Possible CF ban on gucci kit?

[punk_newbie]

I was looking through Soldier Systems today and found this article.

Canadian Army Prohibits Purchase of Commercial Kit

On Monday, LGEN A.B. LESLIE, Chief of the Land Staff for Canada, released a message entitled, “Prohibition on Acquisition of Soldier Personal Equipment, Clothing and Camp Stores.” The point of the message was to remind units that they cannot use Operations and Maintenance monies to procure Soldier Systems items. Specifically, guidance was issued that, “THE LF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT REMAIN WORLD CLASS. AS SUCH LOCAL PURCHASE OF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT WITH O AND M FUNDS BY LF UNITS IS PROHIBITED.” The list of equipment units CANNOT use O&M to purchase is pretty extensive and includes basically everything that is covered on SSD. What killjoys. From the message:

A. PERSONAL CLOTHING. OCULAR PROTECTION, HELMETS, HELMET SUSPENSION AND RETENTION SYSTEMS, HEADWEAR, FOOTWEAR, GLOVES, JACKETS, NEXT TO SKIN CLOTHING TO INCLUDE SHIRTS, PANTS, SOCKS AND UNDERGARMENTS

B. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT. LOAD CARRIAGE SYSTEMS, HYDRATION OR WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS, AMMUNITION OR WEAPON SLINGS / BANDOLIERS, KNIVES, MULTITOOLS, FLASHLIGHTS, HEADLAMPS, ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT FOR PERSONAL WEAPONS AND PISTOL HOLSTERS

C. CAMP STORES. TENTAGE, COTS, SLEEPING SYSTEMS, AIR MATRESSES OR SLEEPING PADS, GENERATORS / HEATERS OR THEIR ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT, STOVES, POWER DISTIRBUTION, LIGHTING KITS AND VCP KITS

Truthfully, our favorite quote from the entire message is, “THE LF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT REMAIN WORLD CLASS.” Really, you can’t make this stuff up. Despite the assertion of world class kit, a previously released message from LGEN Leslie authorizes Canadian Soldiers to privately purchase and use equipment from the following sources:

A. ARKTIS
B. BLACKHAWK
C. EAGLE
D. FELLFAB
E. HIGHSPEED GEAR
F. PACIFIC SAFETY PRODUCTS
G. TACTICAL TAILOR
H. SORD
I. COTMS

It must be noted that products from the manufacturers on this list include makers of trials kit from the Modular Fighting Rig program which should finally see theater this August. So I guess that the current “world class” kit will be replaced by even more world class once they make a decision on MFR. Until then, if you are a Canadian Soldier, if you want equipment that outclasses world class, you are going to have to buy it yourself.

http://soldiersystems.net/2010/06/09...ommercial-kit/


The article seems to have cut and pasted to possibly make it look worse than it actually does. The A items seem next to impossible to check, while some things such as the helmet suspension system seems like a dumb thing to ding a soldier for. The B items some seem reasonable (water purification system that is not up to proper specs or improper eye wear) while other such as a better sling system, flashlight, multitool, etc again seem like a dumb thing to ding a soldier for. The C items all seem like proper things to have banned.

So does anyone have the full memo or a translation as to what exactly this means?

[Assault Pioneer]

thats not fair, CF gear is crappy and some unit's have to share their gear...

not cool

[The Chad]

*Minor correction, we have adequate gear and in some cases (Comms), the best in the world*

As a managment employee for a LARGE corporation, I agree with them. You can't ensure the safety of your personnel if you allow them to use their own equipment. The CF is paying out enough to retired folks due to injuries while using approved equipment, let alone buying something you thought was ligit.

I can sell you a Level 3 ballistic plate, sure it's real, and it's integrity is wonderful...

[Danke]

That's what you get with someone with a girl's name in charge.

Oh yeah and he's arty, who needs gear when you've got a truck to dump your shit in?

[Volko]

This beyond pathetic.

[Roguer]

i can understand it to a point. There are some guys who walk around with nothing but personally issued gear. When i was overseas i used my own rig, bought a set of boots, extra tan t shirts and some gloves. All my stuff was approved by my TSM.

