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
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Now that I am retired one of the things I like to do is step out onto my deck in the winter wearing shorts and T-shirt just so I can turn right around and go back in where it is warm.
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SFC Rich Combs
Up here in AK it's still 20F in the morning but I still going outside with just a pair of shorts......and then get right in my hot tub! :-)
Did the same at Ft Huachuca :-)
Did the same at Ft Huachuca :-)
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<p>Well Chief there are two issues here. As for the PT test it is up to each individual Soldier what they wear while doing the PT test minus when doing push ups. Each SM will remove the jacket while conducting push ups so that the arms can be seen to ensure they are fully extending.</p><p> </p><p>The second I have came to the conclusion (coming from 13 years in combat arms) the 1SGs have been through a great deal of physical stress and their bodies are broken down. If they run with no pants on when it is cold, then the cold air directly on their old knees keeps them numb!! That is the only logical explanation that I have been able to come up with.</p>
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SSG Dale London
I agree Top -- although I also think it has something to do with First Shirts believing that if they are miserable, then everybody ought to be miserable.
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First, I want to applaud you. I haven't seen a Warrant Officer PT in about 3 years. Second, I think the strategy is to try an acclimate you to the cold weather. If you wear full winters now. When it actually drops more you will end up wearing even more. Which can drastically effect how your body handles the cold in general. The Idea to help soldiers stay healthy. If they don't acclimate they will suffer down the line, especially when going out ot the field. Although some will suffer, it's actually better for the unit.
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SSG (Join to see)
We ran PT in starched cotton fatigues and combat boots and people are complaining about now
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
They have this wonderful concept in the civilian world, it's called layering. You put on multiple thin layers of warm, moisture wicking, non-cotton (cotton kills) clothes, adding or removing as needed to maintain a comfortable, temperature yet avoid sweating. I lived many years in the Adirondacks, worked in the woods, cross country skied, snowshoed, camped and was a founding member and training officer of a wilderness search and rescue team. We always layered up, and never, ever, ever wore cotton.
Any amount of acclimatization will not stave off frostbite or hypothermia, attempts to do so will only make you physiologically more vulnerable to injury due to cold muscles, and in the temperatures described, may in fact lead to hypothermia very quickly.
Any amount of acclimatization will not stave off frostbite or hypothermia, attempts to do so will only make you physiologically more vulnerable to injury due to cold muscles, and in the temperatures described, may in fact lead to hypothermia very quickly.
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SPC Robin Price-Dirks
I really hated getting my uniform reduced to t-shirts and pants in cold weather, didn't mind the boots though. It wasn't until I got out and got a competent doctor that my low body temp (96.0) and extremely low BP (80 over 30 at times) was diagnosed as low thyroid. I had hypothermia more than once in the ARMY and no amount of "acclimatization" helped. Sometimes guys need to think of others in the formation, not that it would have helped me. My teeth would chatter at 50 degrees sometimes, but it would have helped to split the unit into 2 groups. The polar bears and the hairless cats....ya know.
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GySgt James Marchinke
Those who are placed in charge of any given formation are appointed over everybody in that formation period.
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SGT Randall Smith
As a Buck Sgt I was a convoy commander. Often had a SSG or 1Lt try and over rank me on a convoy. Folks, it didn't work. First Sgt. explained to me that if I wanted to keep my stripes I would run the convoy as Commander and not let others walk over me. He would take care of any problems or complaints.
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Sgt Albert Castro
CSM Charles Hayden. LMAO I miss working with guys like you since I got out. You take care my Brother.
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This is just a recommendation in the manual not a requirement.. so it was explained to me when I brought this up this morning.
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I have watched first hand in Virginia CW2 Kantor; Soldiers falling and passing out in runs because they were overheated from wearing winter APFU's in 40 degree temps. I think during PRT warm-ups absolutely wear the pants but when getting to run ditch'em. They weigh down running pace and drag on windy cold days. I am an avid mud runner and 5K above runner and never wear pants regardless of temperature the core will know what to do and push heat where needed. I hate the long sleeve too. The collar is restrictive to bigger Soldiers and it doesn't wickaway as quickly as short sleeve does. Your not complaining in this discussion you have a valid point but the person in charge accepts responsibility for any hazardous or harful outcomes when downgrading or upgrading APFU wear. If it is cardio then ditch'em if it is Climbing or Military movement Drills 1&2 keep'em.
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SSG (Join to see)
Actually if that is the case they need to remove their jacket not their pants. Plus you lose more heat off your head than any other body part.
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GySgt (Join to see)
I agree. Ditch the pants. To the person that said lose the jacket...think of the circulatory system. Cool blood pumping from the extremities will keep the core cool, but return warm blood to the extremities. There is alot more physiology to get with the benefits of keeping your core warm over your legs but it is a bit much to explain here.
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
I mostly agree. When exercising hard, the first thing to come off is the hat, it's easy and the head is a huge radiator. I will usually lose several layers up top before I start losing the pants, but then again, I normally have multiple layers on if I will be outside for any length of time, (One or more polypropylene next to the skin, then varying weights of fleece or wool, with an outer layer of fleece, wool, or a shell made of breathable, wind resistant fabric on the outside, depending on the conditions I expect to face.) but then again I have always found my legs to chill quickly. I have stripped completely down to shorts and singlet on occasion for a race, but very rarely, and I always arranged to have someone to have my warm ups ready at the end. Actually, if you watch world class runners, many will wear a light form fitting set of warm ups under or in place of their shorts if the weather is cold.
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Because the army doesn't believe in or allow common sense, such as allowing soldiers to wear whatever is authorized for their comfort - there's really no other logical explanation.
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GySgt (Join to see)
Same issue in the Corps. However, I have found that there is, or has been, a reason for everything we do.
Ever see someone in full sweats, polypro, gloves and a beanie go on a 5 mile run? I have, they wound up in medical as a heat case. It was 30 degrees outside.
Ever see someone go on 10k hike with their cammies and polypro on under it? I have. They wound up a heat case at the base hospital. It was just above freezing.
Ever see someone in full sweats, polypro, gloves and a beanie go on a 5 mile run? I have, they wound up in medical as a heat case. It was 30 degrees outside.
Ever see someone go on 10k hike with their cammies and polypro on under it? I have. They wound up a heat case at the base hospital. It was just above freezing.
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SGT Chris Hill
That's mass punishment based off that individuals bad decision. Let's not forget the rest of the guys with common sense.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
You see the same thing when the Army won't let people wear fleece hats due to a 1 degree fluctuation in outside air temperatures.
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http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/12/soldiers-winter-gear-polartec/
I think of this every time I see one of these cold weather threads.
I think of this every time I see one of these cold weather threads.
New Winter Gear Will Soon Be Issued To Soldiers, Banned
Soldiers are soon going to be able to have the new PolarTec cold weather gear in their issued gear, which will be banned for use.
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