Why does the Army uniform still have these giant cargo pockets? Who uses their cargo pockets, and for what reason?

I used my cargo pockets many a time while on mission. But, aside from the headgear, as mentioned by MSG (Join to see) or specific training environment requirements (canteen in cargo pocket for a few different schools), never EVER had anything in them suckers in garrison.

Edit: Due to dat fingers, I originally erroneously tagged LTC Jason Mackay re:hat in cargo pocket. Updated to properly attribute credit.

The purpose of the cargo pockets was to break down multiple days of MREs in case you had to ditch gear. This is how it was done explained to me. Also the xtra socks.

I use my cargo pockets to place my cover in when I need to keep it on me and still be hands free. I've never liked tucking it in the small of my back. Tried that a few times. Not a fan.

During my 3 deployments, those cargo pockets got used almost everyday. May not see it in garrison, but they do have a purpose.

Field and Line Soldiers know.

The Army Medics used those pockets to carry atropine, needles, pills, band aids, etc. We were NON-combatants and didn't carry weapons because our Medical supply bags weighed up to 70 POUNDS. We could use any thing within reach to defend ourselves & our patients. The DRAFTED CONCIENSUS OBJECTORS in my tent threw rocks. The FEMALE "WACS" had to wear "HOSE" NYLONS" Stockings" in a combat zone. So you think cargo pants are stupid???????

Well as a life long Geunr, I always used them. In the field the right one held ma, protractor and a fine dry marker. The left held my next meal, if I was lucky and extra equipment.

I have often used my cargo pockets.

Warning Sarcasm Intended: Cargo Pockets are functional both in garrison and field environments. The mentality that a uniform should always be pressed is detrimental to the utility of a uniform designed for functionality over appearance. In garrison an "Office Worker" may not have the requirement for function over appearance, but other MOS duties require the functionality. Maybe the solution is Class B for all Office Workers, and OCPs and Coveralls for the rest of the military work force.

Just one person’s opinion. If the ACU (Army Combat Uniform), as well, pressed, you shouldn’t be wearing it. The Army and all the other services have a large selection of uniforms. If you’re an auto mechanic, a grunt going on a 20-mile march, A tank crew member, or any other job where you going to get sweaty, and dirty because that’s part of the job. That’s what the ACU is for. If your job is in an office, standing guard duty, or any of the other many important tasks that don’t require the dirt, the grind, the strategy sweaty part of the job then where one of the other uniforms. That was way it was back in the day and it made sense. There was a time when you couldn’t wear fatigues off base. Then sometime around the beginning of the Gulf War’s they decided everybody should wear ACU.
One of the funniest pictures I ever saw was that general walking along with Pres. Trump, everybody in suits and ties, except for him in his ACU. The ACU has a place but isn’t the uniform for every occasion. I’d like to see us go back to what I think of as common-sense uniform of the day/ job.

I keep my PC and shades in my right cargo pocket. They both have come in handy though for random occasions. I wouldn’t want a new uniform. I’m okay with have three, APFU, ACU and AGSU.

The Vietnam "Jungle Fatigues" or whatever they were named had cargo pockets and they were used all the time when away from a fire base. When in the field one never knew when we would be resupplied so we carried everything possible just to survive let alone "Comfort" items. When space allowed the large pockets were a good place to accumulate items found alone the way just in case it was needed later.

Negative, keep cargo pockets on Battle Dress Uniforms, ACU's or whatever name they use these days... They are needed in combat scenarios and real deal combat. JMO...

Unfortunately, it comes down to your chain of command at the Battalion level. In all the units I was stationed, it was a NO GO, sighting that it was against the military appearance. Same happened with the tops. I used my left top pocket for my notebook and of course the pen had its own pocket there as well.
In the field it was a little relaxed but CSM's still corrected you. When the 20 year war was going on, again relaxed as the CSM's were focused on the reflective belts being worn. I hated the pocket on the upper sleeves. So hard to access when wearing your gear.
The ACU's use of pockets design were a bit better. The velcro strips were....a bad choice. Bacon strips anyone??
In Afghanistan out on missions, I kept my patrol cap in my right cargo pocket since wearing the gear. On the different bases going into buildings, I stored it in the back of pants bill down, pulled top over it. Appearance is a must.

As a 70's -80's era Coastie, there were many times I wished I had pockets like that many times. Not for ammo or rations, but as an ET, I frequently was climbing down or jumping to small boats, wriggling my way up the inside of a mast with snag points every few feet, or scaling a tower, usually with multiple hand tools and a meter. It would have been far less awkward to be able to carry them in pockets instead of in a pouch on my belt.

From the pictures I have seen, it looks like the current work uniform is some form of ODU now, but when I started it was Seafarer Bell Bottoms and Chambray shirt. By the time I got out they had transitioned to a work uniform akin to a set of Dickies in Navy Blue.

I definitely used those cargo pockets. In Basic, we were required to carry a full canteen of water in the ammo pocket of our leg. I also carried a notebook and a pen in a shirt cargo pocket. It was also a good place to stow my cover when under regulations I was required to remove it. In combat situations, those cargo pockets can store additional ammo and some supplies. The uniform is about utility, not decoration.

Why do they still have 3 covers??

Just to clarify, I probably have more deployments, field time, Hohenfels, Graf, 1ID, 2nd ID Korea, 3rd Id, 10th Mtn, 1 AD, Somalia, Honduras, Cuba, Iraq, etc., than most of you combined. A common theme here is that officers seem to use these pockets more in garrison than anyone else. It’s likely because senior NCOs keep a very tidy and crispy look in garrison and expect their subordinates to do the same. A lot of officers, mostly senior officers not so much. Maybe I should have asked if there should be a different type or field/deployment uniform? I understand the potential use of the pockets, but for a 1SG to be walking around with bulging pockets is unacceptable and frowned upon. No one is gonna tell a Col or LTC the he/she is walking around HQ looking like a Private in basic training. Since I was questioned as a senior NCO, I retorted with the truth.

Just an aside from your question, but I had a SSG Gaddy as part of my Airborne cadre at jump school in early 1981. Any possible relation?

I hate to ask, MSG Darren Gaddy, but how can a senior NCO with 26+ years in service NOT understand how indispensable the cargo pockets on the ACUs/OCPs/DCUs/BDUs truly are?

When I removed my hat, it went immediately in my right-hand cargo pocket. In garrison, I carried a notebook and writing utensil in my left cargo pocket. When mobile phones came out, I carried mine in the right-hand cargo pocket, to keep from sitting on it of bending it.

Did you ever go to the field? In the field, the cargo pockets only grow in importance. Left pocket - trash pocket... Litter discipline. Cargo pockets are great for toting pocket survival kit items, field kit, spare magazines, batteries, and MRE components. When passing through a field kitchen chow line, where else are you going to stow the dining utensils, milk cartons, fruit, pre-packaged desserts, etc.? There sure isn't enough room on that flimsy tray.

Even as a retiree and DoD employee, I prefer to wear trousers with functional cargo pockets.