Uniform Doesn't Fit

Z

Zaphod Beeblebrox

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Joined
Nov 8, 2023
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DS is MO NROTC. His utilities fit like a glove. His dress uniform looks like a potato sack. He was on color guard for March madness on TV. Compared to his comrades he looked like a cartoon. He has brought this up to his chain of command on multiple occasions.
He's a freshman Mid. I believe he has done all he can.
When and who do I engage at his unit? This is ridiculous. He looks like he's wearing a mumu when he should be a model on campus for NROTC.
 
Respectfully, I believe that this is an issue that should be handled exclusively between your DS and his Chain of Command. I agree it must be hard to watch, and ill-fitting SDBs can be especially frustrating, however a parents intervention may make it look like your DS can’t “fight his own battles” per se, and could adversely affect his standing in the unit. I’m not saying he should just sit there and take it, quite the opposite. However, it should come from him not you. Perhaps it would be a better idea for him to consult whatever admin/supply assistant is at the unit, given there is one, and given he has the correct permissions from his superiors to do so. Most units have one or both of these, usually a civilian or retired service member. They may have more time and/or sympathy to lend to the issue than DS’s chain of command, which is probably preoccupied with bigger issues.
 
This is a great opportunity for your son to lean on the AMOI and the senior USN enlisted advisor at his NROTC Unit for help in solving this problem.

Uniform issues are definitely in their wheel house & they will absolutely help him get squared away.

Learning from these seasoned enlisted leaders is a crucial part of officer development.

They’ll definitely steer him in the right direction.
 
Agree with the post above. This is not an insurmountable issue - no need for national TV coverage with embarrassment. Being in ROTC is training to be a leader/ getting key experience that will help you after you commission and lead soldiers/ lead others.
"He has done all he can" presents as a resigned, victim stance- for sure, for some decisions, hurry up and wait/ wait for someone above to make their decision is where you'll sit until someone is ready to do so = leave requests, travel orders, etc.. Were this my son dressed like he's in a potato sack and not liking it, if additional discussions don't bear results, I would recommend he simply go to a tailor that is known to work on military uniforms near campus, and have the uniform adjusted to that it more closely fits him. Over the years I try to establish a standard with employees that, informally is - please fix and don't lob issues like this upward - instead, please just fix it. They are empowered, stand on their own. If he receives a stipend tax free from his scholarship, use a little of that here. He is empowered, can fix this, that would show ownership, initiative, empowerment. He's got this - good luck.
 
Zaphod Beeblebrox said:
DS is MO NROTC. His utilities fit like a glove. His dress uniform looks like a potato sack. He was on color guard for March madness on TV. Compared to his comrades he looked like a cartoon. He has brought this up to his chain of command on multiple occasions.
He's a freshman Mid. I believe he has done all he can.
When and who do I engage at his unit? This is ridiculous. He looks like he's wearing a mumu when he should be a model on campus for NROTC.
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Stay out of it, he needs to learn to be his own advocate and learn to problem solve on his own.
Can you imagine being a senior USMC NCO getting a phone call from a parent of one of his NROTC-MO mids about his uniform issues.
 
This is absolutely a chain-of-command issue to be handled by your DS. Both the student chain of command along with the active duty chain of command.

Likely the AMOI is in charge of color guards. I assure you he wouldn't want to see an ill-fitting uniform on his unit nor would he tolerate it. This makes me wonder if there is a supply issue at the unit. The AMOI would be very familiar with hacks to make it appear better.

It is hard to assess the issue without seeing it. Forgive me for being direct, but your comment about the utilities "fitting like a glove" makes me suspect in yours/his judgement of fit. If I am off base, I back off my statement.

I would be hesitant to tailor a "borrowed/issued" uniform without permission. Shows initiative but it could be seen as damaging Gov't property. Your DS should work the chain of command and use the unit's resources appropriately. He could borrow a jacket or trousers from another mid for color guard details if nothing else works.

Best wishes for your DS.
 
