What is the significance of a reflective PT Belt? Is it a sign of risk aversion? Who really wore these in a combat zone?

2015-02-14T12:55:33-05:00

This is a free for all post as you see fit and if you disagree then say so.

We have all seen them. Some other things to consider. What do other branches think? I never belonged to a unit that wore them in a combat zone; the units that did wear them in combat seemed to also suffer from poor leadership, morale, and compentance (not individual but as a team).
Where would we be without these reflective belt over our camo?

Survey is who worn them in a comabt zone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmcBBwnjo5U

Jungle Recon's Reflective Belt PSA (Animated)

SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://goo.gl/CDdd8w Action Figure Therapy’s Jungle Recon's Reflective Belt PSA Animated And In Full Color. What Does A Reflective Belt Prote...

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Feb 14 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-02-14T13:10:54-05:00

Yeah, I don't recall ever wearing one on VBC...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 14 at 2015 1:16 PM

2015-02-14T13:16:02-05:00

I voted on a technicality.

Reflective Belts weren't a "thing" when I was still in. If we had organized PT during the hours of Dark (Dusk, Dawn, or accompanying Twilights), we had to carry flashlights and the lead/tail people had to wear roadguard vests, when on the main roads.

If we did a BN hike, the lead/tail guys had the vests on, just so we knew they were.

I do not recall ever wearing them in Kuwait.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-02-14T13:57:46-05:00

If it was not for my glow belt I would be dead, it stopped the 60mm in the air and made it turn around thus killing the crew.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Feb 14 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-02-14T14:26:49-05:00

Oh! I misunderstood that. I thought it said "radioactive" belt!

Now that I think about it, they're both pretty stupid. One's a little more obviously stupid than the other...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-02-14T14:34:40-05:00

Had to wear one one for the little over a month I rotted on BAF. I completely agree with the statement about the connection to PT belt use and leadership and quality of unit.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-02-14T15:03:11-05:00

So there was passing through on my home to my new born daught when the C130 I was taking to Kuwait. When a sand storm forced us to divert. I decided to hang with Aircrew so I wouldn't miss the flight later. Wjen we went to the DFAC we weren't allowed in because we didn't have reflective belts. A load master laughed and was locked up by a Senior NCO and told he didn't have the right because he was a POG. At this point became unglued and jumped of the group. I said "At ease Sergeant, are you an 11 series" he said "no sir! Shy". I said "do you even know what a POG is, it is People Otherthan Grunts, and Grunts don't wear reflective belts in combat". Then I got locked up by a guy in PTs and told me not to call his guys POGs. I let him know with all do respect I didn't start this. Then a pilot O-6 walked up coined me and he told the guy in PTs he have two Airmen retrieve to go chow around back. So when I think of reflective belts I think of drama and that awesome coin I lost.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-02-14T15:25:28-05:00

We had to wear it because it was a mass punishment from the BC. The punishment started before I got there. We had to wear it 24/7. If you were in Leatherneck recently, you know how well lit most of the areas were. OH! I miss the cook house on the Bastion side.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Feb 14 at 2015 3:26 PM

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FOB Sykes Iraq...2009-2010.

The "policy" was you wore your reflective belt on the FOB. Not sure if it saved my life or not, but I did not get run over by a tank during that tour...

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Feb 14 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-02-14T15:45:16-05:00

I have never understood why reflective materiel isn't used in the PT uniform....and ditching the belt...

Or, hell, just make it deer Hunter Orange!!!!

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 14 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-02-14T16:27:04-05:00

The reason I never wore it in a combat zone was I never got to serve in combat zone. I will say I wore it with pride in Bosnia because it was the magic Kevlar and flak vest i.e. if you were in pt uniform you were the reflective belt instead of your Kevlar and body armor.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 6:27 PM

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Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 6:27 PM

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Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Feb 14 at 2015 7:21 PM

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It was mandatory! I understand that when MRAP's drive by they create dust and brown out effects, but there for don't walk in traffic, or don't run in front of one. especially at night!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 7:57 PM

2015-02-14T19:57:08-05:00

I wore mine down-range when I went running on our dimly-lit roads at dawn. Did it keep me safer? I dunno, but at least I'm here to write about it.

When we arrived in country, a rumor went around through PNN (Privates News Network) that the reason we were required to wear PT belts is that some poor joe was killed in Iraq after being run over in the dark. While any of us would be willing to die for our country by IED or mortar, frigging NO ONE wants to die by being run over by a jingle truck.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 14 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-02-14T20:20:12-05:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, I am proud and delighted to say that I never wore one anywhere, because I retired before they were created!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 14 at 2015 8:22 PM

2015-02-14T20:22:44-05:00

In Mosul,rockets and mortars rained down on us daily. They loved targeting the scout helicopters and several took lateral frag damage. The decision was finally made.........

