Posted on Sep 16, 2014
Why do you turn in obsolete items on your CIF records when it's time to PCS/ETS? Why must I pay for them if they're missing?
46.6K
34
26
3
3
0
PCS
ETS/EAS
Clothing
Responses: 14
6
6
0
SFC(P) (Join to see)
Put me down for one myself. Does the designator "Found on Installation" work for one? :)
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
In my opinion the Army shouldn't ask for any individual equipment back they are not going to reissue. Think of all the costs to inventory sort and ship that stuff just to get rid of it.
(3)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
As I stated in my answer Sir, a lot of it is sold to our allies, thus making it profitable for the Army, for Soldiers to turn it back in.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
I hear you. I'm less concerned about potentially missing items than I am about having so much to have to keep accounting for. I've tried to go in and turn in and have removed from my records several choice items that i haven't used in years and has been replaced by other gear. I've been through RFI 3 too many times. Quite literally i have 3 tan t-shirts and 3 pairs of green socks. I know exactly when they showed up. The question is, why do i still need them on my 5 page clothing record? I've got roughtly 12 pairs of boots on there of 4 different styles, 5 sets of black silkweight underwear, and 4 sets of tan. Luckily my BDU's were never on there. My DCU's keep switching from ETS transfer y and n.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
One of the things I did when I first signed for the issued equipment was "Not inspect it", before walking away. While CIF would like to rush you out the door, the second time "I inspected every piece of equipment in the list by detail and made them change what was worn out on the spot". If I lose it its on me, but I took well care of the equipment. If the equipment is obsolete and I signed for it, it goes back. Lets just say if its not in my CIF records with my signature I'm not paying it for it. Same was with my TK 101 tool kit. If I had a screw driver missing and I never signed for it, I'm not paying for it.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
After 27 years and 21 flying ones, they will want my plastic kneeboard and aviator glasses back! I think i lost the sunglasses (TOP GUN style) in the Gulf of Mexico, but oh well, I will buy some at the local store and turn in I guess, cause the depreciation after 20 plus years still doesn't allow for me to keep them!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
1SG(P) (Join to see) That does seem ridiculous. Maybe the government is selling all of them to friendly nations?
(1)
(0)
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Actually they give a lot of that stuff away as surplus. Organizations like BSA can get an account number and access to items like tents, sleeping bags etc.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Steel mess kits, Mickey Mouse boots, wool blankets, shelter halves... And the Army keeps rolling along...
Because it is the government. No further justification is need according to them :-)
Because it is the government. No further justification is need according to them :-)
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Probably because you signed for them originally and it was you responsibility to protect them and make sure they are serviceable-That being said it's often much easier to purchase the item at Army/Navy Store or other source for turn in-Hope it was not a "sensitive item"!!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
anyone on Fort Hood knowing the going rate of the black fleece. I have 2 on my hand clothing record but only have possession of 1.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Because they were issued to you, you signed for them, and are expected to maintain them. Just because they arent issued to us anymore doesnt mean that they are yours for the keeping. The military re-purposes old out of date equipment to support many different endevors, from other nations' militarys, issue to civilians, you name it. Where do you think the Iraqis and Afghans got all those K-Pots?
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
My opinion is this, if you have items the army wants back, then turn it back in. They have issued you an item for use, and unless there really isn't a need for the item, then give it back. I have my feelings on some items that I've been issued that I've not wanted to turn in because of future use in my career. i.e. the "marsh mellow suit", or the level 7 layer of the ECWCS Gen III. I had to turn those items back in, which I feel is something we shouldn't because thats still an item that has future use in its life. I feel the army can waste time and money on small things like that, because in the situation that you keep the item and over time you have lost it or it becomes damaged, you still pay for it, either way, the army gets it's money.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In the Army National Guard, YOU CAN.....keep it.... in most cases... depending on what it is...
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SFC Mark Merino actually hit the nail on the head. We sell that old stuff off to our allies. Many of them still use the old stuff that we no longer use. I go to know the CIF guys in Germany pretty well and actually asked that question. And they told me exactly that.
(0)
(0)
PO1 (Join to see)
I like that answer! Accountability! What a concept! Now we know one of the reasons the Army promoted you 1SG (Join to see) !
