Army Updates Uniform Rules, Grants Commanders Discretion on PT Phone Belts

The U.S. Army is implementing updated uniform regulations, allowing commanders to determine if soldiers are permitted to wear runner’s belts while engaging in physical training. These belts are designed to hold phones and keys securely, providing a safer and more convenient method for soldiers to carry personal items while in Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU). A directive issued on Monday announced that the new rules will take effect immediately.

“We are dedicated to enforcing policies that support a professional military appearance,” stated the directive, emphasizing the value of adhering to uniform wear and grooming standards throughout the force.

The Army's latest memo features updates regarding the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), first introduced in 2018 and officially adopted in garrison settings starting in 2021. 

The recent regulation specifies that by October 1, 2027, all soldiers must don the AGSU. This will be relevant for both standard and tropical variants, with the latter intended for warmer regions. Local commanders will decide the appropriate times for wearing the tropical AGSU.

The memo provides an overview of the tropical AGSU, highlighting key details, including a restriction on the number of ribbons soldiers may display, capped at two rows with a maximum of six ribbons in total. Combat or special skill badges, along with the new mariner and mountaineering badges, are required to be displayed a quarter inch above the ribbons. The Mariner Badge, showcasing an anchor, a ship’s helm, and a winged wheel, made its debut earlier this year, coinciding with the introduction of the Mountaineering Badge, which reflects the Vermont National Guard’s Rams Head Device.

The directive provides clear guidance on the proper display of insignia by both officers and enlisted soldiers on their uniforms. Officers will display pin-on insignia on their shoulder loops, whereas enlisted personnel will position theirs on the collars. Windbreakers can be styled without insignia when matched with casual attire.

A related update has been made regarding physical training uniforms. 

A recent directive permits soldiers to don a runner’s belt for holding their phones while in the APFU. The belts feature a compact pocket and are subject to the approval of commanders, with a maximum width limit of four inches. These belts are designed exclusively for physical training and are not permitted to be worn with other duty uniforms.

“In the past, troops were observed sprinting while holding their phones,” stated Sgt. Maj. Kissta DiGregorio, a representative for the office of the Sgt. Maj. of the Army. “These belts offer a safer option for keeping phones secure while engaging in physical activities.”

Even with the recent changes, soldiers remain barred from using both wireless and wired headphones during outdoor training sessions.