What is appropriate female pool uniform?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:26:40 -0400

In the past, I have always worn a very modest 1 piece swim suit during pool pt. However, at my new duty station the females wear their APFU shorts and t-shirt. From asking around, I have gathered there is no uniform standard saying females must wear APFU in the pool, also no one has confronted me saying my suit is inappropriate, but it does feel a bit faux pas to be the only female in a swim suit. Wondering if anyone had thoughts or advice! TIA

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 9 at 2014 1:30 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:30:49 -0400

I say wear what you will on your time 1LT Private RallyPoint Member as long as it is within the guidance listed in the pool's rules. If it is organized PT than the uniform is dictated so that may in fact be the only thing they want you to wear. Whenever we did drownproofing, the uniform was dictated as BDU's (ACU), PT's, and sometimes the post (Fort Irwin at the time) said absolutely no articles of TA-50 allowed PERIOD. If you have to do this before getting clarification, I'd show up with PT's like you have seen.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 9 at 2014 7:44 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:44:58 -0400

Ma'am, during my entire time on active duty, the training schedule dictated the time, place, and uniform for the days activities. If the training schedule stated the PT is at the pool, then it should also state the uniform (which during my time was always PT uniform). If the training schedule states 'appropriate attire' or something similar, then I would say you are fine, if it states PT Uniform, then in my opinion, you are out of uniform.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 9 at 2014 7:51 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:51:51 -0400

When my unit has done pool PT, it has always been in AF PTU's

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Oct 12 at 2014 1:08 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:08:36 -0400

When the uniform was PT uniform and not swimsuits I would still wear a one piece underneath. I did this because I had my shirt come up one time in the pool and I never wanted to show my underwear like that again. I caught some flak for it, but when I explained why I was always told I had a good point. Otherwise wear what you want. If it isn't unit PT, who cares what you wear (inside clothing regs of course)?

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Nov 4 at 2014 1:07 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:07:44 -0500

My thoughts are for you to wear your swimsuit ma'am. If you happen to draw unwanted attention, don't correct yourself since you're not doing anything wrong. Correct the soldiers who are looking.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 4 at 2014 2:39 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:39:32 -0500

Seems to me that the unit should designate the correct/desired uniform. If that has not happened, I would ask the commander to do so. Barring that, if no uniform is prescribed, I guess you are free to wear what you want, keeping in mind that you are an officer and, therefore, you should be setting an example. If you feel out of place in a swimsuit, that should be a clue.

What are the male soldiers wearing? The APFU? That should also be a clue as to what the uniform is.

If the AFPU is the designated or preferred uniform and wearing the APFU at the pool makes you uncomfortable (and I could see how it could, as it is not designed to be swimwear and could be "immodest"), I think it would be appropriate to wear a swimsuit under it, instead of standard underwear. Clearly, this appears to be a case of "common sense should prevail".

Take charge, LT, and have someone in authority specify the uniform or state that there is no requirement and people can wear what they want.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 4 at 2014 2:51 PM

MAJ Dallas D. — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:51:52 -0500

I agree with many of the responses here, I see no problem with it at all and have seen females wear 1 piece suits BUT the training schedule should dictate the uniform and therefore you would have to follow that.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 11:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:29:17 -0500

I think CPT Private RallyPoint Member should sell some Rally Point bathing suits for pool pt!

Response by LTC Stewart Stephenson made Jan 6 at 2015 1:04 PM

LTC Stewart Stephenson — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:04:38 -0500

As you asked about a unit function, there should be a published uniform (if only on the training schedule). As a leader, you must comply with the uniform and enforce that standard with your subordinates. If you're not sure, ask your company XO or commander.

For individual pool time, the local commander has the authority (and responsibility) to set the uniform standard to promote good order and discipline. You may be encountering a situation in which one or more subordinate leaders (Often NCO leaders) have established a stricter "standard" in response to a previous incident of "inappropriate" attire or of sexual harassment allegations.

In either case, I'd determine the official policy and move within it. I'll guarantee that you're not the only person who has wondered.

