Personal "KIT"

[MAJOR_Baker]

How is a soldier outfitted with "Kit?" I am guessing that the uniforms, boots, etc, are all issued?

1. Can a soldier purchase his own boots etc?
2. What happens when the issued kit wears out? 3. Is there a wear requirement in months prior to turn in and reissue?
4. What about soldiers deployed to Afghanistan or elsewhere?
5. Are returning soldiers allowed to turn in their old uniforms for replacements?
6. Do officers follow the same rules?
7. Do female soldiers wear the same uniform? It seems most females have wider hips, does it matter?
8. What happens when a sensitive item is lost in the CDN military?

 

[Gunnar]

Not having been in the life, but having heard a lot of war stories, I only feel qualified to answer number 1 & 8.


1. In basic, you have the kit you were issued. In the field, our guys often wear other kit if they find it more effective. For example, for many years the Canadian Army had lousy rain gear. Some of our guys bought American gear, and used it in the field. Don‘t know if this is the official line, or simply the commonly understood NCM rules...wear and use what works. However, you are still required to account for the kit you were issued, regardless of whether or not you use it.

(An example might be our snipers in Afghanistan, the ones your guys loved so much...they bought British camo outfits, and as snipers, made their own ghillie suits anyway...but then, snipers are probably not a good example of the rest of the army...)

8: Jail. Depending on the severity of the offense (and sensitivity), could be stockade, could be Club Fed...although I think for things like a rain hat or something, they may simply fine you...but you don‘t ever want to lose a rifle.

 

[Doug VT]

How is a soldier outfitted with "Kit?" I am guessing that the uniforms, boots, etc, are all issued?

Pretty much everything that you need is issued.

1. Can a soldier purchase his own boots etc?

You can purchase you‘re own boots, provided that they are of an approved model. If you need special boots to fit orthotics or if you have other specific foot problems, special boots will be procured for you through the system which is in place. Usually a local purchase of something like High-Tec Magnums or Danner Acadia‘s.

2. What happens when the issued kit wears out?

If the kit is of a general nature, it can be exchanged at the base clothing stores....provided that it is in stock. Some special items however are a one time issue, and when it wears out you‘re sh-it out of luck.

3. Is there a wear requirement in months prior to turn in and reissue?

No, but you can‘t exchange some items unless they‘re completely un-serviceable. For example, faded fatigues are not considered un-serviceable.

4. What about soldiers deployed to Afghanistan or elsewhere?

If you‘re deployed, you are entitled to a few extra items. This is where you get a lot of the one time, theatre specific issues. You will get a n extra set of fatigues on top of the 3 you already have.

5. Are returning soldiers allowed to turn in their old uniforms for replacements?

Back to question 3, if it‘s still serviceable, it‘s still yours!

6. Do officers follow the same rules?

We all follow the same rules, supposed to anyway!

7. Do female soldiers wear the same uniform? It seems most females have wider hips, does it matter?

All our combat uniforms are unisex.

8. What happens when a sensitive item is lost in the CDN military?

You will not be sent to jail! If the loss was negligence on your behalf, there are many types of administrative action that could be taken against you.

 

[Gunnar]

Occasionally, I need to shut the he|| up. Oh well.

What are one-time issue items that if they wear out won‘t be replaced? I‘m curious.

 

[combat_medic]

Something like desert boots or jungle boots for example, get issued on operation (depending, of course, on the operation) and are then struck from your clothing docs. You can‘t exchange them, which sucks, but usually you don‘t have to hand them in, either at the end of tour, or if you leave the forces.

Again, there are always exceptions.

 

[McInnes]

Out of curiousity, what would happen if you "lost" your rifle, or had it stolen. They can‘t just let a rifle be out there somewhere...

 

[Michael Dorosh]

To answer Question 8, I suggest you contact

The Governor General‘s Foot Guards
Cartier Square Drill Hall
2 Queen Elizabeth Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

 

[E13E]

All of our kit is initally issued to us. Combat clothing can be exchanged except for next to skin items (t-shirts, socks etc. these you have to buy). Our dress uniforms are a one time issue and replacement is by purchasing. For the amount of times we wear them most people have the same ones throughout there service. We are given a clothing upkeep allowance each month to help with replacing kit. If you go on a tour you will get extra combat kit including next of skin item. The above is for Reg Force members.
The reservist can exchange all of there kit no matter what it is. They do not get the clothing upkeep allowence.

