What socks are authorized with the OCP uniform during PT?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:26:07 -0400

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?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 9:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:30:06 -0400

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.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 22 at 2019 9:38 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:38:14 -0400

We wore white sports or crew socks with ours.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 9:40 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:40:53 -0400

For "modifed" pt it could be what is put out. Pike said prior. It's not something that even needed to come up as a question. I wear gray/black socks usually in my ocps, I've never had anyone say anything because it is such a trivial thing. I would be more concerned about people's work /attitude over socks ha.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 9:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:45:27 -0400

I’m curious about one thing, the OCP and PT uniforms are two different uniforms. Are you asking about the new black and yellow PT uniform, or the new OCP uniform? If you want to know what socks to wear to wear with the pt uniform, it’s black or white socks that pass the ankle, with no logos. If you’re asking about the OCP uniform the same rules from the ACU apply, black, green, or tan socks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 9:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:49:22 -0400

There is no regulation for this. Go with what was put out by your leadership. Now if Soldier did not meet the proper guidance put out then state it in a counseling.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Aug 22 at 2019 10:02 AM

CSM William Everroad — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 10:02:22 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, 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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 10:51 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 10:51:40 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 12:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 12:44:01 -0400

Really ??? Socks ?? I was in charge of a section many moons ago, 24 enlisted soldiers and two NCOs. Since our unit as a whole rarely did PT as a unit (shift work-hospitals never close) I was told to care of section PT. As far as I was concerned, I told the troops to wear something comfortable that made common sense. We are still in the Army after all. No one including the young female soldiers ever let me down. After all, we were big boys n girls full of common sense. PT uniforms are anything but comfortable. Never any issues with the chain because they saw improvement in PT scores which can be a challenge for some in a medical unit. We were still disciplined soldiers, maintained our military bearing and professionalism, some of us improved our physical fitness and we had fun. I understand the Army mentality but when one can divert from the process and make it a little less overbearing....why not ? Last thing I wanted was to worry about was socks.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 22 at 2019 2:23 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 14:23:39 -0400

I miss the days of tube socks hitting just below the knee lol

Response by SGT David Dodge made Aug 22 at 2019 2:35 PM

SGT David Dodge — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 14:35:57 -0400

All I remember having hammered into my head is "white socks no logo over the ankle". I don't think you could go to wrong with that. If you do I am sure some one will correct you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 6:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 18:38:37 -0400

So harder now a days, in my days in the Army, there was only one sock color, OD Green.

Response by Anna Terry-Tharp made Jul 12 at 2021 9:57 PM

Anna Terry-Tharp — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 21:57:36 -0400

Hello, my son is in basic training right now at Ft. Jackson. The only authorized sock there is a black calf length sock and for the ACU's it's green(olive I believe)