Posted on Dec 14, 2016
SFC Career Counselor
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CW5 Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
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I love how people talk 670-1 and standards when our cold weather gear is TA-50 and not mentioned in 670-1 and you're in a Kansas winter: 10 degrees and a brisk wind.
Gaiters and balaclavas for everyone!

If its cold, wear cold weather gear.
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CW5 Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
CW5 (Join to see)
9 y
I've heard of the fabled Alaska but have since evolved to the point that I no longer believe that it exists.

But really, any leader that would conduct PT at -35 while not allowing the wear of supplemental attire issued to every Soldier is not much of a leader IMO. I also would have a problem doing regular PT outdoors at all in that weather. Maybe ruck marching for short distances but not PRT.
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SGT James Colwell
SGT James Colwell
9 y
One of the things drilled into my head as a new E5 was welfare of my soldiers. It is important to train for whatever elements in order to be able to continue the mission, but it is also important to take care of soldiers if the equipment/uniform exists to meet that goal. If fleece caps are authorized TA-50, then utilize what is provided.
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SSG Kyle Stromgren
SSG Kyle Stromgren
9 y
CW5 (Join to see) - We did PT till -20 the airborne guys did it till -35 we had long johns and gloves and hats still chilly till you got running had a soldier one morning that had to go back as he had over slept and didn't have his long johns on and as he put his dick was starting to freeze to his leg
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SPC Motor Transport Operator
SPC (Join to see)
9 y
Yes chief it's cold as hell in ft Riley lol
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SFC George Smith
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after getting Frost Bite in January '76 in norway... I agree they we need them
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MAJ Rene De La Rosa
MAJ Rene De La Rosa
7 y
Having been to South Korea twice, and having the modern stuff, it still boggles my mind that the only thing the Soldiers had during the Korean War was wool. It was still cold with the new fangled gear, and it still gets nasty cold and wet. Taking care of the troops is the ultimate goal here.
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SSgt Carpenter
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With exception for change of command ceremonies, other official functions or in Basic or AIT where uniformity is of exceptional importance, the way the Army treats cold weather gear is ridiculous. I'm from up North. I'm used to cold weather. However I still dress for it. But that changes with with the amount of exertion a person is putting out, whether the sun is out, whether the wind is blowing, or how acclimatized a person is. For example today I was installing metal roofing in the morning and built a small stoop in the afternoon. Fairly low level exertion, in temps that ranged from about -5 to 5 degrees, wind chill between -20 and -30. I was layered up so strong I could barely see out my sweatshirt hoods. In the same weather shoveling snow, I'll be down to two layers in minutes. If I'm shoveling snow at 32 degrees I'll wear a tshirt and winter hat. At that temp ice fishing, I'll have longjohns, carhartts, and three or four sweathshirts on. Because sitting still, I'll get cold. Long story short, there are occasions where I'll put a fleece cap on well above 32 degrees, even though I can and have handled -40. There are times when I'll wear a PC down below zero. Depends how long I'm outside, what the winds are, and how I'm otherwise dressed. I always wear my fleece under my blouse so I attract less attention. Keeps me warm, and allows me to wear the PC in temps I'd otherwise wear the fleece cap in. Now that I'm in the Air Guard, it seems that people care a lot less about stupid crap like this.
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Wherever you are stationed, do they allow the fleece cap to be worn in uniform when it is below 32 degrees? Do you agree/disagree with this?
1px xxx
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What is this 32 degrees you speak of? #Monterey
LTC Infantry Officer
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
Okay, PT belts at all times for Monterey so you don't get lost in the daily fog #Planet Ord
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1px xxx
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9 y
Update on the weather here at DLI. First day of winter was yesterday, and it was a freezing cold 56 degree day at work. We wore full winters without hat and gloves for PT.
SFC J Fullerton
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Agree. I always believed that the current weather conditions should dictate uniform policy, not calendar dates. Unfortunately, that was rarely the case, as the Army in its infinite wisdom thought otherwise for the sake of "uniformity". Ever had to do a formation run in full sweats, hat/gloves on a 60 degree December morning? Or stand shivering in t-shirt/shorts on a frosty April morning?
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SSG Jessica Bautista
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Damn the unit policies, it's a medical necessity along with the neck gaiter, gloves, jackets..
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MGySgt James Forward
MGySgt James Forward
9 y
I see we have a trouble maker in our midst! So might you be the token member to show up at formation wearing said head wear?
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SSG Jessica Bautista
SSG Jessica Bautista
9 y
MGySgt James Forward - Knowing how long formations generally are, I'd determine temperature and wind chill, then make my recommendation to the 1SG. As a medic, that's what I typically did, and I have yet had a single 1SG disagree with me.

Admittedly, I am known by most people who are familiar with my antics as a troublemaker.

Semper Fi!
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Pmc Mcb
Pmc Mcb
9 y
SSG Jessica Bautista - I'd say good call, keeping troops healthy and ready at all times Should be a top priority.
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Pmc Mcb
Pmc Mcb
9 y
MGySgt James Forward- No offense Gunny.
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SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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This is one thing that I've never agreed with in the Army. It's 56 right now here in the wonderful state of AL and I have mine in my pocket incase it gets down to 55 and my ears get cold. No one will say anything and others will likely do the same. But AD be like "It's 50 below! It's too warm to use the things you've been issued to stay warm!" They did the same thing with the black knit cap back in the day. And also the "winter" BDU hats with the fold down flap.. you never wanted to get caught with that down. We were also issued pyle caps back then and those never came out of our duffel bags.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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My Division allows us to wear them from November to March....weather depending....but still leave it up to individual command elements. And I certainly agree with it.
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SFC Information Technology Specialist
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In charlottesville that was the policy, and I completely agree with it. If it is cold wear cold weather gear!
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SSG Wally Lawver
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So happy to be retired, now when its cold I put stuff on to keep warm and when its hot I wear less ...So good to be allowed to just go about life with common sense:)
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SFC Career Counselor
SFC (Join to see)
9 y
I only have a few more years til I am at that point.
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