From: Daniel D. Hammond, Sr (hammonddL@USWEST.NET)
Date: Sat Jan 29 2000 - 23:05:22 CST
Someone quoted Bill Nelson and then added to his comments
below:
Bill Nelson wrote that "police and military and others that
wear
uniforms define what that uniform is. The uniforms proclaim
their
identity..."
Aha, Bill, they are issued those uniforms, free of charge
and have a
uniform allowance which pays for the cleaning and
replacement of those
uniforms!
I wasn't go to get into this thread, but the information
above, at least in regards to the military is just not
accurate. It might be for some other uniformed
organizations, but not for the military. At least not
completely.
When someone enlists in the Army they are indeed given
their INITIAL issue of uniforms free of charge. And each
enlisted soldier does get an annual clothing allowance.
That clothing allowance is a bit over $100.00. Officers
receive a ONE TIME allowance of $250.00. My initial $250
didn't even pay for the Army Blue Uniform I MUST have as an
officer.
The annual allowance enlisted soldiers receive pays for any
new uniform items you need to get to replace ones that have
become unserviceable through use and training. I average
two to four new uniforms a year. Each set of BDUs, which I
cannot get just anywhere, costs about $80, including
patches, name tapes, Army tapes, and cap, and then I have to
pay to get the patches sewn on (at about a buck a piece).
That usually runs about $6 for each uniform. I cannot hand
sew my patches. The regulation covering uniforms prohibits
it.
I recently had to buy new Army Green Uniform. It seems that
the one I bought with my original $250 just doesn't fit
anymore after 15 years, and by the way, the set I had has
been replaced by a new Army Green shade number. I really
couldn't tell the difference, but the set I owned had
reached it's "Wear-out Date." That ran me a bit over
$180.00. It also seems that my overcoat had been replaced
by a "new, more attractive and practical" overcoat. There
went another almost $100.00.
I do receive mission specific equipment at each duty
station. This usually inlcudes the less than functional
Army rucksack, and the sleeping bag that's appropriate for
the unit I'm in at that station. Sometimes that includes
cold weather gear. Sometimes it includes desert uniforms.
I have to turn it all in each time I move, and I pay for
anything that's damaged and/or lost.
And I receive NO allowance for any cleaning of any
uniforms. If I am at an official function at I dribble
gravy on the front of my "dress blues," I pay for the dry
cleaning. If I have a parade, or ceremony coming up and I
need a set of BDUs starched and pressed, I pay for it.
There was a time when we had "Quartermaster Laundry" that
did some of that for a very reasonable price, but those
services have gone the way of the Jeep.
So to compare Boy Scout uniforming with the military in
terms of cost and care just isn't valid.
I happen to like the current uniform. I'm not completely
happy with it, but I can think of worse things. I currently
have two shirts, one pair each of shorts and pants. My son
likes the shirt. He usually wears blue jeans with it, but
sometimes wears his khaki cargos. I don't plan to buy him
pants until he slows down growing a bit. Right now he wears
dress pants once for Christmas and then needs new ones
before Easter. Once he wears the same pants two Christmases
in a row, I'll spring for Boy Scout pants or shorts.
Someone had commented in this thread that Boy Scout uniform
items are unsafe for cold weather wear. So are any and all
Army uniforms I have to buy myself. That's why we have cold
weather gear. And the Army has yet to adopt any footwear
that is practical for much more than walking. I have yet to
be issued a pair of boots that will keep my feet warm.
Just my nickel's worth.
YIS
Dan Hammond, Sr.
Olympia, WA
