Does anyone know the origin of the reflective PT belt?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 17:49:36 -0500

I know that there's a lot of smart folks on here; maybe one of you can answer this. I remember having the mighty reflective PT belt issued to me back in the early '90's. But does anyone know the origin behind it? Thanks!

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 12 at 2013 12:47 PM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 12:47:45 -0500

That is an interesting question, not sure if we have anyone on here who knows or you may have to do what all us old folks do now a days is google it. Good luck and again good question.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Dec 12 at 2013 3:09 PM

1SG Frank Rocha — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 15:09:45 -0500

I found a forum where an old soldier reflected on an army times article from the early 90's. Apparently, the article had something to do with the fact that the pt uniform was the same color as the road. the reflective belt may have been born of this article.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 3:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 15:46:04 -0500

I hear McClellan instituted the reflective belt.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 12 at 2013 4:47 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 16:47:50 -0500

Easy one.....Satan.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 5:25 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:25:44 -0500

http://www.slideshare.net/mtairborne/reflective-moments

Reflective Moments

Great moments in reflective belt history November 2006

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 11:26 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:26:40 -0500

http://www.facebook.com/ptbelt

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2014 3:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 03:36:43 -0500

I think that the PT Belt was born on the same day the common sense died.

Response by PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner made Jul 26 at 2014 8:33 AM

PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 08:33:38 -0400

I am sure it has to do with some yahoo running someone over or almost getting run over!! The same reason there are warning labels to not use your Iron in the Bathtub. Or a five gallon bucket of Sterile water with a two inch opening has a drowning caution on the MSDS sheet!! Some one has done it!!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 26 at 2014 9:10 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 09:10:58 -0400

Some puzzle palace, desk-bound 1-star who wanted to make 2-star and had corporate contacts it the worlds of plastics and Velcro. The 2 got brought together in similar fashion to chocolate and peanut butter and voila, instead of a tasty peanut butter cup, out came the PT belt.

That's my story and I'm sticking too it!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 15 at 2015 9:39 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 09:39:01 -0500

I can take a guess.

On Quantico & Ft Belvoir,(Military Installations in the DC Metro Area) during the Mid/Late 1990s there was a BASE Order that required Runners to wear reflective apparel when running during hours of darkness, dusk, dawn, or accompanying twilights.

For those who have ever been to MCB Quantico, imagine a singular "U" shaped road, with two gates at the tips. Running is done "along" the main road, on adjoining running paths. During hours of darkness, there is a definite safety concern, and reflective clothing is just a good idea. Especially if PT Gear is OD Green.

My assessment is that, one of the several Army students on base, General Officers who visited the base, or a similar policy in effect at Ft Belvoir, or the Navy Yard, was deemed "a good idea."

It is really. Honestly having a reflective belt costs "nothing" in the grand scheme of things, and it just makes sense as a piece of protective equipment for a Service Member who is going to be on or about roads on a daily basis.

However, once it became "standard equipment," it went off the rails. Some go-getter PSG has their entire platoon wear them for PT, and a 1SG sees it, and then everyone is wearing them all the time, for everything.

Response by PVT Mark Grant made Oct 29 at 2015 2:26 PM

PVT Mark Grant — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:26:26 -0400

3m created reflected cloth to be used in re-entry from stave.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 29 at 2015 2:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:52:31 -0400

Genghis Khan?