BorisK said:
Thank you for starting this thread! I'm new (out of BMQ since April - taking courses at CFB Borden) and am trying to find out how to determine what I am entitled to in terms of kit. I respect that there is plenty of gear that can wait until I'm further along in my career, such as at my first posting, but I also know there exists quite a few pieces that would make my current situation more comfortable.
An example would be :
-Gerber
-Canteen drinking straw (I have a camelback but there are times I could make use of this simple piece of kit - if it still exists in the system)
-'Combat Scarf' I've never seen one but someone says I'm supposed to have one...
In short : I know lots of kit is out there, and I'm curious what bits I should/could be asking for - and could potential receive if inventory / approval warrants it.
Thanks again for your time. Regards
BorisK - see, herein lies one of the most common issues that eventually become sore points for supply techs and make other trades hate us. Let's try it this way:
Scales of Issue - Everyone joining the military have an "entitlement" to certain kit. Distinct Environmental Uniforms (DEU) have their own entitlement, or scale of issue. Upon enrolment one becomes entitled to that particular scale (Land / Air / Sea). After one year you are allowed to keep your initial issue and you then become entitled to points on the Logistic Unicorp site to use as replacement of this kit when needed.
There are hundreds of scales and one soldier can actually become entitled to several of these scales at one time (Cbt Engineers / SAR Techs / Medics just to name a few). Or, just one - your field kit (which, by the way, does entitle you to a scarf - but alas, they are not all they are cracked up to be). Most soldiers who are not trade qualified will not be entitled to anything save for their initial issue and your D01-301 (gives you your combats and boots and such). The so-called "gucci" kit will come later. Depending on your trade and/or tasking (attach posting over seas) you become entitled to more things. The caveat is that upon disengagement of said tasking, posting you become "un-entitled" and we want it back! There is a list of some kit that we allow you to hold on to, such as next-to-skin items.
That is scales and entitlements in a nutshell. Let's not confuse entitlements with your RSM's kitlist. RSMs want their troops to have the best money can buy and often times scales of issue are not taken into consideration when drafted. Nor is subject availability. Case in point, when we went from the green glad garbage bag rain jacket to the really cool cadpat gor-tex. It was originally ONLY an Air Force entitlement. Joe Infantry doesn't know this, sees it on a soldier (airman) and pees his pants in anticipation of getting this in the next 6 minutes. We explain this to 58 combat arms soldiers at the front counter, and within 2 hours we have 6 RSMs in the WO's office asking why we are such a$$holes. Ergo, hatred. And we did nothing. Back to my original statement - kitlists. Just because you have a kitlist doesn't make you entitled to an item. It's getting better - now, many unit RSMs and COs are sitting down with the Log O / RQMS and asking the right questions.
So, here is my advice to you and anyone else in this boat - If you are not QL3 qualified, I wouldn't even bother unless you are a PAT and special permissions made by the CoC are in place. When you get to your first posting, you will be told to get A,B C... No, it doesn't hurt to ask the supply tech, but accept the answer he or she gives you. If you are entitled and they have stocked-out, ask for a chit. This you can show to your CoC keeping you out of hot water with your Sgt.
We have no choice to abide by the rules and constraints put in place by the system. I assure you, we do not have a personal vendetta towards anyone.
Gerber - at your first posting.
Scarf - probably now if they have it.
Canteen drinking straw? If you are referring to a CamelBak attachment, you are not entitled to a CamelBak and won't be unless you go overseas. If you are referring to the gas mask attachment, just bring your gas mask in and request an exchange with the proper attachment.
Hopefully I didn't confuse you too much!