posted June 03, 2006 12:02 AM              

Father upset that Army son must buy own uniform

(KMOV) - Americans everywhere paused to honor fallen heroes Monday.

But a father in Wright City is questioning the Army's treatment of those who put their lives on the line for our country.

Bob Simmons wears a shirt that proudly shows his son defends freedom.

Jebadiah, 19, serves in the army and will soon be headed to Bosnia, minus a little extra of his spending money.

"About a week and a half two weeks ago he found out the army’s changing over to the new uniforms and they're going to make them buy them themselves and I was astounded," said Simmons.

The Army changed to new, lighter uniforms in April.

The cost for the uniforms is about $200.

Workers at Uncle Sam's, which sells the uniforms, say other solders have lamented about paying for their uniforms as well.

Bob Simmons even contacted various elected officials about the matter.

"The contacts to Senator Bond and Rep. Hulshof, although its a holiday weekend and I understand people go out of town, but I haven’t heard from either of them," said Simmons.

On this Memorial Day Bob Simmons says he can’t help but recall his own days in the Army. He was drafted in 1970 during the Vietnam War and says he did not have to pay for his own uniform.

And says this father, if he didn't have to, why should his son?

"These people are doing a great job. They’re making a big sacrifice and now the Army wants to charge them for their uniform. Next they'll charge them for bullets and their food. Its unbelievable," Simmons added.

Despite the uniform controversy, service to our country runs in that family.

Simmons has another son in the process of enlisting in the Army.

posted June 03, 2006 12:38 AM              

Love and Respect for ALL. ...

posted June 03, 2006 06:44 AM              

"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation"

-Khalil Gibran

posted June 05, 2006 03:02 PM            

Proxie is right:

"Now, if you want something that's truly ridiculous: The soldiers who have been charged for damage to or loss of issue items...when those items were damaged or lost when the soldiers were attacked."

If they are out in the field and lose equipment (such as a canteen, clip, etc..) they have to pay for it out of pocket.

You should see how freaked out the military gets when they turn in their ammunition after the end of a weapons qualification and one is missing. Basically, it is lock down and they will go so far as searching the Soldiers barracks and even homes to find the ammunition.

I also suggest that before someone posts a thread like this they actually do their research and make sure the person b1tching about the allowance isn't being used to once again, promote the anti-military sentiment.

Personally, I think that the young recruit blew his allowance on something else, then came up short when the regulations changed. They also had a certain amount of time to purchase the new uniforms. Funny, my Leo was able to purchase his 3 sets, in time - and while be TDY in AZ and Germany, yet my lazy ex fiance spent his clothing allowance on fun stuff and came up short on the new uni's.

posted June 05, 2006 05:36 PM            

The Soldiers were required to have only ONE ACU (or Army Combat Uniform) by a certain date instead of the mandatory 3 BDU (Battle Dress Uniforms).

Now they Army is also going to phase out those ugly green dress uniforms and white uniforms for the hot looking blue ones.

HomeTimeline of Uniform HistoryResources

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Army Streamlines Service Uniforms to One Blue Army Service Uniform
Decision Reflects Simplicity, Utility, Quality and Tradition

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Army service uniforms will be streamlined to one blue Army Service Uniform, the Army announced today.

“World-class Soldiers deserve a simplified, quality uniform. The blue Army Service Uniform is a traditional uniform that is consistent with the Army’s most honored traditions,” said Sgt. Maj. Of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.

“We have all of these variations of uniforms – green, blue and white,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. “It makes sense for us to go to one traditional uniform that is really sharp and high quality and which Soldiers will be very proud to wear. And that’s what we’ve done by adopting this blue Army Service Uniform that reflects simplicity, quality, utility and tradition.”

Many Soldiers already own an Army blue uniform (now to be called the Army Service Uniform) and may continue to wear it. Improvements will be made to the fabric and fit. Reduction of the number of uniforms will reduce the burden on Soldiers for purchases and alteration cost.

Introduction in the Army Military Clothing Sales Stores should begin in fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007. Introduction in the Clothing Bag should begin first quarter 2009. The Mandatory Possession Date is expected to be fourth quarter fiscal year 2011.

A wear-out date for the Army Green Class A and White dress uniforms will be determined at a later date.

The consolidation of Army service uniforms is part of a streamlining process. In 2004, the Army reduced the number of battle dress uniforms from three to one when it adopted the Army Combat Uniform in place of the Woodland Green Battle Dress Uniform (winter and summer versions) and the Desert Combat Uniform. That uniform consolidation has been a resounding success in terms of Soldier acceptance and reducing the variety of combat uniforms with which they must deal.

Army Blue as a uniform color traces its origins back to the National Blue and was first worn by Soldiers in the Continental Army of 1779.

Besides tradition, the Army Service Uniform reflects utility, simplicity and quality.

In utility, the blue Army Service Uniform provides a basic set of components that allow Soldiers to dress from the lowest end to the highest end of service uniforms with little variation required.

In simplicity, the blue Army Service Uniform eliminates the need for numerous sets of green Class A uniforms, service blue uniforms and, for some, Army white mess uniforms (and tunics, for women). Streamlining various service uniforms into one Army Service Uniform reduces the burden on Soldiers in the same manner that the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) did for the field utility uniform.

In quality, the blue Army Service Uniform is made of a durable material that is suitable for daily use without special care.

Information about the Army Service Uniform and its Composition is Available at the ARNEWS Homepage.

posted June 05, 2006 06:19 PM              

*drools over blues*