But this is probably to try to get some control over how far guys go when buyin their own gear.

[The Chad]

Pretty sure you can use anything bought from CAN/EX.

[rc_p120]

Maybe this isn't so bad. I'm not in the military. But the article seems pretty clear when it says no purchasing of commercial equipment with Operations and Maintenance monies. It doesn't say anything about personal/private purchases. Like I said, I'm not in the CF, that is just my interpretation of the document.

[kullwarrior]

Honestly, I think footwear should be the number one stuff that one should be allow to purchase your own. Armours, not so much. If you got shot and injured CF is responsible, if its your own, they can say you got the crappy stuff that's why. As for Hydration, don't get why they want to standardize it.

[H1TMAN]

The message you got on the link is a partial cut and paste of CANDLANDGEN 028/10. The CANDLANGEN does not prohibit soldiers from purchasing gucci kit, its prohibits the unit they work at to purchase gucci kits with funds that are intented for training. There is no big story here, soldiers can still purchase gucci kit with there own money.

Here is the complete message since soldier systems only posted a portion of it.

RAAUZYUW RCCPJAW4006 1581431-UUUU--RCEVBGA.
ZNR UUUUU ZOC
R 071330Z JUN 10
FM NDHQ CLS OTTAWA
TO CANLANDGEN
BT
UNCLAS CLS 028/10
SIC NNA
CANLANDGEN 022/10 CLS 028/10
SUBJ: PROHIBITION ON ACQUISITION OF SOLDIER PERSONAL EQUIPMENT,
CLOTHING AND CAMP STORES
REF: CFSM VOL 3
1. THE AIM OF THIS CANLANDGEN IS TO RE-EDUCATE THE ARMY ON WHAT
SPECIFIC TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING ARE PROHIBITED FROM LOCAL
PURCHASE
2. BEFORE EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING ARE PROVIDED TO SOLDIERS IT
UNDERGOES RIGOUROUS EVALUATION AND TESTING. THE TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS OF ARMY EQUIPMENT FAR EXCEEDS INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND
ARE PROVEN TO SURVIVE IN A MODERN BATTLEFIELD. IN THE VAST MAJORITY
OF CASES COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF CLOTHING / PERSONAL EQUIPMENT FROM
CATALOGUES AND ON-LINE DISTRIBUTORS DO NOT MEET THE EXCEPTIONAL
REQUIRMENTS OF THE ARMY. DLR / COS LAND STRAT HAS CLS AUTHORITY FOR




PAGE 2 RCCPJAW4006 UNCLAS
IDENTIFYING STANDARDS
3. IN THE CURRENT FISCAL ENVIRONMENT, O AND M FUNDS REMAIN THE
PRIMARY RESOURCE TO FACILITATE MANDATED TRAINING WITHIN ARMY UNITS.
THESE RESOURCES ARE SCARCE AND MUST BE UTILIZED TO PROVIDE THE MOST
EFFECTIVE INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE TRG. THE LF CLOTHING AND
EQUIPMENT REMAIN WORLD CLASS. AS SUCH, LOCAL PURCHASE OF CLOTHING
AND EQUIPMENT WITH O AND M FUNDS BY LF UNITS IS PROHIBITED. THIS
PROHIBITION INCL:
A. PERSONAL CLOTHING. OCULAR PROTECTION, HELMETS, HELMET
SUSPENSION AND RETENTION SYSTEMS, HEADWEAR, FOOTWEAR, GLOVES,
JACKETS, NEXT TO SKIN CLOTHING TO INCLUDE SHIRTS, PANTS, SOCKS AND
UNDERGARMENTS
B. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT. LOAD CARRIAGE SYSTEMS, HYDRATION OR
WATER
PURIFICATION SYSTEMS, AMMUNITION OR WEAPON SLINGS / BANDOLIERS,
KNIVES, MULTITOOLS, FLASHLIGHTS, HEADLAMPS, ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT FOR
PERSONAL WEAPONS AND PISTOL HOLSTERS
C. CAMP STORES. TENTAGE, COTS, SLEEPING SYSTEMS, AIR MATRESSES OR
SLEEPING PADS, GENERATORS / HEATERS OR THEIR ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT,
STOVES, POWER DISTIRBUTION, LIGHTING KITS AND VCP KITS

