Physical training uniform
A physical training uniform is a military uniform used during exercise, calisthenics, drills, and in some cases, very casual periods of time (off-duty time during Initial Entry Training in the U.S. Army, for example). Most militaries, especially The United States Armed Forces require use of a physical training (PT) uniform during unit exercise (including formation runs, calisthenics, and conditioning exercises). Some American military units produce unique T-shirts with their unit insignia and motto, and for special events, this shirt is part of the uniform. Occasionally, exercise will be conducted in that branch's utility uniforms, normally with the blouse removed and the undershirt exposed (also known as "boots and utes" ). For unit runs, esprit de corps or special occasions, commanders may have personnel wear unique T-shirts with the distinctive unit insignia and unit colors.
Physical Training Uniforms of the United States Armed Forces
Army
The Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU) consists of:
- Shirts: Black long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts with gold ARMY lettering on the front.
- Shorts: Black with same gold ARMY lettering on the left leg. Multipurpose: can be worn alone for swimming and exercise, or under the black trousers.
- Pants: Black with Army Star logo and lettering on the left thigh.
- Jacket: Black with gold chevron across the front and back and same Army Star logo and lettering on the left chest. A Physical Fitness Badge may be worn for soldiers who excel at the A.P.F.T. (270 or higher, with a 90 in each event).[1]
- Socks and Shoes: Commercial calf-length or ankle-length, plain white or black socks with no logos, and approved, well-fitting, comfortable running shoes with no color restriction; Five-toed shoes are prohibited.
- Inclement weather gear: Micro fleece cap, Compression shirt and shorts, and reflective belt.[2]
Marine Corps
All items worn by Marines conducting PT as a group are subject to uniformity, at the commander's discretion. The Marine Corps PTUs consist of:
- Shirt: Plain olive-drab green short-sleeve T-shirt (logos can be authorized.)
- Shorts: Plain OD green shorts (logos can be authorized for this also, like the shirts.)
- Sweats: OD green with black Marines logo and USMC lettering on the left chest of hoodless sweatshirt, and the same design on the left thigh of sweatpants.
- Tracksuit: OD green with reflective piping, Marines logo in reflective trim on the left chest and MARINES lettering in red with gold trim centered on the back of jacket, and same logo on the upper right thigh and vertical USMC lettering in the same style on the lower right leg of pants.
- Socks and Shoes: commercial calf-length or ankle-length, plain white or black socks with no logos, and shoes with appropriate civilian design; excessive bright coloring or designs are prohibited.
- Hydration pack: green or coyote brown (or subdued colors if personally owned packs are authorized.)
- Inclement weather gear: Watch cap, Compression shorts and OD green thermal shirt and pants.
Navy
The Navy PTU's nylon moisture wicking and odor resistant Navy blue shorts come in six and eight inch lengths, providing standard appearance among different height sailors. It also has side pockets with a hidden ID card pocket inside the waistband. As with the Army uniform, optional compression shorts may be worn under the PTU shorts provided they are black or navy blue in color for inclement weather.
The Navy PTUs consist of:
- Shirt: Navy blue short-sleeve shirt with gold eagle-and-anchor logo on the left chest and the statement "America's Navy: Forged By The Sea" in gold on the back.
- Shorts: Navy blue with gold NAVY lettering on the left leg.
- Tracksuit: Styled similar to the Marines' except black with same gold NAVY lettering on the left chest and on the back of jacket, only larger, and styled vertically on the lower right leg of pants.
- Sweats: Navy blue with reflective NAVY lettering on the same areas on sweatshirt with optional hood, and on the left thigh of sweatpants.[4]
- Shoes: Approved, well-fitting, comfortable running shoes with no color restriction.
- Inclement weather gear: Compression shorts.
The Navy has announced that an additional standard navy blue uniform with a not-yet-known design is in development and is planned to be released in 2020, with a retirement date for the gold-shirt uniform pending.[5]
Air Force
The Air Force Improved Physical Training Uniform (IPTU) consists of:
- Shirts and Sweatshirt: Light-grey short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts and hoodless sweatshirt with reflective Air Force logo and lettering on the left chests and logo centered on the backs.
- Shorts: Air Force blue with reflective stripes on the sides and the same AF logo and lettering on the left leg.
- Pants: AF blue with piping on the lower legs.
- Jacket: Styled similar to the Army's except AF blue with silver reflective chevron outlined by white piping across the front and back and same AF logo and lettering on the left chest but embroidered. An optional hood is hidden in the collar and can be pulled out during inclement weather.
- Shoes and Socks: Athletic style shoes with no color restriction, and white and black socks; small logos are authorized.[6]
The Air Force is currently discussing changes to its PTU, with the final results planned to be released in 2020.[7]
Space Force
After the birth of the United States Space Force on December 20th 2019, its personnel are currently borrowing the Air Force’s PTU until its own unique uniforms are created, which is estimated to take place within an 18-month period.[8]
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard PTUs consist of:
- Shirt: Grey short-sleeve shirt with reflective Coast Guard logo with blue trim and lettering on the left chest and COAST GUARD lettering in the same design centered on the back.
- Shorts: Mesh-designed navy blue shorts with white COAST GUARD lettering on the left leg.
- Sweats: Navy blue with COAST GUARD lettering in orange with white and dark reflective trim centered on the front and 7 dark reflective stripes on the back of hoodless sweatshirt, and USCG lettering in the same design on the sides of both legs of sweatpants.
- Swimming gear: Plain blue gender-standard swimsuits.
- Shoes: Approved, well-fitting, comfortable running shoes with no color restriction.[9]
Non-military use
In many parts of the world outside of use in militaries, physical training uniforms are primarily used in schools, law enforcement academies, and in some cases, firefighter training and prison systems.
See also
References
- AR 670-1, para. 14-5 Insignia (on the Physical Training Uniform)
- https://www.shopmyexchange.com/browse/military/army-uniforms/physical-fitness-uniforms/_/N-104826
- https://www.mynavyexchange.com/browse/military/marine-corps/physical-training-uniforms-ptu/_/N-1576073587?Nr=AND%28sku.inStockFilter%3A1%2Csku.imagesAvailable%3A1%29
- https://www.mynavyexchange.com/browse/military/navy/physical-training-uniforms-ptu/_/N-3484394841?Nr=AND%28sku.inStockFilter%3A1%2Csku.imagesAvailable%3A1%29
- https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/01/03/new-navy-pt-gear-is-here-what-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.shopmyexchange.com/browse/military/air-force-uniforms/iptu/_/N-104783
- https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/11/28/is-this-what-your-new-pt-uniform-will-look-like/
- https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2019/12/21/may-the-space-force-be-with-you-heres-what-we-know-about-the-us-militarys-newest-service/
- https://shopcgx.com/uniforms/shop-by-category/pt-gear/