Response by SPC Larry Buck made Feb 14 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-02-14T20:25:44-05:00

Well I was not in combat, never saw PT belts in uniform except ruck marches at night, but to safely say this way...
"Did you see the isis photo of them in our jarhead uniform?" I say that way to prove point, " tell terrorist undercover as one of us, he's a jarhead and put your arm around him! " Your friends now, a real Marine would stomp your head in!! The PT belt is US Military marker to avoid civilian and terrorist interlopers causeing problems..
" as Johnny Cochran ," if it don't fit you must aquit (or accuse in this case! )

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:14 PM

2015-02-14T23:14:03-05:00

Although I never wore one I did receive a ticket in KAF in 2010 for not wearing a PT while in my ACUs. Someone looking for an NCOER/OER bullet can say they increased safety but making Soldiers look like morons wearing the belt in a combat zone.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:32 PM

2015-02-14T23:32:22-05:00

Extrape special original

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:34 PM

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:37 PM

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This would actually be cooler

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:38 PM

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:56 PM

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Real men of genius

https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/show_picture.pl?l=english&cat=pics&c=pf&q=reflective+belt+funny&h=360&w=480&th=120&tw=160&fn=hqdefault.jpg&fs=8.2 k&el=boss_pics_1&tu=http:%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DHN [login to see] 63150527%26pid%3D15.1%26H%3D120%26W%3D160&rl=NONE&u=https:%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKWGPJSjZGHw&udata=0ec1e728f65e4878fbf1eb136a9ed2e5&rid=MALOMNTRPOOO811JXXJSU&oiu=http:%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FKWGPJSjZGHw%2Fhqdefault.jpg

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:33 AM

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmcBBwnjo5U

Jungle's Reflective Belt PSA

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:33 AM

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:39 AM

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmcBBwnjo5U

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:40 AM

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XOsJm7xN92o#

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:40 AM

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ArgJgYACdso#

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:41 AM

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5cArhIKHaM#
Hitler and reflective belts

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:42 AM

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GEjheE0Kl3s#

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:44 AM

2015-02-15T01:44:09-05:00

http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/08/army-increases-combat-effectiveness-with-more-reflective-belts-extremely-safe-combat-patrols/

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Feb 15 at 2015 2:22 AM

2015-02-15T02:22:46-05:00

I wore it in combat. It was part of the uniform and I followed/enforced orders. In my private thoughts, I didn't understand and believed it was ridiculous.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Feb 15 at 2015 2:53 AM

2015-02-15T02:53:26-05:00

wish there was another to choose from....at Camp Q-west South of Mosul...the 101st CSM did enforce the issue.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 15 at 2015 3:05 AM

2015-02-15T03:05:52-05:00

PT Belts are for PT... but we had troops wear them in theater to keep trucks and vehicle from hitting them (this happened regularly) ...These belts are important"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 3:30 AM

2015-02-15T03:30:22-05:00

Personally I feel that the reflective belt was a result of field grade officers and Senior NCOs to operate their air conditioned Non Tactical Vehicles in something other than a fully lit, day light environment.

As bad as that sounds I have not had a close call with a tactical vehicle yet, they have ground guides and are big and operated with care. We had a few people run over by NTVs and one killed. Most NTVs are in the possession of senior personnel, so I shove the blame on them.

Really I spent the first 12 years of my career in light and noise discipline an never saw or heard of people getting run over, but you put civilian cars in the mix and people think they are back on the block.

I am way to junior to recommend replacing all NTVs with four gator type vehicles of some description for safety and economy terms.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 7:39 AM

2015-02-15T07:39:18-05:00

FOB Wright (Asadabad), Afghanistan:

You could not operate the Gator unless you were wearing a reflective belt. This policy is still in effect in Afghanistan at other FOBs. I still cannot understand the rationale behind this decision.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-02-15T08:23:29-05:00

I think there needs to be another option. I wore it under something so I could produce it only when absolutely necessary, and not look like a tool.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 15 at 2015 8:39 AM

2015-02-15T08:39:16-05:00

Back in the good old days before rules became ramped on Victory Base, I never used a reflective belt while running and never had a problem. Today it seems like everyone wants to CYA. Of course a while back there weren't so many distractions while driving like mobile phones, smart phones, texting while driving. I remember ground guides, when we went on runs we had crossing guards who rotated in the formation.

Glad I'm retired.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 9:08 AM

2015-02-15T09:08:45-05:00

Al Udeid...where I had to wear it even on sidewalks closed to vehicle traffic. Where you could be turned away from the chow hall for not having one.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-02-15T12:10:37-05:00

Wore one in Iraq. "Let's wear bright reflective belts over our camo so we can be seen at night!"

