Master Sgt. Pam Abraham, left, and Staff Sgt. Maria Maramba of the 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron, run in the Air Force's mandatory physical training uniform Tuesday afternoon at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The Air Force is considering improvements to the uniform in response to feedback from airmen. (Jennifer H. Svan / Stars and Stripes)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — The Air Force is moving to correct problems with its physical training uniform eight months after it became mandatory for wear.
The Air Force uniform board received nearly 500 comments from airmen about the uniform, and some of those suggested changes for improvement are in the works, stated Senior Master Sgt. Dana Athnos, Air Force uniform board superintendent, in a recent Air Force news release.
One of the biggest issues is the lining in the shorts. Many airmen feel the lining is too tight, so they are buying shorts two to three sizes larger than their usual size, she said in the news release.
The Air Force Clothing Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is modifying the lining, she said.
While working out with his squadron Tuesday afternoon at Misawa Air Base, Capt. Jonathan Albaugh of the 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron said his only gripe with the PT uniform was the short size. “The guys’ shorts feel a little tight,” he said. “You have to order two sizes above normal in a standard short, which has made getting certain sizes harder to get.”
But Albaugh said he likes the shirt for its design and because “it breathes well and it’s pretty reflective.” He also likes that the jacket and pants are warm in winter.
But the heavier weight of the running suit is not ideal for everyone, according to airmen who sent inputs to the uniform board.
The suits are made of a light-weight material coated with wind and rain resistant finish which adds extra weight, according to Air Force officials. The clothing office is researching alternative fabrics that would retain those weather-resistant qualities yet reduce the weight, the release said. The office is also looking into a lighter-weight fabric for the short-sleeve T-shirt.
Staff Sgt. Sarah Whitney, the 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron unit PT leader, said Tuesday the PT uniform definitely needs a few upgrades.
“I don’t like the liners in the jacket, shorts and pants,” she said. “They’re sweaty and they don’t breathe well.”
And she’s not crazy about the noise the pants make during laps around the track. “The ‘swishing’ is terrible,” she said. Of the Air Force, she said, “I’m glad they’re taking our advice and revising it.”
In other changes, the uniform board has decided to introduce other optional PT uniform items within a year, according to the news release. These include shorts with a split halfway up the leg geared for long-distance runners. The lightweight fabric would have anti-odor, moisture-wicking and stretch qualities. Other new items include a long-sleeve T-shirt, medium-weight sweatshirt and fleece vest with a zipper.
A number of airmen also wrote letters to Air Force Link, the Air Force’s official Web site (www.af.mil), complaining about the PT uniform.
“The Air Force is fully aware of the airmen’s comments and suggestions, and our hope is to address all of them,” Athnos was quoted in the news release. “Once the items fit better for the majority of the force, we will readdress the uniform wear policy.”
Even though the PT gear needs some work, Albaugh said a standard workout uniform was a long time in coming.
“We’re in formation, we’re at a readiness run, we’re all wearing the Air Force PT uniform,” he said. “It really brings people together as a team.”
