Do do need to wear vests and belts over reflective PT outfits?

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:38:37 -0500

PT outfits were designed to be reflective in the interest of safety. When I was in the Army, I complied and enforced the standards. However, I couldn't help but wonder why we putting belts on when our jackets were reflective. From the naked eye, it seemed ridiculous. What are your thoughts on this?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 8:38 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:38:12 -0500

I think the use of reflective belts are over used, but at the same time, we always hear about runners or bicyclists getting hit by vehicles. If your pt top is already reflective, I find there not to be a need for a belt across the torso. I would understand if they were to wear them around the waist in the case of the tops being removed for some reason. I don't see the need for the double duty though.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 8:44 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:44:33 -0500

I don't mind wearing them for PT, however I have never understood the mindset that soldiers should wear a PT belt when inside a gym or when mowing grass. I figure if a car makes it to either of those places, your reflective belt isn't going to be the magical thing that stops it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 9:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:41:51 -0500

It's just about uniformity and simplicity. The more variables there are the more can go wrong (e.g. Soldier thought he/she would be working out in the gym so they forgot their PT belt at home or the plan was to do muscle failure but now we're going on a run but Soldiers don't have PT belts). PT = PT belt. We have more important things to worry about like overturning injuries, PROVRBS, training to standard rather than time, etc. The PT belt is a non issue.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Dec 17 at 2014 12:10 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:10:48 -0500

I've never known anyone to get hit by a car while doing PT.

I would very much like to see a statistical comparison of the rates of injury with and without the belts.

If there are no statistics, that would indicate that the policies are to promote the appearance of safety rather than to create safety.