i was watching the movie stop-loss and in it there is a scene that they give back all they were given; aka ponchos, gas mask, fatigues etc. and i just began to wonder. do veterans at least get to keep their helmets as a way of remembering all they gave for our country. thanks!
Your fancy uniform (the suit), you keep, as you have to buy it anyway, after your first year. But combats and such are all returned.
When I was in the Signal Regiment, we had a Sergeant retire. He had been issued a watch, as he did not own one. When he retired, he had to even give the watch back! We used to say that the Army was the only place you drove with your lights on in the daytime, off at night, and they took your watch away when you retire!