Posted on Apr 9, 2014
APFU Pants: Why do I have to take them off when it's between 35-50° F?
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This has always been a pet peeve of mine. We form up in full Winter APFUs because it's friggin cold outside, and the 1SG tells us to take our pants off. WHY? It's COLD!
Am I the only person in the military who gets cold when my legs are exposed to cold air and wind? We usually just stand there waiting for who knows what to start the formation usually after it was supposed to begin. I once had to take an APFT at Ft. Huachuca while it was 30° with a really cold wind. We had to take off our pants for that one. Too cold. Way too cold. Am I just bitching? Is this because I am a Floridian?
All I really want to know is why do senior NCOs make this call? Can't we take the pants off when we actually start PT?
Am I the only person in the military who gets cold when my legs are exposed to cold air and wind? We usually just stand there waiting for who knows what to start the formation usually after it was supposed to begin. I once had to take an APFT at Ft. Huachuca while it was 30° with a really cold wind. We had to take off our pants for that one. Too cold. Way too cold. Am I just bitching? Is this because I am a Floridian?
All I really want to know is why do senior NCOs make this call? Can't we take the pants off when we actually start PT?
APFU
Physical Training
Formation
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 117
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When I went to basic at Ft. Knox back in February of 1986, we got issued cold weather gear with our uniforms. That included wool long johns. The mornings were brisk at 25°, but not unbearable. However, later in the day, the temperatures warmed to a balmy 50°. On our last day in the reception station we were told what the uniform for the day was and were told to not wear long johns. Some of the troops from warmer states like Florida didn't listen.
That day, we fell in with our bags and our new Drill Sgts took over. They had us pick up our bags and double timed us the mile to our new barracks. It was just a casual airborne shuffle, but by the time we got there, we were all sweating pretty good. The guys with the long johns however, looked like they were in danger of heat exhaustion. The lesson was hard, but learned well. From that day on, nobody dared wear anything other than the prescribed uniform for the day.
The point is that heavy exercise when wearing enough to be comfortable when resting is a good way to get overheated. You might be a bit cold when you start out, but before long, you'll be plenty warm.
P.S. - Yes, you can blame being a Floridian. You guys are wearing long pants and coats when we're still running around in sweatshirts and shorts in South Dakota. It's called acclimatization.
That day, we fell in with our bags and our new Drill Sgts took over. They had us pick up our bags and double timed us the mile to our new barracks. It was just a casual airborne shuffle, but by the time we got there, we were all sweating pretty good. The guys with the long johns however, looked like they were in danger of heat exhaustion. The lesson was hard, but learned well. From that day on, nobody dared wear anything other than the prescribed uniform for the day.
The point is that heavy exercise when wearing enough to be comfortable when resting is a good way to get overheated. You might be a bit cold when you start out, but before long, you'll be plenty warm.
P.S. - Yes, you can blame being a Floridian. You guys are wearing long pants and coats when we're still running around in sweatshirts and shorts in South Dakota. It's called acclimatization.
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1 reason that I can think of is Top forgot his pants at one point in time and now all the Tops want to be that hardcore.
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Be careful Chief I got barked at for using the word "bitch session" in this site by a MSG.....just an FYI oversensitivity to Senior leaders who are to scard to call it like they see it. But your all Aces in my book Sir.
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Cpl Daniel Lee
I've learned that as you go up in the ranks, for example going from NCO to Staff NCO, any and all common sense gets shit canned once those rockers (or in the Army's case, that 2nd rocker) gets pinned on. I mean no disrespect to the Staff NCO ranks, but that's just an observation that I made during my time in both the Marine Corps and the Army.
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MSG (Join to see)
I think it's well up to the experience and the climate. As Senior NCO, I remember all of the silliest of Army practices and try my best to avoid them. It's not that common sense isn't applied, it sometimes is a larger issue that you may not have the perspective on at your level. That being said, we must also remember we are here to defend democracy not practice it.
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Chief
I feel your pain when it comes to cold weather, I am from Puerto Rico, so anytime it goes under 70, I start shivering, and I hate when I am in shorts and t-shirt at that time.
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SFC Craig Dalen
That chart is a guide line for TRADOC. The uniform for a unit is whatever the command decides.
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SSG (Join to see)
I am currently attending ALC in Fort Eustis and I was told this morning by the sgl that we are not authorized to wear pants until it is 39 degrees or less. I completely agree with you. We form up at 0520 in jacket, long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt and shorts. We stand there for 10-15 minutes waiting for formation to begin. Then report and carry on with the nco creed. I literally shiver the entire creed and the most reaction given was the sgls standing behind me talking about how cold I look. We were two shirts and a jacket but can't wear pants...
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The new APFT uniform is crap...period. Being stationed at Drum and shortly into Wainwright, this uniform is wholly impractical and beyond anything that resembles protection from the elements. Again, we have begun to concentrate on how we look rather than how we train. I'm sure it's great for those lifers that stay at Bragg or Hood for their whole career. However, for those of us chosen to lead in different units throughout the Army, it is horrible.
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CPT (Join to see)
I got an idea... Let's make the Uniform ALL BLACK!!! The socks too! (stupid)
Yes.. I know there's a yellow reflective strip, but you just look like a road sign from a mile away, not a person.
Now that digital reflective grey camo pattern that the old APFT uniform was "slowly" incorporating, that was amazing. You REALLY stuck out, no way someone would not see you. I never even got around to getting that jacket....
Yes.. I know there's a yellow reflective strip, but you just look like a road sign from a mile away, not a person.
Now that digital reflective grey camo pattern that the old APFT uniform was "slowly" incorporating, that was amazing. You REALLY stuck out, no way someone would not see you. I never even got around to getting that jacket....
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COL Charles Williams
CW2 (Join to see) Off topic, but - Fort Drum 89 - 92.... we had the gray PT sweats then... We had to do PT outside unless it was colder than -20. We wore balaclavas, poly-pro under them, and some days wore VB boots and Arctic mittens.
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CW2 (Join to see)
COL Charles Williams - Ouch...we still have those Hooahh Hooahh units but the Army today and its complaint processes, it is very rare.
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COL Charles Williams
CW2 (Join to see) - It was actually so silly, it was funny. The mantra then was "if you ain't infantry, act like infantry" so we did... At least in Alaska, we so silly...
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its funny how todays army you get to wear shorts,running shoes,cold weather gear.back in the day you did everything in your fatiuges and combat boots if it was cold you got to wear your field jacket. whats my army turning into?
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SGT Joseph Allen III
Had the yellow pt jacket, bdu pants, brown t-shirt and running shoes. In Germany bdu's and running shoes
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SSG Robin Nixon
How long did you stay in? Not very long! Things do change with time! As I am sure you have!
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Makes me appreciate retirement. For the old guys still in/close to retirement...hang a blank 214 at the finish line.
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This is one of the biggest mysteries to me. In Germany the brigade runs uniform was no pants but to wear shorts, sweat top, hat and gloves. I never understood that logic. How can it be cold enough for hat and gloves but, not pants?
I'm from Upstate New York if you feel cold and want to wear pants it's ok. It appears uniformity and machoness can trump common sense in the military.
I'm from Upstate New York if you feel cold and want to wear pants it's ok. It appears uniformity and machoness can trump common sense in the military.
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SP5 Paul Riley
I spent 18 months in Germany, it was cold, we did 5 mile runs every morning and if we fell out the morning run, we had to run again in the evening, we never wore pants ever it was a very cold place.
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