As a college professor, I'm precluded by federal law (FERPA) from discussing a student's academic issues and records with anyone but the student. I doubt the LETTER of that law applies to an ROTC chain of command, but the SPIRIT of the law surely does. In the same way that I think less of the student whose parent contacts me (the parent's understanding of the issue rarely matches the reality of the issue, due to incomplete and/or inaccurate information from the student), I'm sure the chain of command would think less of the cadet. It does not reflect well. But while I don't have a big impact on the student's career standing, the chain of command certainly does.

In short, stay out of it and let your cadet figure it out. One way or another, they will. It's a great opportunity for growth.
 
I would never contact the unit. Just venting. Irritated at the lack of progress. Sharp dressed mids and cadets make a good impression on their civilian communities and this is an opportunity lost.
 
It could be a supply issue. Not much can be done about that besides some hacks like other posters mentioned to make the uniforms appear to fit better. There’s been a shortage of certain uniforms and sizes across the Navy for some time now, some are in very short supply
 
MidCakePa said:
As a college professor, I'm precluded by federal law (FERPA) from discussing a student's academic issues and records with anyone but the student. I doubt the LETTER of that law applies to an ROTC chain of command, but the SPIRIT of the law surely does. In the same way that I think less of the student whose parent contacts me (the parent's understanding of the issue rarely matches the reality of the issue, due to incomplete and/or inaccurate information from the student), I'm sure the chain of command would think less of the cadet. It does not reflect well. But while I don't have a big impact on the student's career standing, the chain of command certainly does.

In short, stay out of it and let your cadet figure it out. One way or another, they will. It's a great opportunity for growth.
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Note, this is not a dig at you.
Having put 3 kids through college, I have always been bemused at how universities are so adamant that "your son or daughter is an adult now, and we cannot, will not ever share any information about academics, grades, blah blah....."; but then out of the same mouths, "we need you to co-sign for their financial aid package" or especially the FASFA process tying parental income to what aid the kid qualifies for. This also includes after college when the university, college, or Alumni associations give you this one - "dear parents, how would you like to be given the opportunity to donate $$$ to our university", even after they graduate.

Since you are a college professor, what would happen if the student were to give the parents power of attorney to view grades? I imagine said University would fight this tooth and nail.

And yes, I understand the service academies are different. I also get and support the notion of these young people need to forge their own trail, grow up and become independent entities. I just have that as a question out of curiosity. Thanks for your answer in advance.
 
Mallard Duck said:
Since you are a college professor, what would happen if the student were to give the parents power of attorney to view grades? I imagine said University would fight this tooth and nail.
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This does happen. In fact, I don't think it requires POA -- just a signed document that cedes the right to maintain confidentiality. I know a handful of students who've done this. But unclear whether it was of their own volition or if they were pushed by their parents.

It's a federal law, not a school-specific policy. Though I'm sure academia played a role in getting the law passed. Personally, as a professor and a parent, I'm glad the law exists. But I can see why others dislike it, especially parents who fork over big sums of money but don't get access to academic records. Either way, I do believe it's the student's job -- as a legal adult who's learning about adulting -- to resolve their school-related issues. With encouragement and advice from their parents, certainly, but with the student as the primary advocate.
 
I am SO relieved, even giddy, to not have access. I don’t want to know. I earned that, dealing with it for K- 12. Allllll those conferences. Could not wait to not have any knowledge of their academia.
 
I was just gearing up on typing a note below but the muumuu comment just floored me. Now, like a moth to a flame, I can't shake the image of Homer S. working from home in said garment - my productivity or ability to even finish that post, is just completely blown.

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the one downside to FERPA laws binding schools not to contact the parents is that sometimes parents have no idea that their young adult is completely off-track academically for a semester. Last Spring, my buddy's son would say "pretty good" when his parents asked, often, how things were going at Syracuse. Well, he wasn't doing "pretty good" - he //
 
You could just buy a set of SDBs (or likely, just a jacket), he'll get to wear them for four years.
 
Ivy22 said:
It could be a supply issue. Not much can be done about that besides some hacks like other posters mentioned to make the uniforms appear to fit better. There’s been a shortage of certain uniforms and sizes across the Navy for some time now, some are in very short supply
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Thank you! Makes me feel much better!
 
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