BDU access ban from DRMO rescinded

[Laplace]

After a two year prohabition, CAP is once again authorized to screen woodland BDUs from DRMOs!   See attached NHQ memo.

Specific mention on limiting acquitions to woodland BDUs, not any desert style uniforms. 

I keep up with the only DRMO in my area, Ft. Polk, and I haven't seen much available in the past year.  Good luck and share any success stories.

[PHall]

Well considering that the Army has been "BDU Free" for over a year now, it's not surprising that you haven't seen any lately.

And I wouldn't bet on a whole bunch of servicable BDU's showing up at DRMO's that are near Air Force Bases either.
The one's that do will be pretty well worn.

[Eclipse]

USAF, probably not, but the Navy and Marines still wears lots of them, up in these parts, so I expect to start stocking up again...

[PHall]

USAF, probably not, but the Navy and Marines still wears lots of them, up in these parts, so I expect to start stocking up again...

Marines??? I thought the mandatory wear date for the MarPats was a couple of years ago.

[Eclipse]

USAF, probably not, but the Navy and Marines still wears lots of them, up in these parts, so I expect to start stocking up again...

Marines??? I thought the mandatory wear date for the MarPats was a couple of years ago.

If so, my bad - with the Navy wearing the pointed hats sometimes its hard to tell from a distance.

[stratoflyer]

Well I got a question. How can I go about getting stuff from a DRMO in the first place? I thought that was through liaison officers or something or other. The AF base near us I'm sure will be unloading BDU's soon as their BX has only recently been stocking up ABU's.

[IceNine]

Go through your chain to the wing Logistics

There are a number of DRMO "screeners" for each wing.  These people are the ones that get DRMO stuff for us

[Eclipse]

Well I got a question. How can I go about getting stuff from a DRMO in the first place? I thought that was through liaison officers or something or other. The AF base near us I'm sure will be unloading BDU's soon as their BX has only recently been stocking up ABU's.

Your wing's Logistics officer needs to be DRMO-authorized for starters (some aren't and never take the time).  Most wings have 2-3 people who are authorized.

You place your request for "x" to him, he screens it through DRMO, and the SD reviews the request (usually approving it).

How do you know what "x" is?  The Wing LG has access to a catalog, updated regularly, and should/can supply that down stream to your unit CC or Unit LG.

[Al Sayre]

Ya'll seem to have missed part of the memo on BDU's.  If you get them from DRMO, then you have to track them and ensure that they are returned to DRMO when they become unserviceable.  I don't kknow about you, but I don't look forward to a day when Cadet Dirtbag who joined six months ago decides to quit by just disappearing from the face of the earth.  I will have to file a theft report with the local sheriff to get the uniforms back because he didn't/won't return my phone calls or the uniforms that I have to account for.  This isn't going to be a real good PR move...

[JohnKachenmeister]

Ya'll seem to have missed part of the memo on BDU's.  If you get them from DRMO, then you have to track them and ensure that they are returned to DRMO when they become unserviceable.  I don't kknow about you, but I don't look forward to a day when Cadet Dirtbag who joined six months ago decides to quit by just disappearing from the face of the earth.  I will have to file a theft report with the local sheriff to get the uniforms back because he didn't/won't return my phone calls or the uniforms that I have to account for.  This isn't going to be a real good PR move...

You are right, Al, this is a war-stopper.

First, the number of decent BDU's we will get will be small, and if we have to write a report of survey for every shirt and pair of pants that we lose to a cadet who drops out, we will be swamped with paperwork.

Also, in March the NB may approve LtCol White's re-write of 39-1, and we may start phasing in ABU's either this year or next.

[Laplace]

Ya'll seem to have missed part of the memo on BDU's.  If you get them from DRMO, then you have to track them and ensure that they are returned to DRMO when they become unserviceable.  I don't kknow about you, but I don't look forward to a day when Cadet Dirtbag who joined six months ago decides to quit by just disappearing from the face of the earth.  I will have to file a theft report with the local sheriff to get the uniforms back because he didn't/won't return my phone calls or the uniforms that I have to account for.  This isn't going to be a real good PR move...

