Posted on Feb 18, 2021
Is leadership more about the bigger picture or is it Black and White as per regulations?
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Hello all.
Have a question for you. Soldier has mental health issues, goes to BH, teleworks for the majority of last year (like most), becomes isolated and gains weight, a lot of weight. Fast forward to December, Soldier is conducting individual PT, most times by himself or with one or two others with his SGM to get back into compliance.
In February, Soldier takes a mock ACFT and height and weight. He is over 17 or so pounds, and 1 percent body fat. He started, in December, at 27 pounds over, 2 percent body fat over because he was unofficially taped to indicate where progress needed to be made (but not by his unit/ anyone in his unit). Most senior leaders would probably vouch for him getting his shit together, and even blasting personal bests (for himself and against others) during still voluntary PT with his SGM, not provided by his unit/ anyone in his unit.
The unit flags him and enters him into the ABCP immediately even though he has continued to lose weight (currently 14 pounds overweight) and the odds of him passing a follow up height and weight would have been extremely high. Is this mandatory of the command team to do after a SM fails tape? Or the result of a command team that only cares about covering their 4th point of contact and not about their subordinates and team? Service Member was promotable, understands he put himself at risk of losing it but is very disheartened at the lack of compassion from his command team, wasn't even told he failed the morning of and would have been flagged/ entered into ABCP later, instead received a calendar invite for a counseling that he stressed over for a four day weekend and neither his 1SG or CDR truthfully told him that his promotable status was as good as gone. Instead they both said they didn't think it would affect his promotable status, and/or would only be a problem the longer he is in the program.
AR 600-9, 3–5. Enrollment in the Army Body Composition Program
a. RA and RC Soldiers who exceed body fat standards in appendix B will be enrolled in the unit ABCP.
Fair enough. But given the unprecedented nature of everything that's happened last year, the Soldier's record of never having issues before (at all, not just with weight), and the fact he could/ would have passed a height and weight as little as a week later that's how close the results were, the fact he will likely be compliant to the standard even before the month is out that he received his counseling, was it truly necessary?
My personal opinion, since everyone has not been afforded organized PT as usual is that it was overkill when the bigger picture is taken into account. Is there anything he can do at this point or what are your opinions?
Have a question for you. Soldier has mental health issues, goes to BH, teleworks for the majority of last year (like most), becomes isolated and gains weight, a lot of weight. Fast forward to December, Soldier is conducting individual PT, most times by himself or with one or two others with his SGM to get back into compliance.
In February, Soldier takes a mock ACFT and height and weight. He is over 17 or so pounds, and 1 percent body fat. He started, in December, at 27 pounds over, 2 percent body fat over because he was unofficially taped to indicate where progress needed to be made (but not by his unit/ anyone in his unit). Most senior leaders would probably vouch for him getting his shit together, and even blasting personal bests (for himself and against others) during still voluntary PT with his SGM, not provided by his unit/ anyone in his unit.
The unit flags him and enters him into the ABCP immediately even though he has continued to lose weight (currently 14 pounds overweight) and the odds of him passing a follow up height and weight would have been extremely high. Is this mandatory of the command team to do after a SM fails tape? Or the result of a command team that only cares about covering their 4th point of contact and not about their subordinates and team? Service Member was promotable, understands he put himself at risk of losing it but is very disheartened at the lack of compassion from his command team, wasn't even told he failed the morning of and would have been flagged/ entered into ABCP later, instead received a calendar invite for a counseling that he stressed over for a four day weekend and neither his 1SG or CDR truthfully told him that his promotable status was as good as gone. Instead they both said they didn't think it would affect his promotable status, and/or would only be a problem the longer he is in the program.
AR 600-9, 3–5. Enrollment in the Army Body Composition Program
a. RA and RC Soldiers who exceed body fat standards in appendix B will be enrolled in the unit ABCP.
Fair enough. But given the unprecedented nature of everything that's happened last year, the Soldier's record of never having issues before (at all, not just with weight), and the fact he could/ would have passed a height and weight as little as a week later that's how close the results were, the fact he will likely be compliant to the standard even before the month is out that he received his counseling, was it truly necessary?
My personal opinion, since everyone has not been afforded organized PT as usual is that it was overkill when the bigger picture is taken into account. Is there anything he can do at this point or what are your opinions?
ACFT
ABCP
Coronavirus COVID19
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 3
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It is the individual Soldier's responsibility to maintain physical fitness and body composition. No one else's.
Most senior leaders look at a SPC(P) who fails to maintain themselves as someone who, frankly, isn't ready to lead others. Most would consider that losing promotable status is not only right by the book, but right by the Army, the unit, and other Soldiers. "If he can't keep himself in shape, how is he going to train others to get in shape?"