4. DEVIATIONS FROM THIS MESSAGE ARE A COMMAND ISSUE. EXCEPTIONS
SHALL BE STAFFED FROM AREA COMD TO CLS. INDIVIDUALS WHO IGNORE THIS
DRECTION AND PROCEED WITH ACQUISITIONS WITHOUT CLS AUTHORITY WILL
BE SUBJECT TO THE NDA. LFC COMPT WILL BE REVIEWING PURCHASE
AGREEMENTS TO FLAG NON-COMPLIANCE. AUTHORITIES OUTLINED HEREIN
PERTAIN TO CONTRACTING AUTHORITY, NOT FINANCIAL AUTHORITY, THAT IS
UNENCUMBERED FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE
5. PRIORITY OF USE OF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE ESTB BY THE
ARMY G3 AND COORDINATED BY DLSS 3-4. ALL REQUESTS FOR EQUIPMENT
ACQUISITION THAT FALL UNDER THIS CANLANDGEN ARE TO BE FORWARDED
THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND TO DLSS 3-4
6. LFA COMDS ARE TO SEND REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION TO THE CLS
EXPLAINING WHY A PARTICULAR PURCHASE IS NECESSARY
7. THE OPI FOR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION IS DLSS 3-4 MAJ
DONALDSON, 819-997-6351
END OF ENGLISH TEXT / VERSION FRANCAISE SUIT

OBJ: INTERDICTION D ACHETER DE L EQUIPEMENT PERSONNEL, DES
VETEMENTS ET DU MATERIEL DE CAMP A L INTENTION DES MILITAIRES
REF : MAFC, VOL 3

1. LE PRESENT CANLANDGEN A POUR BUT DE RAPPELER A L ARMEE DE TERRE
LES TYPES SPECIFIQUES D EQUIPEMENT ET DE VETEMENTS DONT L ACHAT SUR
PLACE EST INTERDIT

2. AVANT QUE L EQUIPEMENT ET LES VETEMENTS SOIENT FOURNIS AUX
SOLDATS, CEUX-CI SONT SOUMIS A DES EVALUATIONS ET A DES ESSAIS
RIGOUREUX. LES PARTICULARITES TECHNIQUES DE L EQUIPEMENT DE L ARMEE
DE TERRE SONT BIEN SUPERIEURES AUX NORMES DE L INDUSTRIE, ET LA
DURABILITE DE CES ARTICLES DANS UN CHAMP DE BATAILLE MODERNE A ETE
DEMONTREE. DANS LA PLUPART DES CAS, LES VETEMENTS/L EQUIPEMENT
INDIVIDUELS COMMERCIAUX STANDARD DES CATALOGUES ET DES DISTRIBUTEURS
EN LIGNE NE REPONDENT PAS AUX EXIGENCES EXCEPTIONNELLES DE L ARMEE
DE TERRE. LE DBRT/CEM STRAT (T) POSSEDE L AUTORITE DU CEMAT
CONCERNANT LA DETERMINATION DES NORMES

3. DANS LE CONTEXTE FINANCIER ACTUEL, LES FONDS D E ET M DEMEURENT
LES RESSOURCES PRINCIPALES POUR CONTRIBUER A L INSTRUCTION PRESCRITE
AU SEIN DES UNITES DE L ARMEE DE TERRE. CES RESSOURCES SONT LIMITEES
ET DOIVENT ETRE UTILISEES DE FACON A FOURNIR LES INSTR INDIVIDUELLE
ET COLLECTIVE LES PLUS EFFICACES. LES VETEMENTS ET L EQUIMENT DE LA
FT DEMEURENT DE CLASSE MONDIALE. L ACHAT SUR PLACE DE VETEMENTS ET D
EQUIPEMENT AU MOYEN DES FONDS D E ET M EST DONC INTERDITE AUX UNITES
DE LA FT. CETTE INTERDICTION S APPLIQUE A CE QUI SUIT :

