Airmen sound off on reflective-belt requirement

[unhappycamper]

Airmen wearing reflective belts stand on the flight line Monday at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Some airmen’s dislike of the belt requirement has sparked a Facebook page titled: “I hate reflective belts.” Policy or not, some servicemembers don’t like having to wear something when it comes to trying to blend in on a desert battlefield.


Airmen sound off on reflective-belt requirement
By Mark Abramson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, November 5, 2009

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Airmen concerned about becoming glow-in-the-dark targets are sounding off about those shiny Air Force safety belts that clash with their cammies.

Airmen — and other servicemembers — have taken their gripes and giggles about the belts to the Web by starting a Facebook page titled (what else?): “I hate reflective belts.”

Air Force policy requires the belts to be worn during reduced visibility, such as inclement weather; on a flight line; and when a commander deems necessary, said Paul Carlisle, acting deputy chief of Air Force Ground Safety, via telephone from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

They must be worn in traffic environments, whether it is on a street or in a parking lot, he said.

The purpose is to increase airmen’s visibility, Carlisle said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=65860

[MrModerate]

1. I'd think your commander would let you take it off if you were currently being fired upon . . .

But when you're not -- as in 99.99% of the time -- not being run over by a truck is probably a net win.

[WillParkinson]

2. To increase the airmen's visibility...

Yeah, but to whom?