I understand the issues. I have chronic depression, and have struggled with it for 30 years. During my REALLY down times, I eat. And not healthy. I have, myself, ended up on ABCP (as a SFC... not a good look) due to eating my depression. I am not trying to say that this Soldier is a piece of crap for this, or anything of that nature. But, as much as the Army says it treats and views mental health the same as physical health, it doesn't. Mental health, according to the Army, is no excuse to not maintain fitness or body composition (even though weight gain is a bona fide symptom of depression - and one of the most common ones, too - it still does not qualify as a medical reason when doing the mandatory medical review for enrollment in ABCP, but I digress). So...
Long story short, yes the unit did the right thing. By the book, and by the big picture. ESPECIALLY if he knew he was over 2 months ago, and failed to get down to standard in that time.
The only other thing I will suggest is that a LOT of units I have been in will allow a Soldier to request a re-tape, usually conducted by the 1SG, personally, or a PSG that the 1SG has identified as being an SME. (One unit, all failures AUTOMATICALLY reported to 1SG for a re-tape immediately after their failed initial tape.) This is, by no means, required. There is no requirement for personnel conducting the tape to be "certified" or anything of that nature, just to follow the rules set forth in the Reg. But, let's face it, not everyone conducts the tape test the same. So I have worked with many 1SGs that give the benefit of the doubt - especially for folks who are 1 or 2% off - and have a "certified" NCO (i.e. one that the 1SG has personally trained or witnessed and approved) conduct the tape. If your unit has that policy, it may be in your Soldier's best interest to avail himself of it. But... based on your post, I am guessing even if your unit DOES have that policy, it is too late to make that request
Most senior leaders look at a SPC(P) who fails to maintain themselves as someone who, frankly, isn't ready to lead others. Most would consider that losing promotable status is not only right by the book, but right by the Army, the unit, and other Soldiers. "If he can't keep himself in shape, how is he going to train others to get in shape?"
I understand the issues. I have chronic depression, and have struggled with it for 30 years. During my REALLY down times, I eat. And not healthy. I have, myself, ended up on ABCP (as a SFC... not a good look) due to eating my depression. I am not trying to say that this Soldier is a piece of crap for this, or anything of that nature. But, as much as the Army says it treats and views mental health the same as physical health, it doesn't. Mental health, according to the Army, is no excuse to not maintain fitness or body composition (even though weight gain is a bona fide symptom of depression - and one of the most common ones, too - it still does not qualify as a medical reason when doing the mandatory medical review for enrollment in ABCP, but I digress). So...
Long story short, yes the unit did the right thing. By the book, and by the big picture. ESPECIALLY if he knew he was over 2 months ago, and failed to get down to standard in that time.
The only other thing I will suggest is that a LOT of units I have been in will allow a Soldier to request a re-tape, usually conducted by the 1SG, personally, or a PSG that the 1SG has identified as being an SME. (One unit, all failures AUTOMATICALLY reported to 1SG for a re-tape immediately after their failed initial tape.) This is, by no means, required. There is no requirement for personnel conducting the tape to be "certified" or anything of that nature, just to follow the rules set forth in the Reg. But, let's face it, not everyone conducts the tape test the same. So I have worked with many 1SGs that give the benefit of the doubt - especially for folks who are 1 or 2% off - and have a "certified" NCO (i.e. one that the 1SG has personally trained or witnessed and approved) conduct the tape. If your unit has that policy, it may be in your Soldier's best interest to avail himself of it. But... based on your post, I am guessing even if your unit DOES have that policy, it is too late to make that request
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My first question....Where is the 5500 showing he failed HT/WT and tape to warrant enrollment into the ABCP?
If there is one written up, and signed....then that is an official 5500 and warrants enrollment into the ABCP. It does not matter the circumstances of how this year has gone. It is still up to the individual Soldier to maintain HT/WT standards.
Once a SM fails HT/WT, there is no option but to Flag him and enrollment into the ABCP. Does it suck, knowing that they would be able to pass the following week? Sure. But, the black and white of it is that it has to happen.
Now, if there is no 5500 that is showing failure....then why the enrollment?
If there is one written up, and signed....then that is an official 5500 and warrants enrollment into the ABCP. It does not matter the circumstances of how this year has gone. It is still up to the individual Soldier to maintain HT/WT standards.
Once a SM fails HT/WT, there is no option but to Flag him and enrollment into the ABCP. Does it suck, knowing that they would be able to pass the following week? Sure. But, the black and white of it is that it has to happen.
Now, if there is no 5500 that is showing failure....then why the enrollment?
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Thank you to responders. The Soldier had a successful HT/WT 3 weeks later and the FLAG was filed as erroneous so his P status was returned.
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