 

[Bzzliteyr]

E12E, guess what??

CANFORGEN 084/03 ADMHRMIL 031 241434Z JUN 03
CLOTHING UPKEEP ALLOWANCE CLASS C RESERVE FORCE MEMBERS
UNCLASSIFIED


REF: CBI 205.54


THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO INFORM MILITARY MEMBERS, MORE SPECIFICALLY CLASS C RESERVE FORCE MEMBERS, OF AN AMENDMENT TO REF.


PRIOR TO THE 1 JUL 03 AMENDMENT, DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS AMENDMENT, MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE FORCE SERVING ON A PERIOD OF CLASS C SERVICE GREATER THAN ONE YEAR HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO CLOTHING UPKEEP ALLOWANCE (CUA). THE MONTHLY PAYMENT OF CUA WAS INTENDED TO OFFSET THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR WORN OUT PERMANENT KIT CLOTHING - PRIMARILY OF THE DISTINCTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL UNIFORM (DEU). WITH THE REVISED RESERVE FORCE EMPLOYMENT FRAMEWORK, MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE FORCE WILL ONLY BE PLACED ON CLASS C SERVICE WHEN REQUIRED TO PERFORM DUTIES IN AN OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. AS SUCH, THEY WILL NORMALLY WEAR OPERATIONAL CLOTHING DURING THEIR PERIOD OF SERVICE AND SHOULD HAVE LITTLE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR OR PURCHASE DEU ITEMS


EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 03, RESERVE MEMBERS ON CLASS C RESERVE SERVICE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO FREE EXCHANGE OF DEU CLOTHING ITEMS, IN LIEU OF MONTHLY CUA ENTITLEMENT


IMPLEMENTATION: CCPS PROGRAMMING CHANGES ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR IMPLEMENTATION UNTIL 5 DEC 03. THEREFORE, A REPORT LISTING CLASS C MEMBERS WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF CUA WILL BE GENERATED BY DAPPP EFFECTIVE 30 JUN 03 AND PLACED IN RMDS. UNITS SHALL CEASE THE CUA EFFECTIVE 30 JUN 03 BASED ON THIS MESSAGE AUTHORITY

 

[portcullisguy]

This summer, our (reserve) infantry course at Meaford had the bad luck of having several weapons parts go "missing" over the course of the field practices and FTX‘s.

Some of the parts included bolts, a firing pin, and a bayonet.

Almost all of the parts were recovered (they had fallen into some crevice in a barrack box or what not). I think a bayonet may have been permanently lost. A gas regulator from a C9 spare barrel was not recovered as well.

The individuals who signed for the equipment had lengthy reports to write to their platoon commanders, and an investigation had to be commenced.

Although the instructor‘s threats had images of chain-gangs and military police searches in our heads, no such nonsense occurred. It was clear that the items went missing under training circumstances, and although it was serialized weapons kit, the MP‘s simply had to be kept in the loop and informed, and the appropriate measures taken to report everything up and down the chain of command.

I think the gas regulator soldier may have gotten a "charge" but I don‘t even think he got a fine.

However, I was told that had a complete weapon gone missing, the headaches would have multiplied, because, for SOME reason, civilian police would have had to been called, a search conducted at the last known grid, etc.

It makes sense, though. For the most part, our military bases are open to the public (at least, members of the public can drive around most of the roads, and in some cases drive through training areas when not gated off). If there‘s prohibited weapons lying around in the grass, and civilians have access to those areas, it‘s bad news for all kinds of reasons.

 

[Redeye]

GGFG = Good God, Forgot the Gustav
or Gustav Gone For Good.

Mr. Dorosh, when did that incident actually happen, or is it just a long-standing piece of Militia mythology?

 

[Agent-Orange]

I was talking to a Cpl with the Canadian Scottish Regiment A Coy (Victoria) and he mention that during a exercise last year with the Navy they lost two C9s off the zodiac boats into our great pacific ocean. In a case like this it purely accidental, would they have clearance divers come in and retrieve them? Some ugly bottom fish or wolf eel probably protecting it by its den now.