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Jan 6 at 2015 10:02 PM

SPC Daniel Edwards — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 22:02:37 -0500

There is "pool pt" in the Army? Never done it.

Probably the best thing to do is set a standard of a type of uniform that is functional so you can do whatever kind of pt one would do but is sensible and professional at the same time since the Army is trying to make everything else professional.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 5:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 17:37:22 -0500

LT,

First I find the majority of the responses above bordering on misogyny. You have two choices, wear PTs in which case I hope you are not there to swim.

It is a pool. You are in theory there to get wet. Wear attire designed to get wet. If you are there to exercise and swim then wear clothing that contributes to the task at hand.

Based on your profile picture you can be sure that men will be have badly. Welcome to the world of being an officer and learning how to issue a good correction (DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPER), a quiet mention that you had to think the unit needed additional SHARP training because of one individual might work.

However you can be assured that there are many female soldiers who would like to wear appropriate attire to the pool, however they feel they can not so this is one of those times where you can set an example.

If there is an issue I would request that there be a policy be issued with all consideration of Army Values and current SHARP policy. You will be promoted and far away before it ever gets approved.

Short version LT? Wear the suit, Swim, be an example.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 5:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 17:49:17 -0500

I love doing Pool PT (PRT) with my Soldiers (usually Staff or Leaders), but before my current assignment I did not have to think about this issue (female uniform for the pool).
With only male Soldiers, I would have them wear the APFU, or a dark colored trunk during our unit PT workout. Over time, we relaxed the color of the trunks, but most Soldiers wore APFU anyway.
With female Soldiers in the Battalion, the last time we did Leader Pool PT, I told everyone to wear appropriate swim attire which I said could be any color trunks for the males and either a one piece suit for the females, or if they prefered, trunks, etc. (No racing speedos or tri-shorts for the males.) My male Soldiers wore a variety of appropriate trunks (some wore APFU), my female Soldiers wore one-piece suits and/or shorts and shirts based on their discretion. We had no issues. No one felt out of place and we got a great workout combining swimming with pool exercises.

I agree with COL Jean (John) F. B. as well, take charge!

Response by Cpl Michael Wolf made Jan 13 at 2015 10:09 PM

Cpl Michael Wolf — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 22:09:34 -0500

I think is falls into the same category as running shoes, whatever your most comfortable in unless your platoon or company has an SOP that says otherwise.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 14 at 2015 12:44 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 12:44:30 -0500

This issue I can only speak to from Camp Taji, Iraq. I had a pilot who kept coming to the flight line tanned and one day I asked him how and more likely where he was getting so much sun. His reply was the pool! I did not know there was a pool on Taji, but he showed me photos and lets just say until CSM supervision, the female Soldiers were a tad bit working on serious attention in civilian two piece swim wear. Of course the command team was unaware of this activity and immediately restricted all female Soldiers to the APFU for the duration of the tour and suspected back to garrison pools also during unit pool activities.

My personal opinion will be restricted from discussion, merely stating fact to observations past.

Response by SGT Monika Sloan made Jan 28 at 2015 6:09 PM

SGT Monika Sloan — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:09:33 -0500

My old unit used to do pool pt once a week. All of us wore appropriate civilian attire. I think it just depends on the unit. Some other units doing pt were in their APFUs.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 6:48 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 06:48:32 -0500

When I was an BN XO, I would do pool PT with my staff, of which I had two female LTs. Both wore conservative 1 piece bathing suits and did just fine. At the same time, the males wore civilian swim suites (with one even wearing a skin time speedo type suit), all just fine. I would offer if the males are wearing their APFU (Tops and Bottoms), then I would too, since it would be a uniform thing at that point. However, if they are wearing swim trunks or even just APFU shorts, then you are probably good with what you are comfortable with. Depending on what the exercises you are doing in the pool pt, I would stay away from 2 piece bathing suits, as mishaps could interfere with the exercises (If you are doing a lot of getting in and out of the water, water polo, etc). Just my two cents!