Why don't Reserve officers receive uniforms through the supply channels?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 01:25:20 -0500

I understand why officers on Active Duty pay for their uniforms. They get paid substantially more than their enlisted counterparts.

However, why do Reserve Officers (TPU/M-Day) also have to pay out of pocket?

Thinking of the Scorpion uniforms that are now released and the new Army PTs, buying a complete set of them could take up an entire MUTA 4's pay. And generally, having one set just won't work.

Does anyone know the justification behind this?

EDIT: I am fully aware of the clothing allowance offered to commissioned officers. I did receive mine, but I would say I spent all of it on buying 4 sets of ACUs, a set of ASUs, etc.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 3:44 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 03:44:47 -0500

Officers get a clothing allowance, enlisted do not.
It won't buy a full clothing bag, but it will put a dent in it.
See your UA and get it squared away.

Response by 1SG Norman Dashiell made Dec 16 at 2015 11:40 AM

1SG Norman Dashiell — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:40:04 -0500

You should recieve a clothing allowance to pay for the majority of the new uniforms, I suggest having a conversation with your S4

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 16 at 2015 12:08 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:08:07 -0500

Volunteer for deployment and you will have them issued. Otherwise it is part of the historical tradition that officers pay for their own. The uniform allowance is not intended to cover the entire cost.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 16 at 2015 4:44 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 16:44:42 -0500

I was AD and you have no inkling how efficient my wife was at spending money.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 11:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 23:13:31 -0500

It won't help you up front, but you can write the cost of uniforms off on your taxes. I even write my haircuts off. As to your original question, I would imagine it's a hold over from decades past. I've only received one clothing allowance in 6 years of commissioned service.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 11:31 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:31:30 -0500

As stated, it is part of the military tradition of the Army and extends well into the past to when officers actually raised their own units with their own money. Based on a one weekend a month and two week summer schedule, you won't go through uniforms nearly as quickly as the AD. A few sets of ACUs should last you quite a while. Of course that is until they change the uniform again...

Also, your pay for drill is substantially larger than that of all but the senior enlisted soldiers.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 9:46 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:46:55 -0500

Clothing authorizations for Reserve Component Soldiers used to be less than Active Duty Soldiers (refer to AR 700-84 Issue and Sale of Personal Clothing and Clothing and Individual Equipment Common Table of Allowances 50-900) I was mobilized for an extended period of time working in a G-3. Although my boots and uniforms were serviceable, I felt that I needed to hold myself to a higher standard. Clothing allowance barely put a dent in what I was spending to purchase uniforms, and sew on name tapes and badges. Though Class A's had not passed the mandatory wear out date I had to do a bit of "soul searching" and ask myself, "do I want to be the token Reserve Soldier that is different from my Active Component brethren?" Sometimes as Senior NCOs and Officers we need "invest in our careers".

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 7:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:37:27 -0500

Officers pay for EVERYTHING: meals, clothing, etc. It is just part of the package and a function of our higher pay rate. As a college graduate, the added costs also assume (admittedly incorrectly sometimes) that you have a job in a degreed position and are making a higher wage/salary in the civilian sector.

Good news: the current uniform doesn't reach suspense until 2019, so wear with pride and BPT buy three new sets of the next gen gear over the next few ATs :)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2017 2:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 14:14:08 -0400

Blame George Washington. He set the precedent that Officers would pay for their uniforms and meals.