Should we do away with white socks for the IPFU?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:42:04 -0400

I am forward right now (I refuse to consider Kuwait a deployment) and constantly see soldiers wearing dingy white socks as they are hard to keep clean in most environments. I think we would be better served having black socks for a better appearance. Am I off in my thinking?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 1:57 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:57:12 -0400

In what uniform?

Response by SGT James Elphick made Apr 20 at 2015 2:03 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:03:28 -0400

As long as they are cotton and can be worn with boots

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 2:10 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:10:59 -0400

SSG Robert Burns are you paying SSG Private RallyPoint Member to bring back this topic? I hope CPT Private RallyPoint Member don't get his saluting discussion resurrected too...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 2:15 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:15:30 -0400

What do white socks have to do with Kuwait? AJ is my home away from home, been working there for the last 8 years.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 20 at 2015 2:26 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:26:13 -0400

Well first off the GREEN socks haven't been wool in almost a decade. They are plain Jane over the calf GREEN sports socks. Black I think can be wore with 670-1, but White is AGAINST policy. I have NEVER worn White sock in boots. Even when we had the Shitty green WOOL socks!

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 20 at 2015 2:26 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:26:14 -0400

Are you insane? That is clearly discrimination.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 20 at 2015 2:28 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:28:12 -0400

If it is PT's then they white socks. Looks goofy running down the road in black sock and shorts!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 20 at 2015 11:43 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 23:43:13 -0400

Yes... We should go to black crew, mini crew, or ankle socks.... in my view.

Or we could go 1970s... and do white knee length tube socks and short shorts..

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 21 at 2015 9:00 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:00:13 -0400

There's a couple things to consider here.

The reason for the white socks traditionally is the Material. White socks are (normally) made out of cotton (though this has changed as technology has gotten better). No dies to potentially damage your feet or bleed out.

That said, you concern is about "dingy white socks."

I'm sorry, but you'll see "dingy black socks" just as easily, and more likely "dingy black socks which are of "improper material" which are actually dangerous to the service member. They bleed, are made of fabric like wool, etc.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 5:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:58:32 -0400

I've got white socks that I've had for years, and they are still bright white. The way to prevent the dingy sock issue is to avoid cotton, and use bleach when you wash your whites. I understand that laundry isn't something that an individual Soldier can control while deployed, but then again, I've never been downrange and heard anyone make an issue of dingy socks. There were more important things to focus on.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 6:03 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:03:54 -0400

Sure, why not wearing black crew or ankle socks? This would be a consistent update to the new APFU.

Response by SFC Ken Heise made Jun 5 at 2015 6:04 PM

SFC Ken Heise — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:04:20 -0400

How about just stop changing the dang uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 6:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:05:20 -0400

I was so jealous while in Afghanistan and the Air Force changed their regs to allow the airmen to wear black socks. Pre-new PT uniforms, and post-new uniforms too! The orginal IPFU is grey and black, I feel I look like an idiot with white socks on, especially with mandatory laundering via AAFES, the dingy sock is an acquired look. The new PT uniform is black with some yellow. Where do white socks fit into this? Black socks would look 1000% smarter with black uniforms, both original IPFU and new IPFU.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 1:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:38:38 -0500

Personal preference for me. Black socks make my feet sweat even more. I've tested it!!!! I say white socks just above the ankle bone. Someone always shows up with enormous white socks you can pull up to your knees.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2016 7:30 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 07:30:10 -0400

I think that if you are micro-managing sock color for PT uniforms, you're quickly going to find yourself the butt of a lot of jokes.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 1:50 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 13:50:37 -0400

My generation generally wouldn’t be caught dead in shorts with black socks. Too many flashbacks of seeing our fathers wearin black dress socks with shorts and sandals. PT uniform will always be white socks for me.