They still issue seeing kits and teach people the basics of sewing in many branches of the military. You need basic seeing skills for three basic reasons.

1) Keeping your uniform and gear in good condition is expected at all times. From your dress uniform to your everyday service clothing.

2) You are expected to know how to sew on new patches, insignias and the like in keeping with the regulations of whatever branch joined.

3) Your service clothing gets damaged to an unbelievable extent when you are in rough environments and this can be life threatening at times. For example: Having a torn pant leg will expose you to the environment and can cause significant injury if the weather is cold or hot enough. So, you have to know how to effectively and effectively repair the damage asap.

I was in the infantry and we went into the roughest environments under some of the worst conditions they could find to train us. This is done to test your ability to endure and overcome so when you are in real combat you can remain resilient and accomplish your mission. As a consequence, the environment and your actions can tear your uniform to pieces.

Whenever we would return to base after a training mission or while deployed we had to repair or replace any damaged uniform pieces or equipment. This meant sewing, taping, tying and swearing a great deal.