Good Idea Fairy - 1 U.S. Army - 0

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Feb 15 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-02-15T15:28:17-05:00

well I like this...however this isn't where the term Fog of War came from

Response by SSG Dan McIntosh made Feb 16 at 2015 8:40 AM

2015-02-16T08:40:37-05:00

There was not an option for: I wore it in a combat zone, not during actual combat and I thought it was dumb while wearing it. Had there been this option, that's the one I would have chosen.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-02-16T09:20:27-05:00

We had to wear these at COB Speicher in Iraq. However, 3-10 GSAB had the reflective belt down to an art form. Ours were color-coded by rank so no Officers would miss a salute after dark. Junior Enlisted wore yellow, NCOs wore green, and Officers wore blue. Our Warrant Officer pilots initially refused to abide by this until the Company Commander issued a direct order for them to comply. We joked that the bad guys would know who to shoot first...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-02-16T10:35:32-05:00

This actually made the official Army's top ten dumbest rules list... I understand the need for them especially during night ops but who wants to standout in a combat situation? Not I... I actually served with a guy that got shot in the neck wearing a pt belt while performing guard duty in a tour @Balad

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 16 at 2015 1:50 PM

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I remember standing in line for chow in Iraq and seeing this poster where some clown had his Sun, Wind, and Dust goggles on and he was telling how it saved his sight after being IEDed. I thought, "Why are we not making Humvee armor out of these goggles if they work so well?" I mean if a piece of plastic can stop a piece of metal traveling at 100+ MPH then it should make a vehicle impervious to attack.

You just can't fix stupid.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 16 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-02-16T14:36:38-05:00

Even Superman wore a reflective belt.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Feb 16 at 2015 7:20 PM

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Sir, respectfully, command looks out for its troops. PT belts are a sign of caring.

What do you think of PT belts?

Response by SFC Howard Kempf made Feb 16 at 2015 9:52 PM

2015-02-16T21:52:15-05:00

It was almost as stupid as running APFT in a combat zone.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 10:15 AM

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My first thought was: "Somebody needed an Army Achievement Medal." My second thought: "Maybe somebody didn't have the good sense to move to right when a car was coming." (I held off answering as long as I could.)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 11:08 AM

2015-02-17T11:08:07-05:00

Kind of defeats the purpose of being tactical.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 1:22 PM

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Every time I woke up at night and had to go take a leak, it saved me from all danger and it also kept my aim true. It also saved my life during daylight hours when I traveled thru Bagram

Response by MSG David Johnson made Feb 17 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-02-17T13:24:22-05:00

There were places you wouldn't be granted entry without them. Moving around to the different FOB's, LSA's, Camp's and basically any place inside the wire you had to have them to gain entry to the PX, gym, entertainment center, movies, I think you get the point. They were not worn outside the wire by any of our TF, but I did hear of some units that required them any where after dark.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 17 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-02-17T13:55:50-05:00

I wore them in both Iraq AND Afghanistan. Of course, only while on the FOB/Base....but still... I wore it in shame at home station also.... SURELY, I can make my own safety decisions and cross the road without being hit by a car..... My wife almost took out a 4 star general with her car....he came out of nowhere and ran directly into traffic....and HE looked surprised that a car may actually hit him....disco belt and all....(of course, this same idiot also ran on the active runways and actually delayed flights because of it.)

Response by SFC Rodrick Carter made Feb 17 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-02-17T14:50:14-05:00

When I was stationed in Afghanistan, we never wore it out on missions but whenever I was in Bagram, you had to wear it after 1700 hrs. It was pretty admin there and many civilian and military personnel would run up and down the hard ball. I could see the need for it because Bagram was a huge base but it felt silly knowing we were in a combat zone as if getting hit by a moving vehicle was the least of your worries.......ijs

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 4:59 PM

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The PT belt saved my life!!! I got a ticket on Disney in Bahgram for not having one on. A soldier quickly corrected me. Later that night, a mortar round came across the airfield and missed me by a mile or two. All because my new reflective belt guarded like an invisible shield. I love the PT belt. Over the next fifteen months in KAF, constant bombardments night after night and I was never hit. All because that little yellow reflective belt saved me time and time again. I even purchased them in blue, orange, green and yellow.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 5:33 PM

2015-02-17T17:33:40-05:00

I love how it is a BELT but had to wear it like a sash. We did convoys and heaven forbid you get to a COB/FOB and not have a reflective belt. They would call your BN TOC! SMDH Seems like people were more worried about a reflective belt than the other gear needed. Anyone remember you couldn't wear a specific color because that meant you were "open for business"?

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Feb 17 at 2015 6:44 PM

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Wore them in Iraq. Always felt like we were making it easier to be targeted at night.

