Costs for high-performance Army PT gear

Army Times — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:39:29 -0500

From: Army Times

Soldier PT gear will continue its drastic makeover in 2015.

Over the next few years, more and more soldiers will work out in black threads with gold lettering. Touted highlights include lightweight moisture-wicking/quick-drying fabric, tag-less design, and better fit (including female-specific sizing).

The Army Physical Fitness Uniform has already begun appearing in stores, and the rollout will continue in the coming year. The estimated wear-out date for the current Improved Physical Fitness Uniform has been estimated at fall 2017, with mandatory possession of the APFU a year later.

The APFU drops reflective materials; that addresses stealth issues while working out in a war zone as well as cuts costs. PT belts can be used when better visibility is desired.

The Army will also offer an optional high-performance fabric. It will be lighter but less durable, appear the same, and cost more.

Optional gear costs are below (next to prices of the standard counterpart). Available now:

S/S T-Shirt: $17.95 (Regular version: $6.86)

L/S T-Shirt: $19.95 (Regular version: $8.35)

Trunks: $21.95 (Regular version: $16.41)

Available December-February:

Unisex Jacket: $59.95 (Regular version: $51.42)

Unisex Pant: $48.95 (Regular version: $32.69)

Female Jacket: $59.95 (Regular version: $51.42)

Female Pants: $48.95 (Regular version: $33.37)

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/01/01/pt-uniform-army-costs/21012929/

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 9:46 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:46:19 -0500

I really like the new APFU. For once, the Army actually listened and made some awesome upgrades. Hoping the upcoming multicam is as good as what we had downrange - that's another uniform I really liked. Let's go back to the WW2 style class A's, and the Army would be batting 1000 for uniform upgrades over the last few years.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jan 2 at 2015 9:42 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:42:40 -0500

Black uniform for 4am runs... brilliant. I'm sure they'll fix the issue of formations getting run over by cars by requiring everyone to wear a "road guard vest" over it and carry "chem sticks".

Response by SFC Thomas Hrabe made Jan 2 at 2015 9:50 AM

SFC Thomas Hrabe — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:50:34 -0500

I thought the yellow base color and black trim would have been the best as far as safety goes. But we are always safe with our yellow reflective belts aren't we.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 2 at 2015 9:51 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:51:47 -0500

Class A Uniform. 3 different uniforms since 1992. Greens, Greens with different dye, blues.
Duty Uniform. 2 different uniforms since 1992. BDUs, ACUs, Multicams coming.
PT Uniform. 2 different uniforms since 1992. Yellow banana suit, greys, blacks coming.
USMC. One class A uniform since 1950s.
Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we are changing just for changes sake. I would love to see someone make a coherent argument as to why the greens with different dye and the ACUs were an improvement. My guess is that local commanders/CSMs will still require a PT belt with the blacks. Old habits die hard.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Jan 2 at 2015 10:40 AM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:40:09 -0500

The new APFU looks great, but there is something I would have added. A permanent reflective strip across the lower portion of the t-shirts, and a diagonal reflective strip from right shoulder, to left side on the jackets. You can pick what color strip you want based on your status (Jr. Enlisted, NCO, Officer). No one could ever say, "Oh I forgot my PT belt, Sarge!"

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 2 at 2015 11:02 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:02:07 -0500

This new uniform looks great, I like it. As COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM stated, sometimes change is good....and he mentioned the banana suit....compare our new one to the banana suit we used to wear....much improved!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 11:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:06:45 -0500

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CAN WE STOP CHANGING UNIFORMS FOR THE PURPOSES OF FASHION?!

Maybe this APFU is better. It is nice that there is an option to wear a "better" version instead of making it clothing bag. I will bet you all the gold in Ft Knox that the reflective belt will continue.

The ACU is an abortion. The beret was terrible. The new APFU was an improvement, especially when the air was cold and the ground was wet. The ASU is... well, nobody wears the darn thing regularly so who cares.

At least we are getting around to correcting the mistakes of the past.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 2 at 2015 11:40 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:40:25 -0500

LOL. They actually said they were dropping the reflective materials for stealth issues? I am sure it had nothing to do with cost.

