Why does the U.S. Army issue purchase and issue gear to soldiers that they won't let them properly wear/use?

Question

[A few examples...]
The hood on the poncho.
The earflaps on the cold weather patrol cap.
The *tee hee* Pilecap.
The new RFI Oakleys.
Camelbacks.
Depending where you are stationed the list may differ but there's always a list.
What the efff?

[EDIT: Heh, omit the first instance of "issue" in the question. Damn those typos...]

Answer 1

why do you care........?....they will wear these things if the time calls for them....

Answer 2

Because they have to go through all the red tape to get them and when the goverment finally does purchase body armor it ends up at units stateside instead of where they need it. American militias are probably more equipped than our soldiers in Iraq.

Answer 3

Pogues are pogues for a reason. They don't think like grunts and a lot of them worry too much about the wrong things.

I was able to use all my issued stuff in Iraq.

Answer 4

When in formation or as a group, uniformity is a must. I have used ALL my issue items and accessories at one time or another after breaking into squad level actions. When we did, we ALL used them, thus uniformity again.

Answer 5

It is called 'local policy.' You just happen to be somewhere where your commander feels that those items are not needed.

Answer 6

Two words: "Military Intelligence".

Answer 7

Get your heels in and Just bloody do as your told.

Answer 8

maybe they will make them easier to spot out in the desert

Answer 9

old regulations its not like that in iraq not in the infantry