What is appropriate female pool uniform?

1LT (Join to see)

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.

1LT (Join to see)

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.

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!

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.

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.

I say wear what you will on your time 1LT (Join to see) 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.

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!

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.

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.

I think CPT (Join to see) should sell some Rally Point bathing suits for pool pt!