Posted on Aug 22, 2019
What socks are authorized with the OCP uniform during PT?
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I've read through 670-1 but found nothing stating the specific topic. The closest I can relate it to is the Army Combat Uniform section. Tan, Black and Green socks are the only authorized socks for the ACU. I got into a debate with a fellow soldier because I saw him wearing ankle socks. Even the SSG leading PT was wearing them. Everyone else had green. Our PT uniform was OCP slick with soft-shoes. I couldn't remember anything from regulation so I backed off.
I've always known it as green socks with soft-shoes if wearing the combat uniform. Is it stated somewhere?
I've always known it as green socks with soft-shoes if wearing the combat uniform. Is it stated somewhere?
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Physical Training
Uniforms Physical Training
Posted >1 y ago
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SPC (Join to see), tricky question, everyone in the scenario is technically wrong. FM 7-22 states: "All Soldiers in a unit PRT formation will wear the same uniform. The Army physical fitness uniform (PFU) and ACUs (as described in AR 670-1) with boots, ACH, IOTV, and weapon are appropriate uniforms for the conduct of PRT." AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1 both only list the boot as authorized footwear with the combat uniform.
So, regulatory guidance suggests that it is inappropriate to wear commercial running shoes with the combat uniform. However, if a local commander deviates from the guidance, rules for socks should default to what is authorized to wear for that footwear.
DA-Pam 670-1: "The cushion sole socks are worn by all personnel when wearing combat or organizationally issued boots... The socks are tan, green, or black, stretch type, calf-length with a cushion sole." and with the IPFU "Commanders may authorize wear of commercial running shoes with calf-length or ankle-length, plain white or black socks (no logos). If worn, ankle-length socks must cover the entire ankle bone and calf-length socks will end at the middle point between the ankle and the knee."
So, the least wrong would be to wear white or black socks with the running shoe.
So, regulatory guidance suggests that it is inappropriate to wear commercial running shoes with the combat uniform. However, if a local commander deviates from the guidance, rules for socks should default to what is authorized to wear for that footwear.
DA-Pam 670-1: "The cushion sole socks are worn by all personnel when wearing combat or organizationally issued boots... The socks are tan, green, or black, stretch type, calf-length with a cushion sole." and with the IPFU "Commanders may authorize wear of commercial running shoes with calf-length or ankle-length, plain white or black socks (no logos). If worn, ankle-length socks must cover the entire ankle bone and calf-length socks will end at the middle point between the ankle and the knee."
So, the least wrong would be to wear white or black socks with the running shoe.
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Suspended Profile
The uniform was modified to meet the PT needs for that day. I'm not saying you should not be curious, but if you had that much focus on others socks, did you even concentrate on the PT session? Coming from someone with experience in this field, dont beat yourself up over tiny things like this. If your focus is socks, so much to where you take it to social media, how much are you actually focusing on your job? I'm not saying uniform standards are not important...but just make sure you're prioritizing your concerns and efforts.
Suspended Profile
SFC Brad Porter
In zero ways was I being a "dick" I even admitted to doing these things in the past. So I was not being a "dick". I simply was implying to keep his eyes on the target and not get side tracked with things that do not directly impact his current mission at hand. I believe your take on my curiosity is a bit out of hand considering I was not being a "dick". But you are entitled to your opinion SFC
In zero ways was I being a "dick" I even admitted to doing these things in the past. So I was not being a "dick". I simply was implying to keep his eyes on the target and not get side tracked with things that do not directly impact his current mission at hand. I believe your take on my curiosity is a bit out of hand considering I was not being a "dick". But you are entitled to your opinion SFC
Suspended Profile
SFC Brad Porter
And I will keep my opinion professional but I will say that it's hard for me to understand where you're coming from. You are correcting me on the advice I gave a young soldier but you are calling me lame and a dick? Are you as a SFC setting the example for a SSG like myself to follow? Should I emulate your actions to the soldiers below myself?
And I will keep my opinion professional but I will say that it's hard for me to understand where you're coming from. You are correcting me on the advice I gave a young soldier but you are calling me lame and a dick? Are you as a SFC setting the example for a SSG like myself to follow? Should I emulate your actions to the soldiers below myself?
SSG(P) (Join to see)
I try to notice and observe as much as possible without distracting from the training, maybe SPC (Join to see) did as well?
I had an NCO that showed off his pink unicorn tall socks while wearing his OCP uniform. Then the next day did an inspection on all of us for any sock violations and had us lectured and smoked (I wasnt in the wrong but I had to lead it.) Too many leaders decide to pick and choose when to follow regulations and when to apply it.