(1)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
Thanks PO1 (Join to see) it was drilled into my head early in my career and something that I have maintained and trained all my subordinates to strictly adhere to.
(1)
(0)
PO1 (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) I will add one incident that, to this day, makes me shake my head. There are procedures for returning items ordered under specific criteria in the Navy. I won't go into detail, because it doesn't matter. The point being, the part was considered "a repairable item" and thus the old part had to be returned to whatever organization for repair and re-issue in the future. The specific item was a double-sided seal - very expensive and very very close tolerances - down to the millionths. What I didn't know was the pump in question had been pretty much a total failure for several years before I showed up and the seal assembly had literally dissolved over the years. Anyway, I open the pump, look inside and all I find are rusted flakes - literally. There are no parts / pieces that represent anything resembling the double-sided seal assembly I expected. So I cleaned out the interior, Mic'd it out (it passed) to insure fit and installed the new / rebuilt seal. All done! The pump works! Yay!
PO1 is feeling very studly - a nearly impossible task completed in short order and done well under time constraints, etc. QA/QC gives me the green light and the file is closed.
NOT so fast. Turns out I had not filed the requisite paperwork and returned the part for repair as required in regulations. Command was incensed - I was gonna cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars if I didn't return the part. The supply Chief was chortling with glee - he had finally found a regulation that I had broken that he could hang around my neck!
The Chief Engineer called me into his stateroom - doom was hanging aroung PO1 like an albatross - sailors flee at the sight of said miscreant....
As I made my way to the ladder that would take me to the Cheng's stateroom a young sailor in my division hands me a manila envelope. Curious, I look at the sealed envelope - on it, in properly coded alpha-numeric navy style it says: Seal, double-sided, style.... X, NSN X, Status - unrepairable/destroyed.
I walked into the Cheng's stateroom, there with a look of pure delight on their faces were the supply officer and his chief. My Division officer looked sad and would not look me in the eye.
I braced. Reported as ordered. After numerous questions the final question was asked - why had I not returned the seal for repair? I handed the Cheng the envelope and said: "I'm pretty sure even General Dynamics can't fix this one". The Cheng opened the envelope. Inside was a small plastic bag of rusted flakes and an official looking document with appropriate markings and verifications along with several pictures of the procedure as it happened, including when we opened the pump.
The Cheng looked at me. Looked at the Supply Officer and said: "Obviously there has been a misunderstanding" and handed the entire package to the Suppo.
Lesson learned: always finish the paperwork, even when it doesn't make any sense.
PO1 is feeling very studly - a nearly impossible task completed in short order and done well under time constraints, etc. QA/QC gives me the green light and the file is closed.
NOT so fast. Turns out I had not filed the requisite paperwork and returned the part for repair as required in regulations. Command was incensed - I was gonna cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars if I didn't return the part. The supply Chief was chortling with glee - he had finally found a regulation that I had broken that he could hang around my neck!
The Chief Engineer called me into his stateroom - doom was hanging aroung PO1 like an albatross - sailors flee at the sight of said miscreant....
As I made my way to the ladder that would take me to the Cheng's stateroom a young sailor in my division hands me a manila envelope. Curious, I look at the sealed envelope - on it, in properly coded alpha-numeric navy style it says: Seal, double-sided, style.... X, NSN X, Status - unrepairable/destroyed.
I walked into the Cheng's stateroom, there with a look of pure delight on their faces were the supply officer and his chief. My Division officer looked sad and would not look me in the eye.
I braced. Reported as ordered. After numerous questions the final question was asked - why had I not returned the seal for repair? I handed the Cheng the envelope and said: "I'm pretty sure even General Dynamics can't fix this one". The Cheng opened the envelope. Inside was a small plastic bag of rusted flakes and an official looking document with appropriate markings and verifications along with several pictures of the procedure as it happened, including when we opened the pump.
The Cheng looked at me. Looked at the Supply Officer and said: "Obviously there has been a misunderstanding" and handed the entire package to the Suppo.
Lesson learned: always finish the paperwork, even when it doesn't make any sense.
(2)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
It is unfortunate that much of this ends up in the homes of those who work at CIF.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google