A physical training uniform is a military or organizational 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 and their auxiliaries (e.g. ROTC and JROTC components) require use of a physical training (PT) uniform during unit exercise (including formation runs, calisthenics, and conditioning exercises). All items worn by military personnel conducting PT as a group are subject to uniformity, at commander discretions, however, some U.S. 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 also be conducted in that branch's utility uniforms, normally with the blouse removed and the undershirt exposed (also known as "boots and utes"[citation needed] ). 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.

Marine recruits conducting PT in a soon-to-be-retired plain variant of the Marine Corps PTU and reflective belts

Physical training uniforms of the United States Armed Forces

Army

The Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU) in warm weather configuration

The Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU) consists of:

Soldiers wearing special unit T-shirts

Marine Corps

Marines from the Wounded Warrior Regiment wearing the Marine Corps PT tracksuit

The Marine Corps PTUs consist of:

The Marine Corps announced that a significant update to its shirt-and-shorts PTU is in development, with the new uniform featuring a reflective design for the first time.[4]

Navy

Sailors wearing the Navy's soon-to-be-retired gold-variant PTU

The Navy PTUs consist of:

The Navy announced that an additional standard navy blue uniform is in development with a not-yet-known design, and a retirement date for the gold-shirt uniform pending.[6]

Air Force

Airmen wearing the Air Force Improved Physical Training Uniform (IPTU), also historically the first PTU that was issued to Space Force guardians

The Air Force Improved Physical Training Uniform (IPTU) consists of:

The Air Force has finalized minor changes to its PTU, with the new uniform planned to be released in March 2024, and a four-year retirement period for the IPTU taking place until 2026, after 20 years of use.[8]

Space Force

The first prototype of the Space Force Physical Training Gear (SFPTG) in cold weather configuration
The first prototype of the SFPTG in warm weather configuration

Throughout the U.S. Space Force’s interim period, guardians borrowed the Air Force’s IPTU; however, its first unique PT uniform, known as the Space Force Physical Training Gear, is also planned to be released in March 2024, along with the Air Force's new PTU.[9]

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard PTUs consist of:

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, scouting, firefighter training and prison systems.

See also

References

  1. ^ AR 670-1, para. 14-5 Insignia (on the Physical Training Uniform)
  2. ^ "Shop Army & Air Force Exchange Service".
  3. ^ "Physical Training Uniforms (Ptu) | Shop Your Navy Exchange - Official Site".
  4. ^ https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2022/12/28/new-in-2023-decisions-on-marines-new-physical-training-uniforms/
  5. ^ "Physical Training Uniforms (Ptu) | Shop Your Navy Exchange - Official Site".
  6. ^ "New Navy PT gear is here — what you need to know!". 3 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Shop Army & Air Force Exchange Service".
  8. ^ "Air Force aims to debut new PT uniforms in March". 18 December 2023.
  9. ^ https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-pt-gear-service-dress-skirt/
  10. ^ https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/psc/MU/docs/USCG%20UDC%20Product%20Catalogue.pdf?ver=2017-11-22-113337-410