I think this means you cannot just throw "unserviceable" uniforms in the garbage or sell them.  Uniforms are considered expendable items and, for the most part, have no value after extended usage.   CAP regs say Commanders must make reasonable efforts to recover property from members who terminate membership or transfer to another Unit.  If you've made a telephone call and/or sent a letter to the Cadet's guardians; and received no response, that seems reasonable to me.   I have the Cadet and their guardian sign an initial form explaining that any issued uniforms are CAP property and need to be returned.  Officers sign this same form also.  Once I am aware a member has left the unit, I send out a form letter and follow up with a telephone call if necessary.  I place special emphasis on Field Jackets, Flight suits/jackets, and uniforms I know are brand new.  If I don't get a response or uniforms, I would not contact authorities nor notify the Wing CC to start a Report of Survey.   

I keep a pile of unserviceable uniforms at my unit to take to DRMO in future.   I agree that we may not get a lot of good used uniforms out of the DRMOs.  I would like to get the untold amount of boxes of brand new BDUs that have to sitting in warehouses somewhere   

[LtCol Hooligan]

I think the last line also may be specifically for wings as generally speaking, when you get BDUs from DRMO, they come in a large box on a pallet.  Someone then has to sort them and get them ready for squadrons to come and gettem.  I am sure what DRMO wants is the original items that are not serviceable back.  From there, the Wing issues the good ones to the squadrons.  Once that happens, they are expendable and each squadron has to decide how they will issue and account for them.  Wing most likely never wants to see them again!!

[Eclipse]

Ya'll seem to have missed part of the memo on BDU's.  If you get them from DRMO, then you have to track them and ensure that they are returned to DRMO when they become unserviceable.  I don't know about you, but I don't look forward to a day when Cadet Dirtbag who joined six months ago decides to quit by just disappearing from the face of the earth.  I will have to file a theft report with the local sheriff to get the uniforms back because he didn't/won't return my phone calls or the uniforms that I have to account for.  This isn't going to be a real good PR move...

That's only the first year, from there they become expendable items.

An increasing number of units make their cadets sign an agreement for return if they quit within the first year.  If a theft report is what it take, so be it.

As with all things CAP, if you don't want to be involved, don't pull them from DRMO.

Our experience has been that we get a lot of serviceable pants, but that the DRMO's spend an inordinate amount of time destroying the sleeves of enlisted shirts.

But even those shirts can be used "sleeves up" in the summer, and if it puts that extra emergency shirt in a cadet's ES kit, well, the price is right.

[DNall]

Also, in March the NB may approve LtCol White's re-write of 39-1, and we may start phasing in ABU's either this year or next.

That may be delayed to the winter boards, primarily because LtCol White is out of the process. But, it is pre-approved and will happen.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Dennis:

I'm sorry, but I thought the March board meeting was, at least traditionally, where uniform issues were resolved.

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

It would be good if the ABU's would be approved soon. Since the base clothing sales doesn't have any BDU's anymore and only ABU's we really have had troubles getting BDU's for the new cadets.

We are working close with the airman's attic but very soon they won't have any BDU's and black boots either.


We hope we can very soon use the ABU's because clothing sales stocked up a lot with those.

[Eclipse]

It would be good if the ABU's would be approved soon. Since the base clothing sales doesn't have any BDU's anymore and only ABU's we really have had troubles getting BDU's for the new cadets.

Should read:

Since the Air Force base clothing sales doesn't have any BDU's anymore and only ABU's we really have had troubles getting BDU's for the new cadets.

[broken record]
As to getting BDU's for cadets, if you're buying them anyway there are plenty of retail and online sources.
[/broken record]

Don't hold your breath for ABUs, it'll be 2-3 years guaranteed, but at least by then there may be some in the DRMO and secondary channel which is nearly non-existent today.

[DNall]

Dennis:

I'm sorry, but I thought the March board meeting was, at least traditionally, where uniform issues were resolved.

