Yellow or White? What PT Belt do you use? Which one maximizes your safety?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:09:58 -0400

This is a significant decision we are forced to make. We all know that PT belts save lives, military equipment, prevent dependopotamus attacks, sharknados, and UCMJ.

But is the better belt? What has a PT belt saved you from?

Just Ask SSG Robert Burns. He wore his at RPX!

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Sep 11 at 2014 9:13 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:13:31 -0400

I switch it up so that I'm not predictable in case I'm being monitored. That's something I learned in my annual online anti-terrorism training. That's obviously the safest way to do it.

Response by SSG James Doherty made Sep 11 at 2014 9:22 PM

SSG James Doherty — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:22:54 -0400

I prefer light up pink.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 11 at 2014 9:27 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:27:11 -0400

My blue one...I am that Air Force. But we don't wear them in PT gear.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 9:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:27:43 -0400

Sir, of your two examples: the one on the right always rips on me, so currently I'm rocking the one on the left.

No evidence as of yet that it has been successful in saving me. I just hope to not need to hear how it didn't.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 11 at 2014 9:41 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:41:07 -0400

YOU JUST WON"T STOP TORMENTING OUR SOULS!!! This post will run FOREVER! Forget the 2LT/1LT Saluting thread. This one pushes ALL the buttons. Well played Sir. Well played.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 11 at 2014 9:41 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:41:13 -0400

If you are wearing a yellow one, Should you salute someone wearing a white one?

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 11 at 2014 9:54 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:54:28 -0400

Belt? Hmmmmm....must have misplaced that.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 9:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:54:46 -0400

Neither. In the Air Force it is Blue*. It is reflective and Blue.

*see the "Air Force Song"

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 10:21 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:21:51 -0400

Forget all of you! I'm going commando...

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 11 at 2014 10:34 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:34:45 -0400

Considering my PT consisted of pulling a HUMVEE I just put the hazards on.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 11:04 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:04:13 -0400

In 23 years....never wore one....never. Had lots of "notices" and "warnings" and Command "talks"....just never wore the darned thing. It also helps to not run in the friggin' dark.....but what the heck do I know....the navy actually runs in the rain......and snow......and a hail storm. Besides that...I don't recall but a couple of years in garrison.....and I hated every moment.....really, I did.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 11:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:08:43 -0400

10th CAB had a SOP when we were deplpoyed with them that dictated which color was worn by who, how, and when.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 11:54 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:54:46 -0400

... glad the AF PT uniforms have reflective stuff on them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 12:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:07:45 -0400

Wear it. It'll save your life.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 12 at 2014 12:40 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:40:49 -0400

BELTS!! We don't need no stinkin BELTS.

I have it on good authority the Airforce uses the "garter" style though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 1:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:45:29 -0400

Who conjured up this beauty of a topic? PPE..... Come on. Go full safety and rank every one by color, based off of pay grade.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 4:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 04:26:06 -0400

Are you serious, Sir? Everyone knows that one can't wear white after Labor Day.

Etiquette dictates that we should wear a color that matches our under garments that day. I'm partial to pink, but I've heard that pink presents certain "implications", KWIM.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 5:18 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 05:18:52 -0400

My troop wears signal orange PT belts. Not joking.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 12 at 2014 5:39 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 05:39:45 -0400

lol PT belt does wonders but unfortunately it hasn't yet been known to prevent 10th Mountain Division soldiers from earning their mountain tabs...if you know what I mean.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 12 at 2014 7:30 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:30:45 -0400

Why choose? More belts=more safety! More colors of belts = even MORE safety. How knows, one of those folks driving on the closed roads during PT may be color blind.. just not worth the risk.. wear them all, in all the colors you can find!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 8:15 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 08:15:43 -0400

How about this one? I witnessed a soldier wearing one of these in Baghdad in 2011. Still blows my mind to this day.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Sep 12 at 2014 8:19 AM

SPC David Shaffer — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 08:19:49 -0400

I wear a black belt because I'm just that awesome! On a serious note though I like the yellow belt for safety personally. It stands out more in the sun and works great at night also. Everyone has their own personal preference though.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 12 at 2014 9:46 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 09:46:59 -0400

Neither, I'm now allowed to put my life in my own hands w/o DoA interference :-) If I do have occasion to conform, I have a hull fledged orange safety vest

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 12 at 2014 10:29 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 10:29:11 -0400

WOW, talk about boredom, but seriously WHY do we wear them at all? I would understand if the roads weren't blocked! As for the color, always been that yellow guy, but some units make it mandatory per the grade you are or position to have a certain color (see mentioned blue for command group) and then I have seen units actually sew rank on them too! With all the R&D not to mention the $$$ into the reflective lettering (which works stellar) why do we add the belt?