A. VETEMENTS. PROTECTEURS OCULAIRES, CASQUES, SYSTEMES DE
SUSPENSION ET DE MAINTIEN DE CASQUES, COUVRE-CHEFS, CHAUSSURES ET
BOTTES, GANTS, VESTES ET VETEMENTS EN CONTACT DIRECT AVEC LA PEAU,
CE QUI COMPREND CHEMISES, PANTALONS, CHAUSSETTES ET SOUS-VETEMENTS

B. EQUIPEMENT INDIVIDUEL. SYSTEMES DE TRANSPORT DE CHARGE, SYSTEMES
D HYDRATATION OU DE PURIFICATION D EAU, MUNITIONS OU
BRETELLES/BANDOULIERES POUR ARMES, COUTEAUX, OUTILS POLYVALENTS,
LAMPES DE POCHE, LAMPES FRONTALES, EQUIPEMENT AUXILIAIRE POUR ARMES
PERSONNELLES ET ETUIS POUR PISTOLETS

C. MATERIEL DE CAMP. TENTES, LITS PLIANTS, SYSTEMES DE COUCHAGE,
MATELAS PNEUMATIQUES OU PORTABLES, GENERATRICES/APPAREILS DE
CHAUFFAGE OU LEUR EQUIPEMENT AUXILIAIRE, RECHAUDS, DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIQUE, NECESSAIRES D ECLAIRAGE ET TROUSSES DE PREMIERS SOINS

4. LES DEROGATIONS AU PRESENT MESSAGE SONT DES QUESTIONS RELEVANT
DU COMMANDEMENT. LES EXCEPTIONS DOIVENT ETRE SIGNALEES PAR LE CMDT
DU SECTEUR AU CEMAT. LES PERSONNES QUI FONT FI DE LA PRESENTE
DIRECTIVE ET QUI EFFECTUENT L ACQUISITION SANS L AUTORISATION DU
CEMAT SERONT ASSUJETTIES A LA LDN. LE CONTR CFT EXAMINERA LES
CONVENTIONS D ACHAT A LA RECHERCHE D INOBSERVATION. LES AUTORITES
INDIQUEES DANS LE PRESENT DOCUMENT AGISSENT A TITRE D AUTORITE
CONTRACTANTE ET NON EN TANT QU ADMINISTRATEUR FINANCIER, C
EST-A-DIRE QUE DES FONDS NON GREVES SONT DISPONIBLES

5. LA PRIORITE D UTILISATION DES VETEMENTS ET DE L EQUIPEMENT SERA
ETABLIE PAR LE G3 DE L ARMEE DE TERRE ET COORDONNEE PAR LE DSSAT 3
4. TOUTES LES DEMANDES D ACHAT D EQUIPEMENT VISEES PAR LE PRESENT
CANLANDGEN DOIVENT ETRE TRANSMISES AU DSSAT 3-4 AU MOYEN DE LA
CHAINE DE COMMANDEMENT

6. LES CMDT DES SFT DOIVENT ENVOYER DES DEMANDES DE DEROGATION AU
CEMAT ET EXPLIQUER LA NECESSITE D UN ACHAT EN PARTICULIER
7. LE BPR DE L ACQUISITION DE VETEMENTS ET D EQUIPEMENT EST LE
DSSAT 3-4, LE MAJ DONALDSON, 819-997-6351

[pugs144]

Originally Posted by Danke

That's what you get with someone with a girl's name in charge.

Oh yeah and he's arty, who needs gear when you've got a truck to dump your shit in?

He'll be moving out of the CLS job soon.

One time he was speaking to a group of military wives at Pet whose spouses had just recently deployed and the first words out of his mouth were, "Today 4 Canadian soliders died....."

Wow. Just wow.

I was saddened when I heard that he was very dismissive of DRDC's contributions.

[RecceGod]

The point of the message was to remind units that they cannot use Operations and Maintenance monies to procure Soldier Systems items.

Read carefully lads before getting all steamed up...