Compression shorts
- Thread starter Renegado
- Start date
I too would like an answer to this question. But I have another question - why do kids wear compression shorts? My DD is a swimmer (since age 4) so I have no experience in any other "sports clothes" except swimsuits!! I have seen many posts concerning how many to bring and what colors, but nothing stating when they would wear them and why. Sorry for the ignorance on the subject matter.
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I'm not an ALO but I can provide perspective from last year.
Basics will be issued multiple sets of brand new ABU's on I-Day. The haven't ever been washed and are very stiff. The stiffness of the material combined with the heat, cotton underwear, sweat and lots of marching results in chaffing that can be reduced significantly with compression shorts which are synthetic and cover much more area than the briefs that are issued (or brought in the case of females). I've read that in past years, male Basics without compression shorts sometimes wore their issued swimsuit under the ABU to help reduce the chaffing. Last year DS brought and wore black compression shorts and had no problems with the cadre. Worst case they bring them and can't use them.
Basics will be issued multiple sets of brand new ABU's on I-Day. The haven't ever been washed and are very stiff. The stiffness of the material combined with the heat, cotton underwear, sweat and lots of marching results in chaffing that can be reduced significantly with compression shorts which are synthetic and cover much more area than the briefs that are issued (or brought in the case of females). I've read that in past years, male Basics without compression shorts sometimes wore their issued swimsuit under the ABU to help reduce the chaffing. Last year DS brought and wore black compression shorts and had no problems with the cadre. Worst case they bring them and can't use them.
It is possible that they will be issued the new RABU's which are a lighter fabric with a high cotton content. The regular Air Force Clothing Sales are carrying this uniform over the older ABU.
Another option to compression shorts, is to wear the PT shorts under the ABU's (this also made superman drills a lot faster). My DD did this several years ago before compressions shorts became all the rage in BCT. DS last year had no problem using his black UA compression shorts during BCT. He did however hand wash them in his sink as he did not trust the laundry with them. He took 4 pair. Sometimes it is squadron dependent and that is why you are frustrated with the answers on the forum. There are so many different experiences out there, so you have options, and it can't hurt to take them, and eventually you will get to use them, even if it is not during BCT.
Another option to compression shorts, is to wear the PT shorts under the ABU's (this also made superman drills a lot faster). My DD did this several years ago before compressions shorts became all the rage in BCT. DS last year had no problem using his black UA compression shorts during BCT. He did however hand wash them in his sink as he did not trust the laundry with them. He took 4 pair. Sometimes it is squadron dependent and that is why you are frustrated with the answers on the forum. There are so many different experiences out there, so you have options, and it can't hurt to take them, and eventually you will get to use them, even if it is not during BCT.
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- Nov 18, 2007
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- 863
PT shorts worked fine for me (and the superman speed bump was also great). It is really almost entirely up to the cadre on what is allowed and what isn't (there are some generic obvious guidlines, but no details, cadre just discuss and decide, with guidance from permanent party if necessary). If you want compression shorts, bring them and hope they are allowed. If nothing else at least they will be on hand after BCT.
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
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- 338
As USAFA10s said, the decision is flight commander discretion. I have no problem with black or white compression shorts, and I will permit my basics to keep and wear them. Other flight CC's may decide otherwise. That said, I didn't bring compression shorts to BCT, and I didn't miss them. They seem to be more important for the gentlemen. Another option is to bring body glide (stocked at running stores) or something similar.