Clothing Table of Allowances, 1937 War Department Civilian Conservation Corps Regulations

Below is the table of allowances provided in the 1937 War Department Regulations for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Items of interest include the notation phasing out the altered WWI tunics, overcoats and jerkins, and the mobilization-era "windbreakers".

Director Fechner Comments on Clothing, FY 1938 Annual Report

In the Annual Report of the Director of the Civilian Conservation Corps for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30 1938, Director Robert Fechner had the following remarks to make about clothing:

Clothing Varied when Necessary

The quality of and the workmanship on the various garments purchased and issued is good because long experience has demonstrated that lowest net costs are produced through the purchase of materials of very good quality finished with excellent workmanship. As with the food purchased the clothing is all bought to exacting specifications. Buying is done by the Quartermaster Corps United States Army which maintains very rigid inspection to see that goods purchased comply with specifications.

While most of the items which make up the clothing outfits of the enrollees are standard all over the country a number of items are not This is accounted for by the great climatic differences encountered in a country as large as the United States. Special wool and fur garments are issued to enrollees in places where extreme cold is encountered. The issue of similar garments to enrollees in hot desert locations would of course be ridiculous. Special tropical clothing items are issued tomen in very warm locations. Often due to unusual geographical or work conditions other special items of clothing are issued. Men who work along a cliffside are often issued hard high crowned crash-helmets to protect them against being injured by falling pebbles or slivers of rock. Thus, clothing is standardized wherever possible but when special needs arise special clothing items are furnished to meet the needs.

Increasing emphasis has been placed on obtaining and issuing clothing which fits well and looks well in addition to wearing well. This is done to build up the individual's pride and interest in his appearance because personal appearance is often so vital a factor in obtaining and holding a job. When an enrollee leaves the Corps at the end of his term of enrollment he is given adequate clothing to insure a comfortable trip home. While he is at the camp the enrollee is free to wear his own clothing within very broad limits if he wishes to do so in preference to that which is issued. The enrollee who goes to town for the evening or who is given a week end leave or other leave is not required to wear the clothing issued to him but may do so if he wishes.