Posted on Jul 18, 2014
Is there a better way to maintain fitness in the Army?
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I would like to see cross fit mixed with MMA training. These are high impact targeting cardio. I think it would be perfect to combat the PT failures and height/weight failures.
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I frankly have for years (since 1987) would wish it to be more like the Air Force in holding you accountable twice a year for passing the APFT and having organized for only unit morale during occasional events. Leaving folks individually responsible is the adult way of doing things, but then some just won't get out of bed and "just do it". Plug for Nike!
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I think regardless of whatever fitness regimen you believe in (I like you believe in CrossFit and other high intensity programs) - we as an institution need to hold Soldiers accountable.
Aside from demanding accountability, I think as leaders we need to be creative in our approach to fitness. And lastly, we need to relook and redesign how we do nutrition as a force.
Aside from demanding accountability, I think as leaders we need to be creative in our approach to fitness. And lastly, we need to relook and redesign how we do nutrition as a force.
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MSgt Kevin McNulty
Not sure creativity is needed. As with nutrition, and for the average military member, the fundamentals and keeping it simple will get it done. Good cardio/endurance, stretching, and some strength training.
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SFC (Join to see)
In my unit, we mix PRT, Insanity, P90X and some old school PT. Our runs vary from organized to sprints. I'm 48 years old and set the standard for my platoon. It takes dedication and hard work every day. As a reservist, I hit the gym 5-7 days a week and vary my routine. I have my run down to a sub 14 minute and pass at the 17-21 bracket with push-ups and situps. My intent being to show them it can be done when they're half my age. It is an individual responsibility, and I do not believe in group testing. I administer random monthly diagnostic tests to my squad. 1-2 soldiers per month. My team leaders are required to pass, in order to maintain their duty position.
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CPT Dave Shephard
CW3 (Join to see) - I've done quite a bit of research previously about rhabdomyolysis. Turns out statistically you have a better chance dying from lightning strike than from rhabdo. And on top of that, after looking at the death rate for cardio disease and obesity related diseases, I'm willing to take the risk.
I say a lot of that in jest (although all of it is accurate). I do appreciate the warnings, though I do believe in large part the Rhabdo - CrossFit connection is over-reported and overhyped. Rhabdo has been around long before CrossFit and is even more common (often overlooked as over-training) in traditional sports (ie. football).
In the end, you have to listen to your body, regardless of whatever training methodology you subscribe to.
I say a lot of that in jest (although all of it is accurate). I do appreciate the warnings, though I do believe in large part the Rhabdo - CrossFit connection is over-reported and overhyped. Rhabdo has been around long before CrossFit and is even more common (often overlooked as over-training) in traditional sports (ie. football).
In the end, you have to listen to your body, regardless of whatever training methodology you subscribe to.
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While that is a fantastic system, it is not for everyone. Some people would get nothing out of it, because of no interest in it. Also, there is differences in body type and metabolism that go beyond what the Army can influence. Diet also weighs heavily into those who adhere to what you described... and we all know Soldiers diets are sorely lacking in nutrition. Short of PT-ing the hell out of them, and forcing certain diets on them, the only thing we as NCOs can do is lead by example and find what works for each soldier. Only then, can they take charge and enjoy the benefit of their own physical fitness and work beyond the PT test standard.
The other motivator is actually enforcing separations for out-of-compliance soldiers. However, the difficulty here is the hurdles a unit must jump for such a thing. Months of counselings, weigh-ins, dietitian referrals, medical screenings, et cetera have made it very time-consuming and therefore not worth the effort required. That ruins unit morale, and destroys the standard.
On a semi-related note, I had a 1SG back in the day, who took all the soldiers on non-deployable profiles and had them transferred from our unit to another one in the BN, with the reasoning that we needed deployable soldiers in those slots. It worked, since almost all of those soldiers ended up being medically or otherwise separated, and gave us quality soldiers in their place.
I would not be adverse to doing the same type of transfer of "hopeless" PT and Weight Control cases... at least so they could possibly get the time-consuming medical attention they might need, and away from ruining the morale of soldiers meeting the standards.
The other motivator is actually enforcing separations for out-of-compliance soldiers. However, the difficulty here is the hurdles a unit must jump for such a thing. Months of counselings, weigh-ins, dietitian referrals, medical screenings, et cetera have made it very time-consuming and therefore not worth the effort required. That ruins unit morale, and destroys the standard.
On a semi-related note, I had a 1SG back in the day, who took all the soldiers on non-deployable profiles and had them transferred from our unit to another one in the BN, with the reasoning that we needed deployable soldiers in those slots. It worked, since almost all of those soldiers ended up being medically or otherwise separated, and gave us quality soldiers in their place.
I would not be adverse to doing the same type of transfer of "hopeless" PT and Weight Control cases... at least so they could possibly get the time-consuming medical attention they might need, and away from ruining the morale of soldiers meeting the standards.
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SFC (Join to see)
You're right not all Soldiers are the same and yes I agree nutrition is probably 80% of fitness. As I mention before if the Army could somehow mix things up and/or make fitness competitive I think it'd increase Soldiers interest and improve fitness. I'm pretty sure Soldiers didn't join the Army to be lazy and over weight. Similar to what you said we as leaders have to find away to peak their interests and the things mentioned before are just some examples. But unfortunately you are correct there are some that have lost complete motivation and have no drive or desire and the only option is chapter. That is an even more frustrating task as you mentioned as well.
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SSG (Join to see)
If the Army could get away from being a reports, briefings and meetings based military, we could do PT anytime of day. Done with CMD Maint, go get your pts on and meet at the obstacle course. Instead, the mission is 5 percent of what we do and the other 95 percent is spent talking about how it will do and how it went and how many did it.
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