Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

I received the following information from AAFES concerning the new ACU uniform.

“While Soldiers await the arrival of the new Army Combat Uniform, the Army and Air Force Exchange and Army G-1 Uniform Policy Section are receiving numerous complaints regarding commercial retailers offering look-alike uniforms that do not meet the Army’s specifications for quality and design.

“Some commercial outlets are aggressively appealing to Soldiers awaiting the arrival of the official ACU in January,” said Military Clothing Sales Store Army Program Manager Maj. Rachel Danielson.

AAFES has received complaints regarding commercial retailers delivering non-spec uniforms while representing themselves as an official MCSS. An Army Reserve staff sergeant who received a look-alike uniform advised of numerous problems. “There was no NSN number on the label,” wrote Staff Sgt. Grant Von Letkemann. “The top did not have a bellowed back, the arm pockets did not have the IR square or the covering tab, there was no pen pocket on the left sleeve, and the zippers were not as described in the PEO one sheet for the ACU. The bottoms did not have a draw string on the hip pocket; there were cinch straps on the sides, and no drawstring in the front. The flag was not the [correct] size … I looked at the invoice and saw that there was no AAFES logo or letterhead. The invoice had the title ‘Military Clothing Sales Store MCSS.’”

Army Regulation 670-1 states, “Soldiers purchasing uniforms, uniform items, or heraldic items from establishments other than the Army military clothing sales store must ensure the items are authorized for wear and conform to appropriate military specifications or are manufactured in accordance with the UQCP (Uniform Quality Control Program) or the heraldic quality control system.”

“Soldiers and commanders are responsible for ensuring they are purchasing and wearing uniforms that are authorized for wear,” said Maj. Danielson. “Unfortunately, a retailer falsely representing themselves as an AAFES MCSS can make it very difficult for troops to fulfill this responsibility.”

AAFES MCSS stores are operated only on military installations. All AAFES-operated MCSS stores are listed by installation under the “store locator” link at HYPERLINK "http://www.aafes.com/" www.aafes.com. Ted Wulff our PX manager is working with the suppliers to have all uniforms and associated items in the local Clothing Sales Store as soon as possible.

Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 20, 2005

	Troop Talk I received the following information from AAFES concerning the new ACU uniform. “While Soldiers await the arrival of the new Army Combat Uniform, the Army and Air Force Exchange and Army G-1 Uniform Policy Section are receiving numerous complaints regarding commercial retailers offering look-alike uniforms that do not meet the Army’s specifications for quality and design. “Some commercial outlets are aggressively appealing to Soldiers awaiting the arrival of the official ACU in January,” said Military Clothing Sales Store Army Program Manager Maj. Rachel Danielson. AAFES has received complaints regarding commercial retailers delivering non-spec uniforms while representing themselves as an official MCSS. An Army Reserve staff sergeant who received a look-alike uniform advised of numerous problems. “There was no NSN number on the label,” wrote Staff Sgt. Grant Von Letkemann. “The top did not have a bellowed back, the arm pockets did not have the IR square or the covering tab, there was no pen pocket on the left sleeve, and the zippers were not as described in the PEO one sheet for the ACU. The bottoms did not have a draw string on the hip pocket; there were cinch straps on the sides, and no drawstring in the front. The flag was not the [correct] size … I looked at the invoice and saw that there was no AAFES logo or letterhead. The invoice had the title ‘Military Clothing Sales Store MCSS.’” Army Regulation 670-1 states, “Soldiers purchasing uniforms, uniform items, or heraldic items from establishments other than the Army military clothing sales store must ensure the items are authorized for wear and conform to appropriate military specifications or are manufactured in accordance with the UQCP (Uniform Quality Control Program) or the heraldic quality control system.” “Soldiers and commanders are responsible for ensuring they are purchasing and wearing uniforms that are authorized for wear,” said Maj. Danielson. “Unfortunately, a retailer falsely representing themselves as an AAFES MCSS can make it very difficult for troops to fulfill this responsibility.” AAFES MCSS stores are operated only on military installations. All AAFES-operated MCSS stores are listed by installation under the “store locator” link at HYPERLINK "http://www.aafes.com/" www.aafes.com. Ted Wulff our PX manager is working with the suppliers to have all uniforms and associated items in the local Clothing Sales Store as soon as possible. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General