Is your unit anal or WO one of those," back in my day we used only issued kit people"? Not to disrespect, but this is not back in the day. Don't get me wrong, I was raised to have respect for others and I do respect RANK. However it makes me so sick when you have one of those NCO's who thinks our issued kit is the greatest things since the invention of the wheel. Now I'm not saying we should be allowed to grow our hair long and have beards and where north face rucksacks. Up to certain point if it's cadpat or OD then why not, let the troops use it. As long as you have a repair kit in case. When troops are in field training for, dare I say it "war", who gives a crap about issued kit or uniformity! Discipline is important yes, BUT UNIFORMITY DOESN'T WIN BATTLES! I've heard this from one of my section commanders and in my short time I've always believed it. There is better kit out there, if a troop wants to spend his own cash then why not, as long as it's cadpat or OD or not easily noticed! I'm the one wearing it, I'm the one using it and I'm the one carrying it. Maybe the troops should be allowed to be soldiers and feel professional once and a while!