Posted on Sep 9, 2021
what regulation covers being forced to spend money ?
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so our new battalion sm is basically forcing us to spend money on getting certain things sewn on our gear and we face getting in trouble if we don't have it the way he does. i just want to know what regulation covers that, i've been searching but can't find one.
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Army Regulations
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
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Goggle: Your Monthly Clothing Allowance on your LES (Leave and Earnings Statement). There’s a lot to say about that. It isn’t much, but collectively and over time additional money provides for the maintenance and replacement of military clothing as they wear out beyond that initial issue of clothing back in Basic Training or Boot Camp. Back in my day we were always sewing on Unit Patches, Insignia, rank, name tapes, and buttons etc etc. The convenience of Velcro and no need for boot black shoe polish nowadays amazes me. ARMY the most fun, cold and misery I ever had. I wish I could do it all again. Essayons!
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You got 2 choices, you can either get your stuff sewn on without any issues or disobey a direct order that was given from a Field Grade Officer. Your going to lose this fight and at the end of the day, you will comply to your BCs Uniform Standards. Lead by Example
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SGT (Join to see) Give an exact example of what your CSM is "requiring" you to get sewn on your gear. If you do that we would be able to give you better answers. Brother you should pick what battles are really worth fighting.
Also, everyone that is saying that Clothing Allowance is for this. Clothing Allowance is for replacing clothing bag items, not sewing extra stuff that units want on uniforms/equipment.
Also, everyone that is saying that Clothing Allowance is for this. Clothing Allowance is for replacing clothing bag items, not sewing extra stuff that units want on uniforms/equipment.
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Clothing Allowance. For uniforms, uniform items and alterations for uniforms. And for gear, if need be. You're not being forced. You've been directed. You've been ordered. If you feel this strongly that this is not right, then contact IG and ask them if this is a violation. Hell, call JAG and ask them if this is a violation. Don't be surprised if they both say NO.
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You do get a clothing allowance each year for things like this...what have you been doing with yours?
Also, realize that there are out of pocket costs that soldiers pay even when it's outside the month when you get your annual clothing allowance. In fact, female servicemembers pay more out of pocket costs for uniform items than male servicemembers, per the 52-page report, released Thursday by the Government Accountability Office in February 2021.
"The report finds, among other things, that the costs of essentials not included in the allowance calculations are significantly higher for women than men in every service; that female officers have been disproportionately burdened by numerous uniform changes over the past decades requiring the purchase of new items; and that out-of-pocket uniform costs for enlisted women can add up to $8,000 or more over a career, while some men report pocketing allowance overages."
So if you think you're paying a lot of out of pocket costs for uniforms, try being a female servicemember. I didn't even realize how bad it was until I found this.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/25/yes-there-pink-tax-womens-military-uniforms-report-finds.html
I also found this article: https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2020/06/23/military-families-lose-about-5000-out-of-pocket-for-each-pcs-move-survey-finds/
Out of pocket expenses for military families every PCS:
"Military families are losing an average of $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses each time they move, according to survey data just released by a national nonprofit organization.
That includes an average of $1,913 in moving expenses that aren’t reimbursed by the military, and an average of $2,920 over and above claims paid for loss and damage to their belongings, according to the Military Family Advisory Network survey data released Tuesday. More than two-thirds of those who moved to a new duty station within the past three years experienced loss or damage in their most recent move."
You being told that the unit standard is to have name tapes sewn onto uniforms or other things sewn on isn't against regulation.
I'm wondering - though - does anyone know if something like this still exists?
https://www.army.mil/article/97352/sewing_is_free_to_soldiers
It's from 2013 - I can't tell if it's still in existence at JBLM or if any other QM units do this. That seems pretty convenient actually.
Also, realize that there are out of pocket costs that soldiers pay even when it's outside the month when you get your annual clothing allowance. In fact, female servicemembers pay more out of pocket costs for uniform items than male servicemembers, per the 52-page report, released Thursday by the Government Accountability Office in February 2021.
