What do you think about different color PT belts for NCOs, Officers, and Junior Enlisted?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 17:21:08 -0400

Was at Fort Bliss last year and noticed Officers and NCOs wore green PT belts and Junior Enlisted wore the standard yellow.

Do you think color separating the leaders from the Soldier is necessary or does it reinforce a separation among leaders and Soldiers?

My opinion:
For the sake of one standard and one team, different color PT belts should not be worn within a unit. That' why rank can be pinned on belts.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2014 5:30 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 17:30:57 -0400

I think if you are all part of one unit, the belts should all be the same color. Conformity and standardization will go a long ways in team building.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 21 at 2014 8:00 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:00:38 -0400

2LT Wolf.....I think it is a good idea because if a Officer is walking along passing by a single or group of soldiers it will help to recognize the color to render a salute.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 21 at 2014 8:42 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:42:01 -0400

PT Belts=dumb
Rank Specific PT Belts=more dumber

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jun 21 at 2014 8:55 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:55:04 -0400

What is the real point of the PT Belt? First and foremost it should be a safety device... now it is being used in a dual-purpose as an identification device. I am all about customs & courtesies, but I am about practicality as well. I do *not* think it is necessary to differentiate ranks during PT. PT/PRT is for physical conditioning. It's messy, sweaty, hard work (at least it should be). If you're doing it right, the only time you should need to salute is when the Colors are raised. After that everyone should be heavily physically engaged. AR 600-25 states that Soldiers need not salute if engaged in routine work, engaged in sports, in formation or where it would present a safety hazard. I think all of this applies during PT. After PT all anyone should care about is getting a shower. Just my two cents...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 9:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 21:05:46 -0400

Forget the belt. Design the shirts in three different reflective colors and have one color for officers, one for NCOs and one for enlisted. I have provided a concept sketch below:

I would not stop at putting rank on the PT belt. I want my full rack and Scare Me badges. I would also encode the belt with a CAC microchip and SMART card so that I can access buildings and buy Fritos at the PX. Oh, and my Rally Point score as well... I want to know if the person I encounter on the track is more or less influential than I.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 21 at 2014 9:44 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 21:44:21 -0400

Sir, with all due respect. PT belts are ridiculous. Different color PT belts to differentiate the ranks is even more ridiculous. Putting rank on PT belts seems a bit over the top. If you are a Senior NCO or Officer in a unit, the troops know who you are. If anyone is concerned about missing a salute while doing PT, they are missing the point of PT.

As far as units wearing similar colored belts for that unit, and it being good for "team building" I don't see that wearing a reflective belt would make me feel "teamy". It tends to make me feel childish.

The PT uniforms all have reflective material in them now (well, AF does) and they still want us wearing the silly belts.

I am for safety, but holy cow, do we go overboard on so many levels that I am beginning to wonder how we manage to get anything done anymore.

You may have picked up on the fact that I am not keen on the belts. Not going to even get started on the motorcycle/reflective vest argument.

Response by SSG Jeremy Siebenaller made Jun 21 at 2014 9:51 PM

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 21:51:25 -0400

Let me tell you something...PT belts for the morning hours when its already daylight, and the roads are shut down for PT....I mean....Need I say more?!? PT belts for night time, there are these things call "gyms" or Hyms....the G might be silent....If you feel the need to run at night, do it on the golf course like a normal humanbeing (Ft.Polk). HOWEVER, I have DEFINITLY gotten my ass hemmed up fairly decent because I've said so "not so very professional" words to an individual whom looked to be 12 while in PT or acting like a total F$#K bag in formation during PT. If we must wear PT belts...and the PT uniform for enlisted isn't different than officers...than yes...please save us the embarrassment and color code the damn things!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 10:25 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:25:22 -0400

I like it. I was brand new not too long ago and it helped me recognize who was who very quickly. As a soldier, I don't mind nor do I care if my belt is a different color than yours. If you walk by with your blue belt, I will salute you and if an NCO walks by with their green belt, I will greet them.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 21 at 2014 10:34 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:34:01 -0400

If the bottom line is PT safety, Then the safest thing to do is not do PT.

If PT HAS to be done, may I suggest the Red Man suit or if the budget is an issue one of those party rental sumo wrestlers suits, with helmet. both built for comfort and padded safety.

Now if you go with the sumo suit, I would go with service color Mawashis (the loin cloth thing-ee) with branch color, nametape and rank options. :-)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 11:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 23:16:47 -0400

Seems to me that this was a GFI created by someone who has an overwhelming desire to be saluted at all times of the day. Perhaps if soldiers saw their leaders more they would recognize them in PT's and wouldn't need a color coordinated formation. Just because the first part of the word Officer is OFFICE doesn't mean they have to stay there all the time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 12:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 00:33:37 -0400

I think I've posted this before but don't remember.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Jun 22 at 2014 12:54 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 00:54:51 -0400

I believe that everyone should wear the UNIFORM the same

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 22 at 2014 1:26 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 01:26:40 -0400

The only reason for that crap is because officers can't figure out there is no rank on the PT uniform so you don't have to worry about saluting when you are working out.
Translated, stop worrying about your dang salute and start worrying about your workout.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 22 at 2014 3:58 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 03:58:28 -0400

If a unit feels they need that it should be their option, i have seen this in training environments where it was very useful, other than that it seems pointless.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 22 at 2014 6:18 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 06:18:00 -0400

Hey LT, was this discussion started because some 1LT you know got POd because you didn't salute him?