I actually forget it half the time and most are just happy I show up for PT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 2:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:24:30 -0400

A belt is not awesome enough for me so I wear a vest everywhere, even inside the gym while doing burpees or push ups

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Sep 12 at 2014 3:17 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:17:23 -0400

I wrapped several colored PT belts around bowling pins and threw a ball down the lane, I left the 7 pin and 10 pin bare, those were the only two standing. I'm more inclined to believe I am safer without a PT belt.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 9:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 21:48:02 -0400

It seems some posts have required colors based on rank. The 25th at Schofield Barracks does it.

Response by SSgt John Carroll made Sep 13 at 2014 2:51 AM

SSgt John Carroll — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 02:51:27 -0400

Maintenance Group here assigns Reflective belt color by Squadron/AMU... So I wear a bright red belt; and for us it's not just PT it's for night time operations on/off the flight-line & whenever the weather can hinder visibility.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 3:04 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 03:04:40 -0400

I hear the florescent pink ones have special powers in case that you are going to be run over on your way to the head in the middle of the night.

All serious I hate them all, if were to chose the lesser of the two evils I liked the stretch band one that they issued me at the Deid.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 12:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:04:38 -0400

I am suprised that a Soldier was shot while wearing the PT belt...i believe it voids the warranty. I just wish the Army would issue me the rainbow allotmet so depending on the installation, I could be IAW the local reg. I left for deployment and Ft. bliss had yellow for junior enlisted, green for senior & officers. While I have been gone, they added blue for officers. I head off to the next installation and who knows what color i'll need there. Red? Pink? Orange? Vest? Hat? Chaps? There is no telling how deep this rabbit hole will go.....

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 1:27 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 01:27:53 -0400

I am fond of the white one. But hey, as long as safety is sported...as a CSM, the PT belt is king...

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 1:33 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 01:33:15 -0400

I would wear my green one, but for some reason, here in Korea we don't wear them at all. My mind was blown when I got here and we didn't have them, I didn't know what to do, or if I would make it even through reception since there is nothing to save life now. And to top it off, I feel naked without it.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 11:02 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:02:40 -0400

Yellow pt belt

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2014 10:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 10:02:28 -0400

Fort bliss has a color coded PT belt system based on rank. It's so beautiful seeing all the different colors.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Oct 27 at 2014 3:01 PM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:01:31 -0400

Respond to original question…I personally can't see the need for one at all. It's not part of the uniform, and it is no more reflective than the uniform itself. Silliness!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 3:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:45:08 -0400

I use orange simply because that is the color required by my unit. Sadly my spidey sense has not been able to determine which color of belt has deflected the most danger.

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Oct 27 at 2014 5:32 PM

Maj Matt Hylton — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 17:32:42 -0400

Some of my favorite PT belt comics from Farva (AF Blues web-comic):

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 5:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 17:45:52 -0400

I prefer the "glow in the dark one" used it to navigate a crowded tent while RON on many occasion.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Oct 27 at 2014 8:01 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 20:01:35 -0400

Yellow would be more notice!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 10:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 22:32:45 -0400

I like the yellow with APFU, white with ACU s and the blue goes great during the Dress Blue Batallion Runs

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 10:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 22:38:04 -0400

I prefer full on orange vests myself

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 11:33 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 23:33:55 -0400

This is as close as we came to PT belts in the Navy (at least back in my day)....I wish we had them they sound like fun!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 11:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 23:40:17 -0400

Possible origin of the PT belt:

Daetline 480 BC:

"Safety First" or "Πρωτιά στην ασφάλεια" was the motto adhered to by the Spartans with King Leonidas leading the way against the Persians during the Battle of Thermopylae

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 1:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 01:28:20 -0500

We are supposed to wear those things? I thought they were just designed to make memes about!!!

