Did the U.S. Army wear a standardized PT uniform during and immediately after WWII that included "shorts" and "running shoes"?

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:05:31 -0400

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Aug 19 at 2020 3:08 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:08:19 -0400

So, we've all seen the "PT Uniform" in Band of Brothers, and there's plenty of extant photographs of British soldiers wearing tropical uniforms with shorts. My question is, the the U.S. Army introduce shorts for running and/or some type of "running shoe" then... or is this an entirely post Vietnam-era practice? I'm particularly curious if it was a "wartime" thing that phased out in the early 1950s in favor of t-shirt and OD pants with boots, or if it occurred at all before the 1970s.

Response by PV2 David Minnicks made Aug 19 at 2020 3:14 PM

PV2 David Minnicks — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:14:23 -0400

We still had a choice of wearing boots or running shoes and we had to wear our BDU trousers and a brown T-shirt if we wore running shoes then we could also wear white socks that was in 1984.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 19 at 2020 3:51 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:51:11 -0400

Our PT uniform in 1965 at Ft.Lewis with the reactivation of the 4th Infantry Div from Basic through AIT and beyond was fatigues,black combat boots,(web belt with first aid kit and rolled poncho ,these last item placed directly to your right on the ground) we double timed to the PT area did multiple sets of the “Daily Dozen “ all of course under the ever watchful eye of our training NCOs,any missteps in Reps were punishable by pushups and the front leaning position,I think my older brother in the Air Force did PT in shorts and sneakers,but to tell the truth I can’t swear he ever did PT!

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 19 at 2020 3:53 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:53:02 -0400

Hmmm, I don't think there was a "standard" PT uniform until the Korean War. when lack of physical stamina was a glaring issue with troops during the first few months of that conflict.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Aug 19 at 2020 4:35 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:35:06 -0400

I don't think so, PT was done in your uniform

Response by PFC Dagmar Youngberg made Aug 19 at 2020 4:38 PM

PFC Dagmar Youngberg — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:38:02 -0400

Not during my stint in the early 80's- we ran in t-shirt, uniform bottoms, and boots... no shorts or running shoes.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Aug 19 at 2020 4:50 PM

SGT Tim Tobin — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:50:10 -0400

Not in 1970! I wore fatigues and combat boots for PT

Response by SFC Michael D. made Aug 19 at 2020 5:33 PM

SFC Michael D. — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 17:33:26 -0400

When I joined in 1977 PT uniform was your pants t-shirt and boots.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2020 6:01 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 18:01:41 -0400

Before my time. My Pops was painting cars in Detroit after serving with 18th of Red One in Europe. Said he later got mail inviting him to a police action in Korea. Hit but survived New Years Offensive 12/31/50. 19th of 24th out on western flank, but many had it worse. Chosin, 31st Regt, USMC. More.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 19 at 2020 6:41 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 18:41:22 -0400

No, in the 70's we wore and you will see in old pics, uniform trousers, whit Tshirts and combat boots.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Aug 19 at 2020 10:20 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 22:20:30 -0400

When I arrived in Germany at my second Duty station in 1981, I was shocked to see people running PT in what I would have called track shoes back then.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2020 11:13 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 23:13:31 -0400

I recall in AIT in 1986 we were issued pt shirts and shorts. They were reversible with black on one side and yellow/gold on the other. We also had a jazzercise session where we PTed to Sailing. Facepalm!

Response by COL Bill Gross made Aug 20 at 2020 11:53 PM

COL Bill Gross — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 23:53:47 -0400

Best I can tell from photos and films of the period physical training was conducted in what was termed "fatigue uniform" of the period. That is, boots, trousers and generally t-shirts.

Response by COL Bill Gross made Feb 26 at 2021 1:07 PM

COL Bill Gross — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:07:19 -0500