It is, and that was the intent, but the effort was derailed a bit when LtCol White was removed from the effort - we won't get into that publicly. The effort to fix the manual, to include the ABU proposal (which has been favorably reviewed by CAP-USAF), is still ongoing. With a big push, the product could be ready for the March board, but the politics of getting it approved should have already started if we were going to make that date. I'm not sure at this stage if that's feasible now.

I can tell you ABUs will be approved for initial wear in less than 2-3 years, but may be 1-2 years rather than months as we'd hoped. The mandatory date more like 5yrs out. Anyone that's in need of BDUs should go that route, as you'll still be able to wear them for several years regardless of what happens with ABUs.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Drop me a PM on LtCol White.  I noticed he hasn't been haunting the boards lately, and I wondered what was up.

[Flying Pig]

USAF, probably not, but the Navy and Marines still wears lots of them, up in these parts, so I expect to start stocking up again...

Marines quite wearing "utilities" many years ago.  Marines NEVER wore BDU's

[Senior]

 ;)MARINES never quite learned how to properly roll the sleeves(camo in,
non camo side out ) up on said UTILITIES!!!!
HE!HE!HE!

[Flying Pig]

BLASPHEMER!

[PHall]

It would be good if the ABU's would be approved soon. Since the base clothing sales doesn't have any BDU's anymore and only ABU's we really have had troubles getting BDU's for the new cadets.

Should read:

Since the Air Force base clothing sales doesn't have any BDU's anymore and only ABU's we really have had troubles getting BDU's for the new cadets.

[broken record]
As to getting BDU's for cadets, if you're buying them anyway there are plenty of retail and online sources.
[/broken record]

Don't hold your breath for ABUs, it'll be 2-3 years guaranteed, but at least by then there may be some in the DRMO and secondary channel which is nearly non-existent today.

Bob, he's in GERMANY and the local AF Base is his only local uniform source.

[Eclipse]

Bob, he's in GERMANY and the local AF Base is his only local uniform source.

Last I checked, they get the internet in Germany, though with international shipping restrictions that may be a legit issue.

I sympathize, but seriously doubt that NHQ is going to make uniform policy based on the few international units with special circumstances.

[badger bob]

The Woodland BDU ban has been rescinded. CAP is authorized only to withdraw Woodland BDU's in condition code "A" or "B" from the DRMO which are new (new-in-the-box) condition or like new(un-issued). Any used, worn or previously issued uniforms will be shipped for destruction by DRMO.

We are working with the DRMS-DRMO to add all the available Woodland BDU NSN numbers to the CAP screeners website. Hopefully this will be operational and available within the nest few weeks.

Withdrawals from the DRMO go through the CAP electronic screening system

[majdomke]

;)MARINES never quite learned how to properly roll the sleeves(camo in,
non camo side out ) up on said UTILITIES!!!!
HE!HE!HE!

FWIW - I trained with Marines while in the AF back in 86-87 and they wore their BDU's rolled with camo out. No idea why they changed it. (probably because the AF mimicked them)

[PHall]

;)MARINES never quite learned how to properly roll the sleeves(camo in,
non camo side out ) up on said UTILITIES!!!!
HE!HE!HE!

FWIW - I trained with Marines while in the AF back in 86-87 and they wore their BDU's rolled with camo out. No idea why they changed it. (probably because the AF mimicked them)

No, the Air Force copied the Army. Try again!

[Airrace]

Ya'll seem to have missed part of the memo on BDU's.  If you get them from DRMO, then you have to track them and ensure that they are returned to DRMO when they become unserviceable.  I don't kknow about you, but I don't look forward to a day when Cadet Dirtbag who joined six months ago decides to quit by just disappearing from the face of the earth.  I will have to file a theft report with the local sheriff to get the uniforms back because he didn't/won't return my phone calls or the uniforms that I have to account for.  This isn't going to be a real good PR move...

You are right, Al, this is a war-stopper.

First, the number of decent BDU's we will get will be small, and if we have to write a report of survey for every shirt and pair of pants that we lose to a cadet who drops out, we will be swamped with paperwork.