Say it ain't so! :-0

If so, please see the posts by CPT Private RallyPoint Member and LTC Private RallyPoint Member on this most grievous issue.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 9:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 09:17:45 -0400

If you look at the new Army and Air Force IPFU all the writing is already reflective. PT belts have always has been a waste off money.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 10:42 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:42:04 -0400

I am fan of the different colored PT Belts. It isn't about separating the ranks it’s about being able to identify leaders. I've ran into the situation before the change where I’m out running and see a Soldier who is out of Regulation in some shape or form and when I approach them to make a correction they act like I’m a private fresh out of AIT and ignore me. That’s when it becomes more than just a quick fix. But back to the original point, identifying yourself as a leader lets others know who you are. I would go a step further and have officers wearing a different color so that when out and about they can be rendered the proper respect.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Jun 22 at 2014 3:18 PM

1SG Frank Rocha — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 15:18:44 -0400

As rediculous as this idea is, it pains me to admit that on a recent deployment the army national guard brigade I was serving with employed that exact standard. NCO's wore green pt belts, lower enlisted wore the yellow. officers wore blue, warrants wore white.

Additionally, those in key leadership assignments had their rank sewn on the belt.

That said, I didn't see any improvement in any way other than seeing a bunch of soldiers looking different instead of "uniform". It most definitely didn't change how we recognize officers or enlisted (why would you want the enemy to be able to easily recognize officers from enlisted while in the field anyway?).

As far as identifying leaders, they already wear their rank on the belt so there is no practical or rational reasoning for making the colors different.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 7:42 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:42:07 -0400

We don't wear different colored ACUs, we put rank/name on to show who is who. Everyone just wear the exact same color/model PT belt (for uniformity sake) and allow the rank/name to be put on the belt. Problem solved.....oh wait then that would make sense, I forgot!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2014 8:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 20:47:32 -0400

Real easy answer here... If the Army meant for rank, in any form, to appear on the IPFU they would have put it in AR 670-1. That is all.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2014 8:50 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 20:50:13 -0400

Beam me up Scotty....there's no intelligent life discernable. These people are so rank conscious they're even considering coloring their shirts. Next thing you know they'll be wearing ridiculous COLORED reflective belts with their ranks sewn on........

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 23 at 2014 9:51 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:51:11 -0400

How about we ditch the useless belt altogether! I mean seriously, all PT routes are blocked and guarded by Soldiers. Unit already use different colored ones, some units actually PLACE RANK on the belt! Craziness I tell you when we developed the reflective ARMY and A for a reason, but then again, CSMs and Safety officers will always win this one. At least the Army 380-5 now allows motorcyclist to not have to wear them anymore except during hours of darkness......that is unless you are in the 101st.....still mandatory on and off post.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2014 6:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 18:52:04 -0400

I'm at Fort bliss now and officers wear blue, NCO's wear green, junior enlisted yellow, hospital red. Plus the rank must be in a specific location. . I don't like it bc soldiers end up having to buy everything themselves since there is very Little money for supply to keep an adequate amount on hand. .

Response by SPC Brian Jones made Jun 25 at 2014 6:52 AM

SPC Brian Jones — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:52:10 -0400

Sure why not, just like I am very much for saluting officers in high combat theaters.

As a motorist it allows the driver to know which one is worth more points.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 25 at 2014 12:10 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:10:39 -0400

No PT/Reflective belt needed!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 11:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 23:44:09 -0400

Honestly we should do away with PT belts. Have you seen the new IPFU Jackets? Good night! Its blinding! Plus, it comes in an ACU pattern! (Waving my imaginary pistols in the air while say that)
If we are to keep wearing PT belts then I agree with just a few colors. Yellow (junior enlisted), green (NCOs), and blue (Officers). Yep its a dead give away I am at Bliss.
For those of saying: Its a safety hazard to salute while conducting PT. Well I for one am not going to stop working out just to stand up and salute. Running is a different story.
Also, yes you should know who is who in your own unit but there are those that are in different units demanding the salute when Soldiers are going to PT and leaving PT
......and there are my two cents

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 9:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 21:02:15 -0400

The belts are stupid enough. Don't try and church it up.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 6:48 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 06:48:16 -0400

