Posted on Apr 9, 2019
Based on the current AR 670-1, are coyote brown backpacks authorized?
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Backstory: I recently switched from the Marine Corps to the Army, and I’m about to finish AIT. Since the day I came into the Army I’ve been carrying my books, notes, etc. in a solid coyote brown assault pack (USMC issued) with no problems until today when I was told that it was not authorized according to the regulation. I’ve read the section in the AR that specifically talks about it (Section 3-7 paragraph F) as well as any applicable memorandums and looks like my bag should be authorized for wear. Does anyone have any insight to help me better understand? I also attached a picture of the actual backpack that was deemed to be unathorized.
Enlisted
Army Regulations
DA Pam 670-1
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 10
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In my experience as a Reclass there is usually some over zealous instructor or Drill who is oblivious to the uniform regulation and making incorrect spot corrections on anything that looks out of place. One instructor told me that my Ranger tab didn't go on the upper pocket sleeve of my ACUs. A Drill Sergeant told me I wasn't authorized to wear my Ranger tab because I wasn't in a Ranger unit.
Unless you're personally vested in the item, just put it to the side for now, leave a small wake, and break it back out at your unit. Arguing over uniform items while you're a student is a fight almost never worth winning.
Unless you're personally vested in the item, just put it to the side for now, leave a small wake, and break it back out at your unit. Arguing over uniform items while you're a student is a fight almost never worth winning.
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SSG Brian G.
SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA - Not just Ranger related. Just about anytime you branch out ie Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, EIB, Ranger, etc. I had an NCO tell a young troop who had just completed Air Assault school that he could not mix the sewn on devices with the pin ons ie he could have have sewn on Airborne Wings with a Pin on Air Assault, that it needed to be all one or the other but not both.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG Brian G. actually, I'm pretty certain that is correct. I know it was correct at one point.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
SSG Brian G. SFC (Join to see) last I checked, you couldn't mix the sewn and pin-on badges. But I am guessing the situation is that the Soldier had sewn badges, except a brand new shiny dress Air Assault badge from graduation and was told he couldn't wear that.
I know we got dress wings when graduating Airborne School. I'm not clear on how long after graduation you can wear that. Certainly not longer than the rest of the day.
I know we got dress wings when graduating Airborne School. I'm not clear on how long after graduation you can wear that. Certainly not longer than the rest of the day.
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Easy there Devil Dawg....in your position as an AIT student, I wouldn’t get into a pi$$ing contest on the finer points of AR 670-1. Buy another bag....
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670-1 Sec 3-7 paragraph F sections 1&2
f. Bags, handbags, purses, and backpacks are authorized, but must adhere to the following criteria:
(1) Hand carried bags will be conservative and professional in appearance. Bags (to include civilian gym bags, civilian backpacks, or other similar civilian bags) must be carried only in the hand if they do not meet the criteria outlined in
paragraph 3–7f(2). DA Pam 670–1 provides additional descriptions and wear occasions for handbags.
(2) If Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black or match the camouflage pattern uniform being worn, and may not have any commercial logos. The contents of the bag may not be visible; therefore, see-through plastic or mesh bags are not authorized. Soldiers may carry authorized bags by hand, on one shoulder using a shoulder strap, or over both shoulders using both shoulder straps. Soldiers may not wear a shoulder bag in such a manner that the strap is draped diagonally across the body, with the bag resting on the hip opposite the shoulder holding the
strap.
Note where it says bags must adhere to to the criteria, and that the bag must either be black or match the camouflage pattern of the day. Yours is flat brown and does not match the pattern.
Who specifically was it that called you out on the discrepancy? My advice would be to seek out your Drill Instructor and seek their guidance. At worst you have to replace the bag with one that falls into specs.
f. Bags, handbags, purses, and backpacks are authorized, but must adhere to the following criteria:
(1) Hand carried bags will be conservative and professional in appearance. Bags (to include civilian gym bags, civilian backpacks, or other similar civilian bags) must be carried only in the hand if they do not meet the criteria outlined in
paragraph 3–7f(2). DA Pam 670–1 provides additional descriptions and wear occasions for handbags.
(2) If Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black or match the camouflage pattern uniform being worn, and may not have any commercial logos. The contents of the bag may not be visible; therefore, see-through plastic or mesh bags are not authorized. Soldiers may carry authorized bags by hand, on one shoulder using a shoulder strap, or over both shoulders using both shoulder straps. Soldiers may not wear a shoulder bag in such a manner that the strap is draped diagonally across the body, with the bag resting on the hip opposite the shoulder holding the
strap.
Note where it says bags must adhere to to the criteria, and that the bag must either be black or match the camouflage pattern of the day. Yours is flat brown and does not match the pattern.
Who specifically was it that called you out on the discrepancy? My advice would be to seek out your Drill Instructor and seek their guidance. At worst you have to replace the bag with one that falls into specs.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
Coyote brown does match the OCP uniform. It matches the boots, the tshirts, and the fleece caps.
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CPL (Join to see)
By match the camouflage pattern, I believe that means it must be one of the colors that’s within the camouflage, not that it has to be the actual pattern. It would be kinda silly that you can wear a totally black one but a color that is actually incorporated into the uniform would be a no-go.
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