS, the first time I ever saw a name sewn onto the pants pocket was during ABOLC. He was the only person in the troop who had it done, and he had just graduated Ranger School prior to coming to ABOLC.
I think it's more of a Ranger School habit than anything else.
I think it's more of a Ranger School habit than anything else.
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CPT (Join to see)
Nope. I didn't do it at Ranger School we did our own laundry. You could have done that and it is a good idea but I really don't recall anyone doing that there.
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