I do have an orange one that I wear...
and if it saved me from anything, it did save me from getting hit by IDF at FOB Shank. We were told we had to wear them at night at Shank so we wouldn't be hard to see. The only problem was Shank was a blackout FOB, so it seemed like a less than stellar idea! But as everyone knows, when you have your PT belt on, the mortars avoid you like the plague!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 19 at 2014 1:21 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:21:23 -0500

Hahaha awesome.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 3:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:12:55 -0500

I'm with SSG James Doherty on this one! Light up pink for the WIN!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 12:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:41:44 -0500

I can't believe you people joking about safety. I take it very seriously and that's why I only run in a yellow reflective onesie.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Nov 21 at 2014 8:36 AM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:36:10 -0500

By the time I retired I had a collection of pt belts

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 20 at 2014 11:35 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 11:35:37 -0500

You know what? I sense a marketing opportunity... I'm going to invent a line of civilian-clothes wear. It's going to be a belt. A reflective belt. You wear it like a normal belt.

Maybe if it takes off, I can develop shirts and pants (and shoes and hat and underwear!) that have reflective tabs. OOOH AND CATS-EYES. Do they still use those?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 20 at 2014 11:37 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 11:37:41 -0500

Silly boy, no one wears white after Labor Day.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 20 at 2014 11:39 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 11:39:36 -0500

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Dec 20 at 2014 11:45 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 11:45:30 -0500

I kept my old yellow PT belt and strap it around the day pack I carry hunting. This plus blaze orange will hopefully keep some drunk idiot from mistaking me for an elk and sending 30.06 rounds my way.

Still trying to find a use for the road guard vest they made me buy for Chem OBC.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 4:30 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 16:30:57 -0500

SMDH!!!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 5:58 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 17:58:37 -0500

I still go back to WOW! And I can still hear the Marines laughing their asses off at us!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 8:59 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 20:59:19 -0500

My unit at the time mandated the white one but it was different than the one pictured. It was 2 full reflective wide stripes and not circles. Believe it or not, after being out for 3 years, I still have it.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 9:38 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:38:29 -0500

Really!?!...

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Dec 20 at 2014 9:46 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:46:39 -0500

Maximizes my safety? The padded hip battle belt with the 9 P-mags, Glock 24 with 2 pistol mags, blow out bag and Gil Hibben knife.

Reflective PT belt, I've never heard of such total F'n nonsense.
Our training Co. had couple of road guards with reflective vests.....that's it!
Complete rubbish!

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Dec 20 at 2014 10:09 PM

SMSgt Judy Hickman — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:09:05 -0500

Air Force Blue baby!

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Dec 21 at 2014 2:59 AM

1LT William Clardy — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 02:59:28 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I see this as just another form of the "boxers or briefs" interrogative.

A Real Soldier knows that sometimes no single answer will be satisfactory all the time, and when it's time to go commando...

Response by SGT Charles Vernier made Dec 21 at 2014 4:03 AM

SGT Charles Vernier — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 04:03:45 -0500

Sir back in my day we wore ORANGE PT belts. I'm not sure what the Army is coming to, but once you get rid of orange PT belts it's a slippery slope that leads to stress cards, Drill Sergeants giving hugs, total economic collapse, & eventually the Zombie Apocalypse. Avoid the Zombie Apoclypse, starts briefing your senior leaders on the importance of returning to ORANGE PT belts today!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 7:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 07:39:43 -0500

I use a orange PT belt... The Ft. Bragg in me wants to haze the Ft Meade me.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 22 at 2014 3:22 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:22:32 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I'm glad I retired before the Army started this PT belt business!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 3:26 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:26:25 -0500

Yellow. It's more old school, I do believe.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 5:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 17:22:32 -0500

Need strobe light and school bus stop sign that comes out on the side. If deployed needs a forward observer for the Taliban to hit you.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Dec 23 at 2014 10:37 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 10:37:20 -0500

Neither... We used those orange vests. Road guard vests we called them, and they were used only in PT. Imagine that, using them on the field...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 10:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 10:43:36 -0500

I wanted to be sure to look intimidating when I go out walking, I think the skulls really
says "whoa, bad ass walking here"

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 10:52 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 10:52:39 -0500

I have orange it seems to be the best

Response by CW4 Keith Dolliver made Dec 23 at 2014 10:57 AM

CW4 Keith Dolliver — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 10:57:43 -0500

This is actually my second assignment where PT belts are not required in the PT uniform though.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 24 at 2015 8:23 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sun, 24 May 2015 08:23:54 -0400

I like to use the yellow belt better. But either is fine with me sir.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 7:44 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 07:44:25 -0400

None, because my unit doesn't do PT on the roads, we do it on the parade field. Anything driving on the parade field doesn't belong there anyway.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jan 26 at 2016 2:11 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:11:35 -0500

Here at Bliss, what color you use is based on rank. Jr enlisted wear yellow, NCOs wear green, officers wear blue.