Updated Army Uniform Regulations Online

Wear-out date for gray PTs approaches

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 23, 2003) - Beginning Oct. 1 the Army's old, gray physical fitness uniform will no longer be authorized, and all Soldiers must own the improved PT uniform, which hit the shelves three years ago.

The decision to put Soldiers in a uniform that was lighter, washes better and sharper looking was made in 1999 by retired Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, former chief of staff of the Army.

Soldiers were given a grace period of more than three years to purchase the new Improved Physical Fitness Uniform, but some are still scurrying to the Military Clothing Sales Store to purchase the five-piece ensemble.

"I have members of my squad who still have to purchase the new PTs, said Pfc. Brian Knolen from Fort McPherson, Ga. However, Knolen doesn't have to worry about meeting the deadline. He is among the Soldiers who entered the Army after May 2000, and was issued the uniform after graduating from Initial Entry Training.

The improved uniforms hit Military Clothing Sales Stores October 2000, and most store managers said sales have been continuous with no peak, even though the deadline approaches.

"I always keep a back order in the stock room, but I haven't seen an increase in sales," said Estella Gholston, the store manager at Fort McPherson, Ga.

A local store manager at Fort Belvoir, Va., said she didn't expect to see more purchases and didn't order extra to meet an increased demand.

"Since 2001, my store has already been meeting a high demand for the new PTs, and we've been helping to get the word out," said Savannah Hudson, the assistant manager at the Fort Belvoir store.

To make sure that every Soldier is in the right uniform Oct. 1, the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1, printed the wear-out date for the old PTs in the revised Army Regulation 670-1. But some junior Soldiers, who look for guidance from supervisors, said they aren't sure what the cut-off date is.

"I know that the cut-off is approaching, but I haven't heard when," said a specialist from Fort Riley, Kan. "I don't have anything to worry about though because I've been wearing the new uniform for over a year."

The IPFU includes a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, jacket, pants and shorts. The suit costs almost double the old uniform that was first issued to Soldiers in 1986. The total cost is about $140, according to a price list on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Web page.

According to the previous uniform policy regulation that went online on June 25, 2002, clarification of the Army's tattoo policy was only one of two dozen changes or updates that went into effect 1 August. In December 2001 the Army announced that changes were being staffed, and the tattoo policy is one that underwent the most modifications. Under the old regulation, tattoos were prohibited on the face, neck and head. Now, tattoos are not to be visible in the Class A uniform with trousers. Soldiers who currently have tattoos on their hands will be "grandfathered" and allowed to keep them as long as the tattoos are inoffensive. Other items that were revised include hair, nails, contacts, cell phones, pagers, headgear, "camelbacks," desert battle-dress-uniform insignia, regimental distinctive insignia, physical fitness uniform wear and pregnancy, the explosive ordnance detachment badge, and the black mess uniform. The beret, which is a new clothing item, is addressed in the updated regulation. When Soldiers are not wearing the beret outside, they should be carrying it.

For full details on the updated policy, visit Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

Source: Wear-out date for gray PTs approaches - Army News Service, September 23, 2003.