Now Mandatory: USCG PHYSICAL FITNESS CLOTHING

Posted on 8 May 2009 by Ryan Erickson | Comments

Wow, I didn’t see this one coming but I’m glad it did. On the public side the Coast Guard has released a new ALCOAST titled REQUIREMENT OF MAINTAINING BASIC PHYSICAL FITNESS CLOTHING. And it lives up to its name; from the message-

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE KNOWN AS THE BASIC PHYSICAL FITNESS (BPF) UNIFORM AND ARE ADDED TO THE REQUIRED SEA BAG LIST FOR ALL PERSONNEL: USCG GYM SHIRT (4) AND USCG GYM SHORTS (4).

Hmm… I have a feeling this is the beginning of a new era in the realm of the Coast Guards defunct Physical Fitness Program. Are we going the way of minatory unit PT? And how can you implement a mandatory PT program without first mandating a specific uniform for such?

Oh, and just so you know, you’ll be buying these for yourself.

THE BPF UNIFORM IS NOT ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING AND IS NOT TO BE PURCHASED WITH UNIT FUNDS.

And to further my belief that change is on its way-

THE USE OF THE BPF UNIFORM IS ENCOURAGED FOR UNIT PHYSICAL FITNESS FUNCTIONS, SUCH AS ALL HANDS FITNESS PROGRAMS, MORNING RUNS, LAW ENFORCEMENT/BOAT CREW FITNESS QUALIFICATIONS, ETC.