Posted on Sep 16, 2014
1SG(P) 1st Sergeant
46.6K
34
26
3
3
0
Can anyone explain why you must turn in obsolete or "end of life "items on your cif records such as a wool scarf the black fleece when it's time to pcs/ets? Why must I pay for them if they're considered obsolete and they're missing?
Posted in these groups: Images PCSMilitary discharge 300x201 ETS/EAS74e0f2f8 Clothing
Avatar feed
Responses: 14
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
MSG Chief Intilligence Sergeant
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 The military re-purposes old out of date equipment to support many different endevors, from other nations' militarys, issue to civilians, you name it.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)
Comment
(0)
1SG(P) 1st Sergeant
1SG(P) (Join to see)
11 y
MSG, I figured they had fallen off of those missing KBR Trucks.lol
(0)
Reply
(0)
MSG Chief Intilligence Sergeant
MSG (Join to see)
11 y
:)
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
WO1 Network Circuit Engineer
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)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Aircraft Mechanic
0
0
0
In the Army National Guard, YOU CAN.....keep it.... in most cases... depending on what it is...
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Company First Sergeant
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)
Comment
(0)
PO1 Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist
PO1 (Join to see)
11 y
I like that answer! Accountability! What a concept! Now we know one of the reasons the Army promoted you 1SG (Join to see) !
(1)
Reply
(0)
1SG Company First Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
11 y
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)
Reply
(0)
PO1 Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist
PO1 (Join to see)
11 y
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.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SSG Armed Guard 2
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y
It is unfortunate that much of this ends up in the homes of those who work at CIF.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.