I've come to social media, this one specifically, to seek guidance and learn something from those who have experienced far more than I. Or to see what the overwhelming consensus is to a debate/discussion. I wouldn't bother taking these things to Twitter or Facebook.
Personally SPC (Join to see) I would say ankle socks of any type are not allowed. It needs to cover the ankle and although I find no-show far more comfortable, I have a few pairs just for PRT. If the SSG leading PRT was wearing no-show socks and you trust their professionalism to bring up the AR for clarification there's no harm in it. Why not? You'll both have a better understanding of the reading and each other.
I had an NCO that showed off his pink unicorn tall socks while wearing his OCP uniform. Then the next day did an inspection on all of us for any sock violations and had us lectured and smoked (I wasnt in the wrong but I had to lead it.) Too many leaders decide to pick and choose when to follow regulations and when to apply it.
I've come to social media, this one specifically, to seek guidance and learn something from those who have experienced far more than I. Or to see what the overwhelming consensus is to a debate/discussion. I wouldn't bother taking these things to Twitter or Facebook.
Personally SPC (Join to see) I would say ankle socks of any type are not allowed. It needs to cover the ankle and although I find no-show far more comfortable, I have a few pairs just for PRT. If the SSG leading PRT was wearing no-show socks and you trust their professionalism to bring up the AR for clarification there's no harm in it. Why not? You'll both have a better understanding of the reading and each other.
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SPC (Join to see)
Firstly, thank you everyone for your time. Second, I feel I should add that this "debate" lasted the whole of 20-30 seconds. It kinda went like this;
Me- "Hey, you know you gotta wear green socks, right?"
PFC -"Actually you can wear this, it's at your own discretion."
Me- **In my head* "Ugh, one of these guys... I'll just go look up the reg."**
Me- Well I've never seen it posted anywhere. Oh, it's your turn to climb the rope."
*Resume PT*
Pretty much the gist of it. To the SSG, I understand what you're saying but it doesn't take a lot of effort to just eyeball people around me. I was trained to constantly be scanning, even today I catch myself doing it when I don't need to be, like in the DFAC. I used to tell myself, "Oh I'm just a sham-shield, I don't care". I learned eventually that that mentality is for losers and idiots that don't give two flying F*cks about the Army or anyone else but themselves. I changed myself for my career. I don't like to shy-away from opportunities to improve my fellow soldiers. However, I do pick my battles and the time and place where it happens.
Me- "Hey, you know you gotta wear green socks, right?"
PFC -"Actually you can wear this, it's at your own discretion."
Me- **In my head* "Ugh, one of these guys... I'll just go look up the reg."**
Me- Well I've never seen it posted anywhere. Oh, it's your turn to climb the rope."
*Resume PT*
Pretty much the gist of it. To the SSG, I understand what you're saying but it doesn't take a lot of effort to just eyeball people around me. I was trained to constantly be scanning, even today I catch myself doing it when I don't need to be, like in the DFAC. I used to tell myself, "Oh I'm just a sham-shield, I don't care". I learned eventually that that mentality is for losers and idiots that don't give two flying F*cks about the Army or anyone else but themselves. I changed myself for my career. I don't like to shy-away from opportunities to improve my fellow soldiers. However, I do pick my battles and the time and place where it happens.
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While a lot of people already answered your question based on modified uniforms for PT and commanders discretion I am going to answer another question I don't think you realize you asked.
When reading any regulation that talks about the ACU that is the OCP. OCP is not different than ACUs it is a type of ACU.
ACU is the Army Combat Uniform. The old grey color we wore is the UCP Universal Combat Pattern and OCP is the Operational Combat Pattern.
OCP and UCP are patterns of the ACU.
So the real answer to all is tan, black, or green socks.
2nd answer no matter whether it is PT shoes or booots DA PAM 670-1 says socks will fully cover the ankle.
When reading any regulation that talks about the ACU that is the OCP. OCP is not different than ACUs it is a type of ACU.
ACU is the Army Combat Uniform. The old grey color we wore is the UCP Universal Combat Pattern and OCP is the Operational Combat Pattern.
OCP and UCP are patterns of the ACU.
So the real answer to all is tan, black, or green socks.
2nd answer no matter whether it is PT shoes or booots DA PAM 670-1 says socks will fully cover the ankle.
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SPC (Join to see)
I definitely didn't ask that. I am fully aware of what ACU/BDU/UCP/OCP is. However, thank you for the advice. It is always helpful.
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