So I want to make sure that I am tracking what my beloved Army is doing, or at least talking abut doing, they having all of our warriors in black fitness uniforms while dropping 'Black Knights' for West Point. While this is not as dangerous as some of the other things done in name of political correctness, it is nice example.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Jan 2 at 2015 12:45 PM

MSG Scott McBride — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 12:45:24 -0500

I think the uniform looks great. It is definitely fitting of our Army logo. I also like our current IPFU. I know most of us had a hand in the design, but this uniform was coming whether we designed it or not. The Reflective belt? Don't worry, it's not going anywhere.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 12:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 12:47:40 -0500

I bought these as soon as they came out, mostly because I wanted to be ahead of the game. Only a handful of others in my unit have purchased them, which leads me to believe that leadership will eventually say everyone must wear the same uniform to avoid the mismatches in uniform everyday at PT formation. So far, I don't have any complaints about the new uniform.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jan 2 at 2015 2:32 PM

COL Ted Mc — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 14:32:19 -0500

I believe that the AF version incorporates integrated, multiple redundant, mono-fiber computer controlled bio-generators which will light up the waist band in the dark and flash the letters 'U' - 'S' - 'A' - 'F' when the wearer is running. (Estimated cost price $1,234,567.89 per Tee-shirt [cost of the shorts is still classified].)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 11:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 23:13:41 -0500

The peculiarity is that this is another priority with fiscal solvency, budget constraints on life-saving measures, etc…. while the IPFU is still serviceable.

I agree with everyone of your safety 'concerns' with the black uniform (APFU).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 4:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 04:11:16 -0500

Besides the fact that they are Steelers Colors, I like the way the feel. I am happy that I am off to TX soon, because trying to do PT in the winter here in Germany is going to be horrible. I also like that they don't make noise when I move in them. Holy Cow I would wake up the house house in the morning for PT just by walking to the door in the old ones. I love that fact that the spandex is built in. Maybe it is the slimming affect. As far as the price, I am pretty new to the military, but less face it, pricing isn't going to get any better. After having to pay for the ASU's, I just cough up the dough and move on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 6:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 06:33:19 -0500

The one thing I don't get is the lack of integrated reflection. The Army could have saved a considerable amount of money on belts if they would have made the yellow in the jacket reflective.

Response by SGT Brian Watkins made Jan 4 at 2015 7:05 AM

SGT Brian Watkins — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 07:05:05 -0500

Alright, another new uniform that they spent a ton of money on for "R&D". They probably walk to the local sports store and just look at old Nike, Under Armor, etc. then decide which one to throw an Army logo on.
Who knows, maybe in 2025 the Army will wear both hot and cold weather PT's that are actually in the same decade. Seriously, that 1992 "Fresh Prince of Nowhere" Grey PT jacket was funny as hell. The performance was below the standards of anything in the sportswear market. From the sweat wicking, to the airflow & control, it was pretty outdated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 10:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 10:00:12 -0500

As much as I think that the new PT uniform is nice, I just wish the Army would choose a uniform. I have been in the Army for 10 years, been through 4 different duty uniforms, 2 dress uniforms and this is my third set of PTs. I know we get clothing allowance, but with all the money sunk into the manufacturing and R&D, don't you think it could be better spent somewhere?

Response by A1C Peter Anthony made Jan 4 at 2015 12:04 PM

A1C Peter Anthony — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 12:04:29 -0500

Anything is better than those dreadful YELLOW, or uniforms I wore in BMT in the 80's!! Talk about severe chafing!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 2:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 14:09:50 -0500

WE DID THIS!!!. not long ago, AKO sent out an email and had a survey about what uniform looked better. we all put the prettiest new uniform on ther and the big army considered that a vote. they didnt give us the option to stay with what we had. there is a similar study going around about changing the name of PLDC, or WLC now. the new names are ridiculous. whats the point of changing it again. i just bought a brand new set of PT uniforms in June. all brand new. and now i receive messages that it is highly encouraged that senior NCOs have the new stuff. quite honestly, i am tired of digging into my posckets to offset the money for new unforms. if it hurts a MSG that is dual mil, i know it hurts the Soldiers. we got to make another change. a change to stop chaniging things just because. now that im off my box, i will admit the change looks nice.

Response by SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA made Jan 4 at 2015 7:43 PM

SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:43:07 -0500

PT gear, there wasn't any when I joined. What is the real purpose for PT equipment? None as far as I can see. Why did we go to that in the first place?

It is money that was unnecessarily spent on nothing and now the PT uniform is in turmoil over some stupid shirt and shorts. The Army needs to get back to basics and start wearing the combat uniform, like I did when I was doing PT.

The boots I see the recruiters wear, since I am retired, look like they weigh a ton. What is the purpose of boots of this nature when they have an 80 pound house on their back and that is dumb also.

I have many complaints about the uniform, in general and all around, but PT uniforms need to be thrown out and everything goes back to the basics.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 5 at 2015 9:05 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 09:05:12 -0500

They look nice but those things are FREEZING in the winter here at drum... They seem to have half the warmth retention of the older PT's.. Its nice that there is a thinner version for the heat, but where is the thicker version for Drum and Alaska,?