Posted on Dec 16, 2015
CPT Current Operations Officer (J33)
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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.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 9
LTC John Shaw
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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.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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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.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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>1 y
Agreed I have been commissioned for 12 years and received a clothing allowance ONCE while at BOLC. They nickel and dime reserve/guard officers to death. Seems like every month they are wanting you to donate to something. And if funding is tight, Lodging in Kind is cut for Officers and you have to pay for a hotel room during BA. You pay for your meals during BA. And you are forced to join the officer's association. (they tell you it's not mandatory, but if you don't join it is reflected on your OER) Then every couple of years when they change uniforms you are looking hundreds of dollars to replace everything.
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MAJ Contracting Officer
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>1 y
Officer's only get an initial clothing allowance that doesn't even cover the cost of ASU's let alone the Combat uniforms, boots, etc.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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CW3 Arthur Harrell it is a one time allowance, but there are exceptions. Personnel reporting to an extended period of active duty orders can get an additional clothing allowance so long as they have not received one in (going by memory here) the past five years. Once downrange, officers can order field uniform items through KYLOC just like enlisted can to replace items worn out by use.
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CW2 Timothy Slaght
CW2 Timothy Slaght
>1 y
Reserve officers are entitled to a 1 time clothing allowance ($350 I think) upon commissioning and completing so many BAs or active days.
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MAJ Facilities Operations Supervisor
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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.
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