When satire becomes reality - duffelblog and new Army PTs

2014-08-18T12:14:15-04:00

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — A new physical training uniform is expected to be part of the U.S. Army wardrobe beginning in the 2016 fiscal year and is based on the rejected feedback of over 76,000 soldiers who took an online survey in February of 2012, Duffel Blog has learned.

“We started the new Army Physical Fitness Uniform Program to see what soldiers wanted us to buy with all the money we saved cutting their pay this year,” said Col. Robert Mortlock, program manager of Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment in Fort Belvoir. “Then we summarily dismissed all their input.”

See more:

http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/08/army-pt-uniform/#!bFDZ1s

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This article is of course satire but in all seriousness, we take all these polls and nonsense and then the DoD comes up with these nonsensical things...like constant new uniforms, or the awesome quote about how we would take a reduction in pay if it meant better training, etc.

Does the Army poll people just coming off staff duty? Brand new privates ONLY that would like a new uniform?

Has anyone here ever answered a poll stating they wanted a new APFU? Just curious. I took a poll about uniforms on several occasions, and said we were wasting money. I've never met someone that said otherwise.

Army Chooses New PT Uniform With Help Of No Soldier Feedback

76,000 soldiers took a 2012 survey on uniforms, which was not used at all.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 18 at 2014 1:51 PM

2014-08-18T13:51:28-04:00

I'm glad I caught "satire" in your post first because after reading that article and the article about the new officer promotion scheme I was convinced everything was going down hill to hell in a hand basket real fast like!.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 18 at 2014 1:59 PM

2014-08-18T13:59:51-04:00

"Satire becomes reality".... love it! Best post of the day!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Aug 20 at 2014 12:24 AM

2014-08-20T00:24:03-04:00

I participated in the survey.

The resulting uniform seems fairly consistent with the input I gave.

The IPFU is a terrible uniform and needed replacement. The fit is terrible, it breathes like a trash bag, and the reflective properties are completely ignored by local commanders (we would wear reflective belts if the shirt was woven from tritium). Yes, we will have to buy the new ones... no later than October 2017. So long as we leaders can wrap our heads around the notion of soldiers wearing different but equally suitable uniforms, and that old model does not equate to 'unprofessional' it shouldn't be that much to ask. Unfortunately given what I've read on this site regarding the still serviceable green uniform, I don't see much hope for that.

Now if you're like me and only wear the IPFU an average of twice a year for the APFT, (I wear commercial clothing for my normal PT sessions) the replacement cost may be unusual. It's hardly a strain on the budget because I probably don't distress my uniforms as much as the average troop and therefore have surplus clothing allowance.

In the interest of full disclosure: I may very well be on terminal leave on the mandatory possession date, so I won't have to live long with the consequences of my recommendations. I suspect that I will acquire it early due to my displeasure with the currently available options.

In the survey, I indicated that cost should be a high priority consideration. If this is taken into account, it should end up being an overall savings for troops and the service.

Clothing allowances are intended to allow for replacement of worn uniform bits. The IPFU is not indestructible. If the uniform lasted 3 years with daily use, the allowance would be drastically reduced. I don't think it is too much to ask soldiers to replace their unserviceable wardrobe with the latest, comparably priced in relation to their clothing allowance, fashion.

Response by CSM Michael Stanley made Sep 18 at 2017 3:50 PM

2017-09-18T15:50:09-04:00

This is only a problem for the lower enlisted E-5 and below. This has been a problem in years past, but it is coming around more frequently than in years past. One uniform change a decade places less of a strain on family finances for lower enlisted,