Soldiers wear pregnancy suits in Army training course

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Military begins pregnancy simulation training program

Fitness instructors required to wear empathy belly

The Army is requiring officers to suit up with fake breasts and fake bellies in order to simulate pregnancy, according to Stars and Stripes.

The program is meant to train up fitness instructors so they are better prepared to run specialized training sessions for pregnant soldiers and new mothers.

The newspaper reported that 14 noncommissioned officers wore the "pregnancy simulators" this week during training at Camp Zama in Japan.

The program was first developed in 2008 -- everyone in the class is supposed to wear the simulator for at least an hour. Those instructors will then run training sessions for pregnant soldiers, which is mandatory.

Some of the men in the course reportedly were not thrilled about the class.

"This whole thing is pretty uncomfortable," Sgt. Michael Braden, a helicopter crew chief, told Stars and Stripes.

But he added: "Body armor is a lot heavier."