Also, in March the NB may approve LtCol White's re-write of 39-1, and we may start phasing in ABU's either this year or next.

Al, you are right. It's to bad that we live in a society that prevents good thinks like this just because of one bad apple.

You are better off contacting a dry cleaners near a military base and see if you can get the BDU's that nobody comes back to claim.

[badger bob]

Ya'll seem to have missed part of the memo on BDU's.  If you get them from DRMO, then you have to track them and ensure that they are returned to DRMO when they become unserviceable.  I don't kknow about you, but I don't look forward to a day when Cadet Dirtbag who joined six months ago decides to quit by just disappearing from the face of the earth.  I will have to file a theft report with the local sheriff to get the uniforms back because he didn't/won't return my phone calls or the uniforms that I have to account for.  This isn't going to be a real good PR move...

You are right, Al, this is a war-stopper.

First, the number of decent BDU's we will get will be small, and if we have to write a report of survey for every shirt and pair of pants that we lose to a cadet who drops out, we will be swamped with paperwork.

Also, in March the NB may approve LtCol White's re-write of 39-1, and we may start phasing in ABU's either this year or next.

Al, you are right. It's to bad that we live in a society that prevents good thinks like this just because of one bad apple.

You are better off contacting a dry cleaners near a military base and see if you can get the BDU's that nobody comes back to claim.

The new CAPR 174-1 will require that expendable issues be tracked- which will be a online issue to a member. Local staff should document an effort to retrieve property from a seperated member, however documentation of a good faith effort will be sufficient for a expendable item. This is actually a carryover from the current regulations, however not as clearly written in 67-1.

Currently, CAP is allowed to requisition BDU's from the DRMO in Federal Condition "A" or "B" which are basically new-in-the-box or new-out of-the-box condition.

[jeancalvinus]

True, they wear cammies. But that rhymes with jammies...

[pixelwonk]

True, they wear cammies. But that rhymes with jammies...

brilliant. 

[BuckeyeDEJ]

True, they wear cammies. But that rhymes with jammies...

Never saw a pair with feet, though.

[coolkites]

True, they wear cammies. But that rhymes with jammies...

Never saw a pair with feet, though.

unfortunattely I have. 

[majdomke]

Hearing the good news that we could now screen BDU's through DRMO I immediatly contacted my group LG. The response we got back from wing LG was "We are restricted from screening from DRMO at present". What happened? I thought we were in the clear. My supply of BDU's is drying up.

[badger bob]

PM to follow

[M.S.]

Hearing the good news that we could now screen BDU's through DRMO I immediatly contacted my group LG. The response we got back from wing LG was "We are restricted from screening from DRMO at present". What happened? I thought we were in the clear. My supply of BDU's is drying up.

You got a response?  Hah! we are told in our wing that DRMO screening is for wings use. Group's logistics officer, when he actually materializes, claims to have no DRMO screening abilities.

And basically, even if you can find a pallet of BDUs or whatever you want, it's all on a "pickup only" basis right?  So you would need to be located near a DRMO depot to really take advantage of the system, right?

[Spike]

^ Correct!

Most items are taken by "Gov't Liquidation" INC., the day they are put into the DRMO tracking system.  GL INC has exclusive "first grab" rights to all DRMO material. 

The system is totally not fair for organizations like CAP. 

I would not even rely on DRMO! 

[majdomke]

Luckily we are located at a supply depot with DRMO and Gov't Liquidators on site. My issue is just getting the chance to get them. Gov't Liquidators can't even touch uniform such as BDU's, trust me I've looked.

[badger bob]

^ Correct!

Most items are taken by "Gov't Liquidation" INC., the day they are put into the DRMO tracking system.  GL INC has exclusive "first grab" rights to all DRMO material. 

The system is totally not fair for organizations like CAP. 

I would not even rely on DRMO!

