JULY 22, 2025 — In a sweeping modernization effort, the Army issued new guidance on the removal and disposal of legacy Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment, or OCIE items deemed to have no economic value, as outlined in previous guidance. Soldiers across all components will see legacy OCIE automatically cleared from their records and given clear procedures for responsibility disposing of outdated gear.
The directive, released by the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, signals a pivotal shift in Army property accountability said John Cisney, OCIE policy lead, DCS, G-4. It streamlines the end-of-life process for aging OCIE while laying the groundwork for future transition to the Soldier Equipment and Asset Management, or SEAM, system, which will automate the removal of obsolete items from a Soldier’s record.
This initiative is part of a broader Army push to modernize logistics, reduce supply chain waste and maintain operational readiness. By removing outdated equipment from Soldier records and defining clear paths for disposal or return, the Army is ensuring that accountability and modernization efforts move forward together.
“This guidance provides clarity and consistency across the Army,” Cisney said. “We are reducing the administrative burden and ensuring Soldiers and units aren’t held responsible for items that no longer serve a purpose.”
Under the new policy, central issue facilities, known as CIFs, are authorized to remove low value items listed in previous Army guidance from the Soldier’s records during any CIF interaction. These removals, once manual, will eventually be automated through SEAM implantation.
Until then, CIFs will conduct in-person record updates, coordinating with unit supply personnel to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
For items labeled “OCIE Dispose,” such as black, cold-weather boots, silk-weight base layer and various woodland or desert camouflage garments, Soldiers are authorized to dispose of the gear at their discretion. However, the directive specifies that all unit identifiers — including patches, name tapes and infrared tabs — must be removed or destroyed prior to disposal.
This flexibility empowers Soldiers while protecting operational security and upholding Army branding and identity standards.
Other legacy items, particularly ballistic vests and protective equipment, fall under the “OCIE Return” category and must be turned in for demilitarization. Soldiers without access to a local CIF will use the Army’s direct ordering return system. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command Central Management Office is providing detailed instructions to CIFs for collecting these returns.
As the Army rolls out SEAM in the coming months, the system will introduce automated inventory tracking and record management, reducing reliance on manual CIF interactions to reflect this new end-of-life OCIE process.
The ALARACT remains in effect until May 9, 2026, and Soldiers with questions are encouraged to contact John Cisney at john.b.cisney.civ@army.mil.
For more information, Soldiers should refer to the full text ALARACT 056/2025 and coordinate with their local CIF.
By Staff Sgt. Ray Robinson III
Army News Service