FORT BRAGG, NC — U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) released its Fiscal Year 2014 guidance Friday on the proper wear of safety clothing and gear, to include the oft-derided “PT belt” of reflective fabric.
Standards were broadened to enhance safety across a greater swath of service life, even touching on family members, pets and wild animals. Proponents of the policy change insist that though the new rules require some extra effort, they will result in improved safety. But not everyone is convinced.
“I mean, I appreciate their good intentions,” complained Jessica Sweat, wife of an 82d Airborne Soldier, standing on the porch of her Fort Bragg house. “But does the Army ever step back and think what impact their rules have on peoples’ lives? It’s a huge pain having to put on a PT belt, helmet, closed-toed shoes, and clear safety goggles, all just so I can go get the mail from the box on the corner.”
She points at the mailbox with her plastic safety flashlight, the plastic cone glowing faintly orange. “Look. The mailbox is literally right there. If you were standing over there I wouldn’t even have to raise my voice to talk to you.”
