Posted on Dec 10, 2013
Does anyone know the origin of the reflective PT belt?
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I know that there's a lot of smart folks on here; maybe one of you can answer this.<br><br>I remember having the mighty reflective PT belt issued to me back in the early '90's. <br><br>But does anyone know the origin behind it?<br><br>Thanks!<br>
Army
Uniforms
Physical Training
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 11
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SFC Robin Gates
That was hilarious and degrading!!!! But True Grit, what would John Wayne (The Duke) have done???
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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.
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Maj Ron Lobato
I can't say for Army, but I was at Camp Lejeune when base Commanding General nearly ran over a Marine who was jogging on the side of the road at night. Next week, he made a base order for everyone to wear reflective gear during darkness.
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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!
That's my story and I'm sticking too it!
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SGT (Join to see)
Are you speaking of General George B. McClellan?
This explains why the Union lost during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862.
This explains why the Union lost during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862.
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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.
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.
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SFC Robin Gates
It made it's appearance after the Banana suit disappeared!!!! Who remembers the the Banana suit????AHHHH. Painful!
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Capt Richard Desmond
This link pretty much encompasses its glorious history...
http://www.powershow.com/view/c008d-NjU5Y/Great_moments_in_reflective_belt_history_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
http://www.powershow.com/view/c008d-NjU5Y/Great_moments_in_reflective_belt_history_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
I did try to Google it. I even tried to see if it was in Wikipedia, but no such luck.
You would think that "maybe" someone would've wanted to take credit for implementing this piece of safety equipment into the ranks.
You would think that "maybe" someone would've wanted to take credit for implementing this piece of safety equipment into the ranks.
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SFC (Join to see)
Its just like the UCP pattern, no one wants credit for it nor will you be able to find it because no one wants that stain on their record.
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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!!
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