When I first got to 2CR, not yet a member of my unit - but in-processing was backed up so I had to wait to in-process, I had to pull CQ. While, a soldier in regular PTs came into the building and looked at me angry because I was just staring at him. He then said, "What, I get not proper customs and courtesies!?!?" I assumed he was at least a Senior NCO so I stood at Parade Rest, and said that I was sorry. He then asked if I had any clue who he was, which I didn't. He was our OPs SGM. That is a rare, extreme case and he was probably a little too harsh for someone who had been in Germany on three days - but if he was wearing something to distinguish himself from other soldiers I would have been able to render the proper respects.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2014 11:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 23:00:33 -0500

Bliss has now moved to 3 different colors separating Officera, NCOs and enlisted. Thought it was a little weird when I got here.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 3:05 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 15:05:39 -0500

It is pretty awesome that you guys put this much thought and discussion into the PT belt debate.

Now if we could only focus this on solving world hunger or solving our national debt!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 26 at 2014 11:50 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 23:50:30 -0500

Army must hate us AF guys and our rainbow of reflective belts. I have always wore a blue one...because I like blue.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 26 at 2014 11:58 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 23:58:10 -0500

I want a purple reflective belt with decorations on there from Hobby Lobby but I know I can't do that or at least wearing in uniform.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 3:28 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 03:28:45 -0500

I hate reflective belts no matter what color they are.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 3:05 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 15:05:39 -0500

I think we need to forget the whole rank thing during PT. If we color coordinate by officer and enlisted do we add one for warrant? How does a LT in one company know if someone in the same color pt belt is a LT or a young looking CPT or MAJ in another battalion that is walking by or even better a young CPT know if a person that joined later in life is a LTC or just a LT?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 8:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:13:56 -0500

This happened in my old unit. Only thing i saw it kept rank structure during pt. Other than that it was equal pt.

Response by Sgt Richard Schooler made Dec 29 at 2014 3:47 PM

Sgt Richard Schooler — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:47:33 -0500

The Military is a team concept. Thumbs down on different color PT belts.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made May 18 at 2015 11:02 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:02:20 -0400

I was at Ft. bliss and that I thought was pretty cool. You knew who you where addressing at least. I know the yellow was Jr, Green was NCO and blue was officer. My question was what was the Orange?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2016 5:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:21:26 -0500

The only thing stupider than PT belts period is different colored PT belts to show rank.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2016 8:28 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:28:13 -0500

I think the PT Belts should be burned and the person that thought of them should be hung.
However, if they have to be worn they should be uniform across the board.

Response by SGT Alicia Brenneis made May 6 at 2016 11:50 AM

SGT Alicia Brenneis — Fri, 06 May 2016 11:50:39 -0400

All of ft drum does this. Yellow for lower enlisted, orange for NCO and blue for officer. You were then required to salute while doing PT because officers were identifiable. It was a hot mess to me.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Jun 7 at 2017 3:18 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 03:18:29 -0400

All due respect, sir. You don't need to make Achmed's job any easier than it is already. Over.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jun 7 at 2017 8:48 AM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 08:48:56 -0400

ROTFLMAO PT belt segregation? What has the military come to?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 10:12 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:12:41 -0400

My first experience with this phenomenon was in Iraq 2008 while deployed with 3-10 GSAB. Officers wore blue, NCOs wore green, and Junior Enlisted wore yellow. I thought that wearing reflective belts in a combat zone was really dumb. Camouflage + reflective gear.... Yeah OK. I just chalked it up to letting the bad guys know who to shoot first, in case they're low on ammo.

As for putting rank on PT belts.... IMHO only those who are in love with their rank/authority do this. Your Soldiers should know who is what rank, and you shouldn't be messing with those who don't while you're doing PT. What next? Badges on PT belts?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 2:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 14:34:52 -0400

I think that the only thing that it does is allows for rank identification at PT. This way you will still salute an officer and still give the proper respect to an NCO.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jun 7 at 2017 5:18 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 17:18:52 -0400

Color code 'em so jihadis know which targets are high value! (Humor)

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 8 at 2017 1:21 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 01:21:56 -0400

Many years ago at Ft. Lee, I saw the cadre use a reflective vest with their last name and pin on rank. WTF!
I'm all for the Star Treck uniforms by CPT William Carraway.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 8 at 2017 2:44 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:44:29 -0400

After serving at Hood where there were oodles of troops from all different units running everywhere known to man; I would welcome the color coding as it can reduce the chances of young Soldiers loosing 20 pounds of ass when they don't take or execute an on the spot correction with the seriousness intended. Waiting to see the rank pinned to a belt before execution can be hazardous to ones health.

Not that I ever had to climb someone's ass because they thought an on the spot correction hollered from a stranger was optional or anything.

Response by SPC John Dodge made Mar 30 at 2018 10:46 PM

SPC John Dodge — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 22:46:16 -0400

Different colored PT belts is stupid.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 30 at 2018 11:16 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 23:16:37 -0400

A decision like that would be way over my pay grade, might even require Congressional Authorization