Posted on Jul 29, 2014
Failure to pass your Physical Fitness Test (PFT) vs. qualifying with your weapon
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I saw this question on another forum and had to ask it in this one. So if you have a SM that fails their Physical Fitness Test, there are an abundance of consequences that occur. Yet if a SM fails to qualify with their assigned weapon, it is treated as a minor thing. As if to say it is ok you will get it next time. I believe that both of these areas make up the total Soldier concept so how can one be more important than the other? Should the emphasis on qualifying be just as high as your PFT?
Fitness
Standards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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All i can say is if your a NCO and a senior NCO and you can't pass a APFT or weapon qual. Then BYE BYE. But thats just me.
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree and be warned retiring NCO's and officers, it will be no less tougher on the outside. If ya cannot cut it at a civilian job or GS job, I'll hand ya your walking papers too. No freebies.
Anyone in a technical MOS that has been ignoring their skills or riding out until retirement is going to get a surprise. The degree you (not you but anyone) got from fly-by-night university is not going to save you, nor the fact that you supervised x number of soldiers. The script is flipped. You don't have to worry about the physical portion or weapons, but you will be held to a higher technical performance standard than you experienced in the military. The NCOER's and OER's are meaningless.
Of course there are always openings at Walmart as a greeter!
Anyone in a technical MOS that has been ignoring their skills or riding out until retirement is going to get a surprise. The degree you (not you but anyone) got from fly-by-night university is not going to save you, nor the fact that you supervised x number of soldiers. The script is flipped. You don't have to worry about the physical portion or weapons, but you will be held to a higher technical performance standard than you experienced in the military. The NCOER's and OER's are meaningless.
Of course there are always openings at Walmart as a greeter!
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SFC (Join to see), what a lot of soldiers don't realized is that if you can't qualify with your assigned weapon, you can be barred from reenlistment for being 'untrainable'.
So, yes, the emphasis on qualifying should be just as high.
So, yes, the emphasis on qualifying should be just as high.
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COL Randall C.
MSG Carl Cunningham SSG Joaquin Goicoechea I agree with the concept of chaptering the soldier out, but only when there has been an ongoing pattern. The core requirement of an involuntary separation (unless mandated) is that all rehabilitative approaches have been used an that the soldier just isn't going to 'get it'.
While it can be quick when actually started (The quickest I had one was about two weeks I think, from the time it is initiated to the time the soldier was out), you can't use it for PFC Knucklehead that boloed when he went to the range. Now, if this is the 3rd time he's boloed, he's been on the EST ten times, and numerous counselings on his performance ... then he's a chapter candidate.
While it can be quick when actually started (The quickest I had one was about two weeks I think, from the time it is initiated to the time the soldier was out), you can't use it for PFC Knucklehead that boloed when he went to the range. Now, if this is the 3rd time he's boloed, he's been on the EST ten times, and numerous counselings on his performance ... then he's a chapter candidate.
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COL Randall C.
SSG Joaquin Goicoechea, ahh, gotcha. Since they can be implemented and lifted quickly, my stance is 'first' time, you're barred. If that doesn't get your attention, then the chapter is waiting for you down the road.
I put the quotes around first above because my method was more like "you fail, I'm going to put a bar on you ... but, if you meet the standard in question by xxxxx (usually 1 month for APFT, next range for IWQ, etc), then the bar won't be put into effect"
However, if you fail ... pass ... fail again, then the bar goes in .. and if you keep seesawing, then other options are looked at.
I put the quotes around first above because my method was more like "you fail, I'm going to put a bar on you ... but, if you meet the standard in question by xxxxx (usually 1 month for APFT, next range for IWQ, etc), then the bar won't be put into effect"
However, if you fail ... pass ... fail again, then the bar goes in .. and if you keep seesawing, then other options are looked at.
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I agree it should be equally weighed, but I understand why it is not. As others have mentioned, you can do PT everyday but getting to a range is an ordeal sometimes. In my honest opinion, Shadow box and dime and washer drills only go so far. If you want to be an expert marksman, you need to SHOOT, period. It's just like any skill, you need to practice as you perform and practice often to keep skills from perishing.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree. I also think that god-forsaken digital range with toy m4's doesn't help either. Not realistic in the least. We used that as our qualification one time while I was at Ft. Stewart. I didn't shoot well, as I normally shoot between 38-40. I shot like 28 on this crap thing. My PSG was talking shit to me, "OH, mister infantryman, I though you knew how to shoot?" I do, but that thing is worse than playing Duck Hunter on the NES.
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