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Originally Posted by The Reaper
The life you are saving/making easier is your own, so I do not regret it, though I wish it was reimbursable.
TR
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I agree w/TR 100%. I can remember several years ago when one of the Team Sergeants in my company with black side experience wrote up a proposal for a few good styles of concealed carry hoslters. The unit then bought us the cheapest nylon Uncle Mikes holster for concealed carry they could find and virtually nobody used it because of its poor retention.
Since that time I have spared no expense to have the gear that I need, reguardless of whats on the SOR or issued at CIF/OCIE.
Let me give you a few examples of what expenses we're incurring for this upcoming deployment.
Civilian clothes: Guidance has been issued on the wear of nonstandard uniforms for the deployment but no plan to cover the cost has been addressed. Block leave starts tommorow for 2 weeks and the trip starts soon after that. No decision will be made in time to make a purchase and recieve delivery prior to deployment. The answer has been for guys to purchase out of pocket durable gear (5.11) for use. We wont be reimbursed for the expense, but need the gear, so I'll have it.
1911 upgrades: We recieved roughly 42 1911 pistols in the compnay, (my team got 7 of them). The teams submitted for purchase of upgrade parts as these pistols are in poor repair. Approximately $300 per pistol for parts (spring/pin upgrade kit, 18.5# recoil spring, Novak sights, extended safety, trigger upgrade, and a new barrel). This amount got shot down because "we're getting issued new.45s at some point in the future". Again, I choose to carry the .45 over the M9 so I'll make the necessary upgrades to make it reliable, even if the unit wont pay for it.
I'm also a guy that doesnt wait for the last minute to do things. I hate procrastination! When I see a good piece of gear that makes my job easier, more comfortable or more secure....I buy it. Many times, down the road the unit purchases it as well, but I figure why should I have to wait?
After about 11 years of this, I have compiled virtually a complete issue of CIF gear, most of my own team gear, and several comfort items that I regularly use. About the only thing I have issued is body armor, and a few 10th Group specific items (skis, pac boots, overwhites). I doubt I could apply a cost to what I've spent over that many years, but its been mainly for 2 reasons. First, because I never want to be in the posistion of needing something that I didnt have ; secondly, because in 19 years of service I've grown tired of dealing with CIF.
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Originally Posted by longrange1947
I retired in 90 after 23 years, mostly SF, and will say that I spent tons of money in the 70s while in 10th due to the lousy military gear for cold weather, skiing, and mountain climbing.
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LR, this is one place that I think we've finally gotten it right, (except for having support kids work in OCIE and issuing it out to thier buddies). Of course there is always newer, better, lighter gear coming out but 10th Group seems to have had a head start on a lot of this gear years before any of the other units in SF or the Army.
mp