"The report finds, among other things, that the costs of essentials not included in the allowance calculations are significantly higher for women than men in every service; that female officers have been disproportionately burdened by numerous uniform changes over the past decades requiring the purchase of new items; and that out-of-pocket uniform costs for enlisted women can add up to $8,000 or more over a career, while some men report pocketing allowance overages."
So if you think you're paying a lot of out of pocket costs for uniforms, try being a female servicemember. I didn't even realize how bad it was until I found this.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/25/yes-there-pink-tax-womens-military-uniforms-report-finds.html
I also found this article: https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2020/06/23/military-families-lose-about-5000-out-of-pocket-for-each-pcs-move-survey-finds/
Out of pocket expenses for military families every PCS:
"Military families are losing an average of $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses each time they move, according to survey data just released by a national nonprofit organization.
That includes an average of $1,913 in moving expenses that aren’t reimbursed by the military, and an average of $2,920 over and above claims paid for loss and damage to their belongings, according to the Military Family Advisory Network survey data released Tuesday. More than two-thirds of those who moved to a new duty station within the past three years experienced loss or damage in their most recent move."
You being told that the unit standard is to have name tapes sewn onto uniforms or other things sewn on isn't against regulation.
I'm wondering - though - does anyone know if something like this still exists?
https://www.army.mil/article/97352/sewing_is_free_to_soldiers
It's from 2013 - I can't tell if it's still in existence at JBLM or if any other QM units do this. That seems pretty convenient actually.
Yes, There Is a 'Pink Tax' on Women's Military Uniforms, Report Finds
Out-of-pocket uniforms costs for enlisted women can add up to $8,000 or more over a career, the report found.
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On the AAFES online store CW3 aviation shoulder boards are $1 more for females despite being smaller. Someone once told me they thought maybe its a supply and demand thing but if that is the case shoulder boards for branches with less officers should cost more than larger branches regardless of gender.
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When you say gear, I’m guessing he wants nametapes and “cat eyes” in accordance with SOP? Either way, the Army gives you a clothing allowance for uniforms/maintenance. Not sure this is the hill to die on. Grab a needle and thread and get to stitchin’. He’s not ordering you to spend your hard-earned money. He’s requiring the units get in compliance with unit SOP. Join thr team, it’s not that bad my friend.
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It could possibly be in your Division Blue Book as well. That’s where I find what is set for us at 2ID as far as setting up our gear to include what to have on our cat eyes. 4 ID had us put the patch on our Kevlar.
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I am retired so can only speak when I was serving.
I see this question pop up now and then and I SMH wondering is this person serious. We were given a clothing allowance, each month that was suppose to help keep our uniforms in good condition or update when needed. Of course, the clothing allowance didn't cover half the cost most of the time, especially when new items were phased in and old ones phased out, nor did it cover when PCS to a new assignment and having to have new patches swon on, or promotion in rank etc. Going from a cold climate where one would wear a heavy uniform as to warmer climate or vise of versa.
The bottom line, one did it because it was required, it should esprit de core etc.
Now these items can be used a tax write offs,but of course ones needs enough items to itemized and not taking the standard deductions.
Bottom line, it seems what has happen over the several decades it's what is it in it for me, instead of what is best for my unit. Just my opinion
I see this question pop up now and then and I SMH wondering is this person serious. We were given a clothing allowance, each month that was suppose to help keep our uniforms in good condition or update when needed. Of course, the clothing allowance didn't cover half the cost most of the time, especially when new items were phased in and old ones phased out, nor did it cover when PCS to a new assignment and having to have new patches swon on, or promotion in rank etc. Going from a cold climate where one would wear a heavy uniform as to warmer climate or vise of versa.
The bottom line, one did it because it was required, it should esprit de core etc.
Now these items can be used a tax write offs,but of course ones needs enough items to itemized and not taking the standard deductions.
Bottom line, it seems what has happen over the several decades it's what is it in it for me, instead of what is best for my unit. Just my opinion
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If this is distressing to you SGT then do yourself a favor and never become an officer or especially an officer in the guard and reserves. You’ll be spending a lot more of your own money to alter and update equipment and clothing to meet requirements than you are now without a clothing allowance each year. This is why you’ll see many reserve and guard officers hitting up local surplus stores, eBay, or doing online trading for things.
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