Posted on Nov 14, 2014
SGT(P) Karen Lonn
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Web apfu winter
Since I arrived at my new duty station, I have heard several SMs discussing the new PT uniform. Some of these discussions have been in passing, and I did not even know them. But I am surprised that the vast majority are against the new look. What are your thoughts?
Posted in these groups: Imgres Physical Training4276e14c UniformsUnited states army logo Army
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Responses: 123
MSG William Wold
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I'm retired, so I'll put in 2 cents and see if I get any change.
Observation one, the majority of PT training I've seen is either before dawn, or late afternoon.
Two, dark colors are not good to wear in the dark, regardless of tiny strips of reflective material.
Three. Wearing dark colors in bright sunny afternoon PT is rather Unwise due to attracting heat, not letting the body dissipate it. Look for more heat related injuries.
When I had my Jeep Weangler, just switching from a black removable top to a lighter color tan it was 22 degrees cooler inside when the sun was out. Course most the time when the sun was out the top was down; something you can't do in the PT uniform..
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SSG Squad Leader
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I think it was a waste of money. The real problem is the reflective belt. When I was at Ft. Riley (02-06), we didn't wear reflective belts for PT, the PT area was closed from traffic. Since when did we become an Army that cares how it looks when we are doing PT? We should be getting rid of the requirement by commands to have on the stupid reflective belt when we are not running on a road with traffic. We should work smarter not harder.
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SGT Nodal Network Systems Operators/Maintainer
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11 y
I'm there now roads on the hill are still closed from 0630-0730 but we wear the pt belts now
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SSG Squad Leader
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11 y
It was only a matter of time.
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MSG (Ret.) John Centuolo
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Embrace the suck. Eventually someone will realize we do PT in the dark, the new PTs are dark/black. So instead of standing out in the dark, someone decided for us to blend in and become speed bumps. Something tells me it's going to turn into a Monday and Friday safety briefing, maybe even a monthly PowerPoint brief on how to watch out for Soldiers in this new dark PT uniform while driving. Not to mention that dark colors in hot climates don't mix. Where was the medical field in this uniform color decision?
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SSG Squad Leader
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
Agreed! The uniform was so well thought through! Overpriced garbage I'm hoping I do not get hit by a car while wearing...
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SFC Infantryman
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
I just have to say, I've been in several Active Army units 90'-01' that wore mostly black or all black PT uniforms without the PT belts and we never had issues with being hit by vehicles.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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I like the look, but the new uniforms are very thin, not a great thing in the Tundra that is Fort Drum..
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CPT Human Resources Officer
CPT (Join to see)
11 y
In Korea its bad enough, I don't want to imagine what FT Drum PT is like in those.
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LTC Student
LTC (Join to see)
11 y
Here in Baumholder we shift between winter and summer in a single day, during all four seasons. The 9-35 degree range I've worn the APFU in the past two months starts with being chilly during the formation, building body heat that stays inside the two layers, and then freezing at the end / cool-down. Slightly frustrating, generally tolerable. I look forward to building an argument during high humidity summers...
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SFC Operations Ncoic
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I agree, the material sucked. However, the design was ok and the pattern did not need to be changed. I have had a total of ten uniform changes in 16 years. I started off with the BDU's, then DCU's, then the old PT grey to new PT, then the Barrett, then ACU's, Then ASU's, then Multicam, FRACU, Now the new PFU's. I've also had the Green Flight Suits, Brown Flight Suits, ACU Flight Suits (x2). I'm tired of buying a "new Uniform".

Oh, and I forgot the ACU replacement.... Did I say 10? I meant 11... and counting.
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SSG Robert Burns
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No, the company that makes them is super happy.
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WO1 Senior Drill Sergeant
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I feel that you just wear whatever uniform that is issued proudly and respectfully because if you just wait another couple of years there will be another uniform. But I kind of like the new looks, it takes us back to the "Army of One" days.
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CPT History Program
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Injecting government money into the textile market always drives uniform change decisions. I know that sounds cynical, but it is also accurate.

This uniform looks like USMA or USMA graduates made the decision here on the look. The PT uniform has been black and grey for over 25 years . . . The Army has a tragic history not paying attention to tradition when it comes to uniforms. The American public has become very familiar with this uniform . . . so the Army changes it. Possibly they were thinking it was a more slimming color? Make the uniform tighter, enforce height weight standards, and practice fat shaming at every level. I'm only being slightly sarcastic.
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SMA Ray Chandler
SMA Ray Chandler
11 y
What tradition is black and gray
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CPT History Program
CPT (Join to see)
11 y
The Army PT uniform has been grey and black since . . . the late eighties. I say eighties because when I joined in '90, my NCOs used to talk disparagingly of the old "banana" outfit. Well . . . no one really misses that creamy grayish sweat suit, but those colors have become pretty identifiable with the Army. The digital reflective coating on the last jacket was kind of gimmicky. But overall it was a fairly nice looking outfit. The above outfit doesn't look bad but it does look like it comes off of one of the X-man movies.
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SSG Squad Leader
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Edited 11 y ago
1. They are way over priced.
2. Who cares what they look like. We are not conducting PT for fashion.
3. This is a waste of time, be ause we already have to purchase these anyways.
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SPC Steven Garcia
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Why spend all of the money changing to a new PT uniform.
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