CAP has a DOD priority for screening from the DRMO. DOD authorized agencies have the exclusive authority to screen the first two weeks a surplus item is turned into the DRMO. After  DOD agencies pass on items, other federal agencie have an exclusive GSA priority. Only if no federal agency requests items- the renmainder is turned over to public sales) Gov Liquidation.

[Spike]

^ My mistake.  Every time I walked into DRMO I always saw the yellow GOV LIQ stickers, and was misinformed by a person who worked there. 

If this is the case (and I trust you) I will start looking for items again! 

When do you suggest the best time to go on line and look for items?  Or is that really not a factor as items are added as they come in??  Or are they added on a certain day of the month??

Thanks!

[badger bob]

Screeners have to be authorized by the wing commander and submitted to CAP-USAF. Only authorized screeners can use the CAP online screening system.

There is a public view only access
https://www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govealpa.html

This site is updated daily. Only items in the DOD or RTD2 screening cycles are availalbe for CAP screening

[Pylon]

Screeners have to be authorized by the wing commander and submitted to CAP-USAF. Only authorized screeners can use the CAP online screening system.

There is a public view only access
https://www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govealpa.html

This site is updated daily. Only items in the DOD or RTD2 screening cycles are availalbe for CAP screening

So everything available to CAP would be viewable by an average joe member through the public access site linked in your post?  Then we could forward the MILSTRIP or something like that to Wing LG if we wanted them to try and snag it for us?

[badger bob]

Screeners have to be authorized by the wing commander and submitted to CAP-USAF. Only authorized screeners can use the CAP online screening system.

There is a public view only access
https://www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govealpa.html

This site is updated daily. Only items in the DOD or RTD2 screening cycles are availalbe for CAP screening

So everything available to CAP would be viewable by an average joe member through the public access site linked in your post?  Then we could forward the MILSTRIP or something like that to Wing LG if we wanted them to try and snag it for us?

Everything available to CAP is viewable through the public site- however that does not mean that everything on the site is availalbe to CAP. Tanks, Humvee's, Duece and a half, and ABU's and many other items are not availble.

CAP has additional requirements. The Wing has to be able to pickup, record, safekeep, and return the items when no longer needed. The items must be within the CAP Table of Allowances. A screener authorized by the wing commander must make the request, NHQ-CAP-LGS must approve the request, the CAP-USAF State director must approve, and the CAP-USAF Region LG must approve.

[majdomke]

I guess gone are the days when wing maintained a supply room... I remember as a cadet working the supply room at MIWG HQ. We had uniforms and sleeping bags mostly. But any squadron could come up and pickup what they needed. Now that I've seen what DRMO has at my base, I just need to forward my wish list up the chain right? Then what? (Besides Hope and Pray)

[PHall]

I guess gone are the days when wing maintained a supply room... I remember as a cadet working the supply room at MIWG HQ. We had uniforms and sleeping bags mostly. But any squadron could come up and pickup what they needed. Now that I've seen what DRMO has at my base, I just need to forward my wish list up the chain right? Then what? (Besides Hope and Pray)

My first question is "how did you even get into the DRMO in the first place?"

If you're not an "authorized screener" then you're not supposed to be allowed access unless you're accompanied by an "authorized screener".

[Hawk200]

My first question is "how did you even get into the DRMO in the first place?"

If you're not an "authorized screener" then you're not supposed to be allowed access unless you're accompanied by an "authorized screener".

DRMO used to have regular cash and carry sales open to the public. I've been to dozens of them. Anyone could go, they don't even check ID. First come, first served. Only cash accepted; no checks, money orders, credit cards, etc.

[majdomke]

There is a public view only access
https://www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govealpa.html

Is how I was able to view what was available at my location...

[PHall]

My first question is "how did you even get into the DRMO in the first place?"

If you're not an "authorized screener" then you're not supposed to be allowed access unless you're accompanied by an "authorized screener".

DRMO used to have regular cash and carry sales open to the public. I've been to dozens of them. Anyone could go, they don't even check ID. First come, first served. Only cash accepted; no checks, money orders, credit cards, etc.

Opertive phrase "used to have".