ummmm. Still sounds confusing to me.

OK. You join the American Army , and they issue you a Alice pack , a canteen, and a knife . Let's stop at thease three items . A year later you leave the military . Do you take the stuff with you ?? Are they considered YOURS legally ?

I thought that when you leave the military you have to return what they gave you unless it was totally damaged in battle. If you haven't gone to any war, then the knife, canteen and pack should be returned in a reasoably good shape.

That is what I thought anyway !!

OTOH, I have seen something close to what you are saying : like safety items issued to us in our work ( safety shoes ..etc. ) They are OURS to keep even if we leave the job, but is the military the same ??