The Army’s iconic gray physical training uniform — the one that spawned a handful of distressed Forever 21 tributes — is down to its final days.
Beginning Oct. 1, soldiers will have to pick up the new black-and-gold version for their morning runs.
The Army unveiled its new PT uniforms back in Sept. 2014, giving soldiers three years to phase out the grays and pick up the new set.
But some soldiers are holding on until the last minute, according to a Sept. 15 article from the Army.
Spc. Lafavien Dixon, from the 742nd Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland, said he planned to wear out the old Improved Physical Fitness Uniform out of a “sense of nostalgia.”
The new Army Physical Fitness Uniform boasts 32 changes from the old uniform, from more high-performance, quick-dry fabrics to stretchy lining and small pockets for keys and IDs in the shorts.
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The project to change the PT uniform began in 2012 based on soldier complaints, the then- Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment project manager told Army Times back in 2014.
Among those concerns were lack of sizing for women, plus the pockets and lining that made their way into the APFU.
The Army settled on the black-and-gold uniform after developing several prototypes that included black, gold and charcoal gray.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
