Why should I buy a set of pinks and greens?

2021-04-26T12:58:30-04:00

The mandatory wear-in date for the pinks and greens is October 2027. I'm being considered for promotion this year, and if I make it, will pin at the end of July 2022, and very likely seek retirement from the Army Reserve during FY 2026. I'm a TPU Reserve CW3. I can count on one hand the number of times I was required to wear my dress blues in the last 5 years. Based on that, why should I spend money on a uniform I might wear once in five years, and then never again?

Response by SSG Michael Noll made Apr 26 at 2021 1:04 PM

2021-04-26T13:04:45-04:00

Could always be buried in them, plus it's the coolest uniform the Army has IMHO.
Do understand your point. ACSU's were mandatory on my retirement date so never wore them either.
BDU brigade here ;-)

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 26 at 2021 1:10 PM

2021-04-26T13:10:55-04:00

I feel ya sir. I'll be retiring in slightly over a year. I might buy a top for decorative purposes, but there comes a point where enough is enough.

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Apr 26 at 2021 1:57 PM

2021-04-26T13:57:20-04:00

You will be out before the drop dead date to swap uniforms, save your money. When we switched from WWII/Korea brown to green, I had a lot of pressure to buy as I was being discharged. Two years later, I re-enlisted in the USAR in Germany. The Reserves were still authorized the "pinks and greens" from WWII but nobody was wearing them - I looked like a historic icon. Since then, I have upgraded more than once and am still wearing my "blues" for patriotic events and funerals. At 82, I'm thinking about pinks and greens - what a blast from the past. hahha

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Apr 26 at 2021 2:05 PM

2021-04-26T14:05:28-04:00

I know it sucks. The Marines changed the order for all SNCO's to have dress white trousers. We would only wear them in the summer which means we would only wear them if we had an early MC ball.. It just so happened that my friend was KIA and we all wore dress blues to the funeral. I was the only SNCO in blue trousers because I didn't see a need to buy white ones. I felt like shi******

Plus maybe the Army should stop changing uniforms every few years. I am sure everyone has a house full of obsolete uniforms.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 2:56 PM

2021-04-26T14:56:36-04:00

Since you'll be retired long before the mandatory wear date, I see no need for you to purchase them. I k or I won't be buying a set as I'll be retired before '27. Even if I pin MSG and do the High 3, I'll still be retired before '27.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 26 at 2021 3:12 PM

2021-04-26T15:12:52-04:00

Why bother, its not like they are giving the things away. You retire before the wear out date so I would save the money on it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 3:35 PM

2021-04-26T15:35:21-04:00

It depends on you and what you want to do. I have a very similar retirement date although I’m active. As a leader, it’s expected that we would adopt the new uniform. I’ve worn a dress uniform once in at least 8 years for anything other than an official photo so I can relate. I do plan on picking up a set when they are available. If we were enlisted the decision would be much easier as that clothing allowance is quite helpful and certainly missed. Bottom line, no one will punish you for it getting them but some folks may give ya some crap for it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 3:45 PM

2021-04-26T15:45:47-04:00

Aren't the blues always going to be considered formal wear going forward. The AGSU was added. The ASU was not replaced.

I'm under the impression in the USAR, unless we go to the AGSU as Battle Assembly office wear, and if a commander doesn't require an AGSU at a formal event, then so long as we have our ASU for said formal events, and have our OCP then we as reservists are covered.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 26 at 2021 5:41 PM

2021-04-26T17:41:25-04:00

As long is there is no DA Photo required I would not be in a rush.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 6:11 PM

2021-04-26T18:11:38-04:00

If photos were part of boards I would say yes. They are not and you will likely never wear them in the reserves.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 6:56 PM

2021-04-26T18:56:34-04:00

It's up to sir, they look great and feel great, even though they aren't required yet, I bought them since probably when they do become the service uniforms and the Dress blues become the ABU's. They are cheap currently...

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Apr 26 at 2021 8:56 PM

2021-04-26T20:56:57-04:00

Some retirees get involved in local VFW & Am Legion activities, to include Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades, where members are encouraged to march in uniform, and they appreciate it a lot.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2021 4:18 AM

2021-04-27T04:18:08-04:00

They’re ugly, expensive and optional. If you’re asking why, the answer is, “you shouldn’t”.

Response by SFC Marshal Gleason made Apr 27 at 2021 8:32 AM

2021-04-27T08:32:00-04:00

If you're not required to have it before you're retirement, don't. But, if you're asking this question, you know what a leader would already.

Response by SFC Marshal Gleason made Jun 4 at 2021 6:48 PM

2021-06-04T18:48:35-04:00

Wtf do you want? You ask a stupid question and you already know what you're going to do and then talk shit to the only person who's waste their time to play your stupid game. You bitch about how many times you wore wearing formals in the past five years, then you bitch about spending money on something you only wear one, you bitch about leading by example, you bitch about doing stupid shit. Dude, you can't retire early can you? My first response was don't, what more do you want. It's not that hard of a decision, do or don't, but it ain't going to make you a better leader either way. You only have six yours left.