Physical Fitness and Steely Eyed Killers

Driving in the dark we see the various colored reflective belts moving in formation or small groups.  I am still a little tired but we got up early to be the first in line at SRP since we checked out temporarily yesterday but still needed several stations.  

All those Soldiers running and exercising all over the place reminds me of 40 years ago.  Every strip of grass seemed to have either a large group or at least a squad size doing PT (physical training).

Cold chilly morning doing some running, jumping calisthenics.  Just like 24 hour fitness without the televisions, climate control, treadmills, free weights and good looking women wearing less than they should causing more eye and neck problems for the various men working hard at looking without being caught staring.  Nope.  All the Soldiers are wearing the same outfit.  No thongs, tight pants, short shorts, yoga outfits or anything else.  Conversations like the one below are not unusual.  Pick your clothing item…367 pages of regulation make sure there is no doubt what is and isn’t regulation.

            “Soldier, what is with those socks?”

            “Sergeant Major what do you mean?”

            “Those socks are not authorized with the IPFU (Improved Personal Fitness Uniform)!’

            “Sergeant major I just bought them at the PX (Post Exchange; Think Target meets K-Mart)”

            “Well that may be so but they aren’t regulation.  AR 670-1 clearly states, and I quote “…calf-length or ankle-length, plain white socks with no logos”.

            “I couldn’t find any socks without a logo.  I mean it is only a little Nike logo.”

            “Look Soldier, you know the drill.  Roll the socks down so I don’t see the logo!  I am not going to have anybody get out of uniform in MY army!”

            “Yes Sergeant Major.  Thank you Sergeant Major for correcting me!”

Sergeant Major is the highest rank for enlisted Soldiers in the Army and their job is to ensure the Soldiers are properly cared for and trained.  They also serve as the upholder of all standards great and small.  They are the Non-commissioned Officers and they run the Army.

Back to the cold morning…so anyway the PT belts are reflecting the lights of the car.  They are wearing the reflective belts over the IPFU.  Let me quote Wikipedia, “The main advantage of this new uniform over its older counterpart is being highly reflective at night while keeping its tactical colors during the daytime hours. The other noticeable advantages are more water- and windproof, and a bit lighter… T-shirt: Grey Army-marked long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirt; large reflective ARMY symbol on front of shirt and stylized reflective A on back”


So the reflective belt is an addition locally required to go over a uniform that by its nature was designed to be highly reflective.  But wait!  There is MORE!  


A good idea develops more movement and if it is a good idea to wear on the IPFU in darkness, why not require it on the regular ACU uniform (the normal duty uniform that replaced the BDU which replaced the army green fatigue uniform (OG 107 Utility uniform).
How about an even better idea!  Call it a “battle belt” so it has a warrior connotation.  Great idea! And how about if we have Soldiers put their rank on them so you know who is more important than whom so you know who to salute and who should salute you.


And since I have been driving at night here and it is dark on most streets (who needs streetlights?) I can clearly see the relative reflectivity.  The ARMY on the shorts is very bright.  The battle belts reflect well with the yellow the brightest.  If you run with a flashlight that also helps. 


So if you ever feel the need to get out there and run on your own and want complete safety run with reflective clothing and wear a battle belt.  The life you save may be your own (and the insiders will know you used to be in the army).