[Drache]

To further confuse the issue, we occasionally encounter "GENUINE-ISSUE CADPAT CLOTHING" on eBay. Here, there are 2 possible sources. The first, is used or defective "seconds" military-issue CADPAT clothing that was mistakenly sold as surplus by Base Supply Organizations who dicked up and did not follow DND direction that any and all non-serviceable CADPAT items are to be "rendered to rags" before selling as scrap. Some Base supply sections did not follow this directive (before getting their pee-pee's soundly slapped), and as a result there IS some genuine DND-issue CADPAT clothing for sale on the open market. It is all either used, or damaged, or otherwise determined to be "non-serviceable" (eg. no suitable for re-issue to a serving soldier). The case in Alberta where Edmonton Garrison sold off many tri-walls of used and defective CADPAT combat clothing to a local entrepreneur and then tried (abortively to claim it back) is a case in point. As a result, there are now many thousands of used and defective genuine-issue CADPAT uniforms available for sale on the open market (eBay included). Good going guys....

The other source of genuine DND-Issue CADPAT available on eBay are uniforms that were stolen directly from the CF supply system. These tend to be the "mint/unissued" uniforms that are offered from time to time, usually by UK or US-based sellers. Why the foreign offerings? Very simple - those who are actively stealing genuine DND-issue CADPAT uniforms and equipment (Tac-Vests, Bivvy Bags, etc) from within the CF supply system know that the Military Police have a mandate to aggressively pursue such breaches of operational security, and therefore flog their stolen goods through off-shore second parties.

It is safe to say that anyone who chooses to purchase a DND-issued item of CADPAT (uniform, Tac Vest, etc) is trafficking in unquestionably stolen goods. As always, conscience contends with opportunity....

A friend of my cousin's who is a soldier stationed in Cold Lake told me that all DND issued CADPAT gear will never be sold as surplus as and as such buying/selling it could get you into a lot of trouble. This all happened after my cousin was found to be in possession of a complete CADPAT BDU, vest, helmet, you name it, the complete kit. It was all given to him about 4 years before. He had 3 MP's come by and ask for the stuff back, including the CADPAT pants he was wearing at the time (at least what he told me).

Can any of the current serving CF members attest to this?