Should custom made uniforms be ousted?

PO2 Neil Manischewitz — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 22:39:30 -0400

To elaborate, should custom made uniforms to fit heavily overweight service members be stopped to prevent sending the message that it's okay to be that big? Not only does it send the wrong message to the service member that we are essentially allowing it, but it also does not look good on the service of they are seen in public like that...your thoughts?

Response by PO2 Neil Manischewitz made Apr 21 at 2015 10:53 PM

PO2 Neil Manischewitz — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 22:53:18 -0400

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 21 at 2015 10:57 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 22:57:49 -0400

I voted no. I think custom made uniforms look great.....just not when used as a weight-hiding device. What needs to be done away with is the overlooking of standards.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 11:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:26:01 -0400

In the Army we have AR 600-9. Less childish shaming and more enforcing of standards. Why are we calling the SM fat when we should be asking what we can do to help him/her? To answer your question, no. Afford the SM an opportunity to improve, and wear what fits him/her, regardless of it had to be altered.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 12:01 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 00:01:54 -0400

I feel that If we are going to have height/weight standards or PT standards, etc. Then YES, the custom made uniforms should be ousted. Nothing against "bigger" people. I just feel like if there is a set standard then we should abide by it.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Apr 22 at 2015 5:26 AM

PV2 Violet Case — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 05:26:29 -0400

I don't think the uniforms should be bigger. But when I was in the military they suited us with what they pretty much had. I remember having to sew my own up on the sides of my fatiques because the crotch hung part way down to my knees if I didn't and were 3 sizes to big. When I left basic training I was allowed to buy my own and my own jump boots I did not feel right in the womens boots my legs and ankles would hurt bad in them and had shin splints from them. I would much rather had a uniform fit proper. Our drill Sargent if he saw you even put on 3 pbs made girls be what he called road toad to run out and stop traffic for the company to march by then you run to catch up. They were well disciplined at that back then.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 22 at 2015 6:21 AM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 06:21:25 -0400

Don't care as long as the uniform looks like the standard uniforms. A Soldier's uniform should Always look professional even if he or she is overweight. If you have to order custom for it to fit properly, so be it.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Apr 22 at 2015 7:08 AM

1LT William Clardy — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 07:08:42 -0400

How the uniform is crafted is irrelevant. The only question regarding a custom-made uniform should only be whether or not the uniform meets the specification.

If you want to send a message, use Western-Union instead of taking an "any stick to beat that dog" approach to leveraging regulations just to make a point.

Response by MSG David Chappell made Apr 22 at 2015 7:13 AM

MSG David Chappell — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 07:13:21 -0400

I had a platoon sergeant at Fort Bragg who had to have his BDU's custom made. He had 3% body fat was six-foot wait almost 245 pounds of had the biggest arms I had Ever Seen on human being. So a custom uniform was required and he was not overweight quite the opposite he was a physical fitness master and a huge human being

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 9:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 May 2015 21:36:05 -0400

It depends on why he needs them:
Is he a stacked 6'3" muscular behemoth or a 6' 3" Michelin Man?
I've had to tailor uniforms because I am between sizes and don't want my drawers hanging off my 4th point of contact...

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jul 27 at 2017 7:33 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:33:48 -0400

Would I be wrong to guess at the DI uniforms are altered to fit?

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 28 at 2017 12:28 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:28:48 -0400

No Parrots or hooks

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 12:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:29:00 -0400

You can tailor an outfit all you want, fat is fat. It shows in an official photo no matter how hard you try to hide it. It is all about the blue.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 12:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:31:25 -0400

When I was in my early 20's I didn't understand I saw so many larger leaders. Take another look at professional sports teams and try to apply the military standards that we currently follow. You would have a lot less teams members. When I went to Air Assault school I passed 1st time but had to be taped. I had a Soldier that was 19, scored extended scale on every event was the "picture" of a Soldier. He failed Air Assault school 4 times. It is more about being physically fit and being able to do your job. Just remember just because something/ someone looks good doesn't mean it can get the job done.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 28 at 2017 2:09 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 02:09:45 -0400

Having a tailored or custom uniform isn't the problem so much as being overweight. A scale still knows if it has to grown when too much weight is on it. Even if the uniform fits or looks better it still doesn't make an overweight person weigh less. That doesn't fool anyone.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 9:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 09:24:16 -0400

If the soldier is overweight we do something called a tape test to determine that. Why does wearing a custom uniform have anything to do with that. If the command is not doing their job, file a IG complaint or you the open door policy to go higher. Or would rather people who pass tape walk around looking like crap in public because they have huge biceps and have to wear their uniform tops like a dress.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 10:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:32:34 -0400

OMFG, really? If you're fat, you're just fat. There is no sugar coating it. I would consider customizing my uniform to make it fit better because MR multicams are huge. Not making it bigger to hide disgusting fat. If someone is so fat that they have to make a uniform to fit them, they do not belong in the Armed Forces period. That's a personal responsibility.