Response by PO2 Terri Myre made Feb 17 at 2015 6:59 PM

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I only wore mine on base. We had no street lights so it was basically for our safety if we happened to be walking/running along the side of the road.

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Feb 17 at 2015 7:00 PM

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Don't need any belt when working out in the base pool!

Response by SSG Cory Bacon made Feb 17 at 2015 8:21 PM

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Also used to identify red-phasers at RSP lol

Response by SSG Claude Pinner made Feb 18 at 2015 7:59 AM

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From a safety point of view, I can see where leadership would want their troops to wear it. The sand storms were pretty hairy and visibility was horrid. However, the reflective belt only works as well as those idiots who do not pay attention to their surroundings. As far as my personal opinion goes...they should not be worn while deployed.

Response by PO3 David Davis made Feb 18 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-02-18T10:26:01-05:00

I would not want to have that on in the field. That seems to be giving away ypur position. Stong positivity of being shot.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Feb 24 at 2015 8:09 AM

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More absurdity!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 3:36 AM

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 5:31 AM

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmcBBwnjo5U

Jungle Recon's Reflective Belt PSA (Animated)

SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://goo.gl/CDdd8w Action Figure Therapy’s Jungle Recon's Reflective Belt PSA Animated And In Full Color. What Does A Reflective Belt Prote...

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 5:34 AM

2015-03-06T05:34:40-05:00

We were forced to wear it in IRAQ when in PTs or at Night if we were on the FOB. Missions and outside the wire absolutely not.

The unit and location I am currently in does not require a PT belt. The CDR says that if the PT instructor gives a proper safety brief then that should be covered.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 8:47 AM

2015-03-06T08:47:26-05:00

Our BG in charge of our unit and camp found them to be stupid and ordered us not to wear them while in a combat zone. The exception was if we had to go to BAF. He got outranked there.

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Mar 6 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-03-06T09:20:43-05:00

I was lucky enough to be one of the few Air Force guys stationed with Marines at Al Taqqadum in Iraq. They didn't wear their PT while I was there, so I didn't either.

I did have to wear it during the few trips to Balad and when I rotated out through Kuwait. It still makes absolutely ZERO sense to me that you'd wear a PT belt in theater.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 10:26 PM

2015-04-01T22:26:53-04:00

It's too bad the military can't just issue common sense instead of requiring ridiculous reflective belts or vests. It's too easy... First example: Look left. Look right. Is there a car coming? No? Good to go. Yes? Wait till it passes. Good to go. Second example: Massive machinery operating in low illumination areas around the FOB... Walk well around the machine... Good to go. Civilians manage to survive the terrifying streets of suburbia every day, I think Soldiers could someday, maybe, be trusted to do the same.

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made May 3 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-05-03T09:30:19-04:00

I have gone and read the comments and got the idea that they are like a the cone of shame for a dog. Lol yes the belt is good for doing pt this is why it started out being called a pt belt not a fix all for all uniform issues

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 3 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-05-03T15:17:22-04:00

I am glad the British wore red.

Response by Cpl Kristoffer Mischel made May 6 at 2015 8:55 PM

2015-05-06T20:55:11-04:00

During my time in the Corps I never had to wear my reflective belt. Toward the end of my tour in the Corps we all were issued the belts and the command decision, from both SNCO's and officers, was that they were stupid and we were told not to wear them. That was in garrison. There is no way that I would have worn that thing during a COMBAT deployment. That's just asking for becoming a bigger target.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 12:55 PM

2016-01-11T12:55:54-05:00

When deployed at Kandahar, there were SNCOs at every entrance to the Boardwalk, the most lit up place there at night. Asking people about their reflective belts. Granted, there was no one out in the pitch black roads to see if there people wearing them. I considered the entire thing a waste of man power and time.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Jan 11 at 2016 7:35 PM

2016-01-11T19:35:17-05:00

it was the most fuckarded thing of fucktardia to wear a pt belt in a combat zone

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Jan 11 at 2016 7:39 PM

2016-01-11T19:39:13-05:00

it was the most fucktarded thing of fucktardia to wear a PT belt in a combat zone. I got to theater and they told me I had to go to the PX and buy a PT belt I about shit myself.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jan 12 at 2016 9:14 AM

2016-01-12T09:14:14-05:00

Look, it gets really dark in the middle east. No one out on patrol actively engaging the enemy is wearing a reflective belt. I wore one when I was deployed. They look silly but they could save you from getting run over by a vehicle. People on work sites where construction helmets. Wear your belt with pride!

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Feb 17 at 2016 9:23 AM

2016-02-17T09:23:06-05:00

I guess the voting is over I can't vote but would go with number 2! Yes I wore my combat sash with ordered disgust!