Posted on Aug 4, 2015
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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PO1 Command Services
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Let me start off with, I am not making excuses. I have only been officially taped once in my career. I have been an ACFL, last year to be exact. About 20% of those that were required to be taped were in incredible shape (lifted weights, etc.). Just to show that the taping method is inaccurate I volunteered to be taped at the first official BCA following the birth of my first child (officially weighed in at 145; 5'8" - my height can be up to 170). Even though I was well within weight standards, when I was taped it had my BCA way over the allowed percentage. I am not saying to make the standards more "lenient" but at least more "accurate." I am glad to see the new changes because it is the "elephant in the room" for many commands. Previously a BCA failure was an automatic PFA failure. But here is a better link to the actual changes in the Navy....

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/navy/2015/07/30/new-fitness-standards-easier-girth-focus-health/30849729/

"We had several thousand of sailors who failed the BCA last year," said Vice Adm. Bill Moran, Chief of Naval Personnel. "None of these sailors took the [PRT] last year, so we don't have any idea if whether they're fit at all or capable of carrying on a mission — we just fail them."
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PO1 Command Services
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS I think the biggest issue is that many commands do not truly support the fitness culture and would rather members PT during their own time. But this is not something that many single parents can do on their off time or realistically anyone with a family. I like that the new policy not only holds the individual responsible but now it also holds the commands responsible for failing their service members. While I agree that satire can be entertaining, it normally is so to everyone but those personally affected.
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PO1 (Join to see) you still raise lots of valid points about how fouled up the system is. I have never been a fan of the system, especially for sea duty sailors, who rarely have the opportunity to work out, and whose work schedules are so brutal that huge carb loading is how most of them get through it...

And yes, it was clear the minute I saw DDG 151 (Nathan James) that it was a joke - that's the ship on "Last Ship" on TNT network...
PO1 Shahida Marmol
PO1 Shahida Marmol
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Our CFL was a female, and she was within weight standards as well, but she chose to do the the exact same thing as you, and she didn't make the tape.
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PO1 Utilitiesman
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As long as they're not going to any type of displacement tests. Our old ACFL that was assigned to the Range I work at scheduled the air displacement variation for us at the Air Force base right down the road. EVERYONE came in at least 10% OVER what we were taped at, with the exception of our ACFL and one of our TAD range coaches. She and our Range Coach came in at something like 10% and 2%, respectively.
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LCDR Deputy Department Head
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Good ole duffelblog...

Amusing read though haha!

I've always thought the Navy PT test should be jumping off the deck of the aircraft carrier in flight deck gear and swimming to shore (half a mile away).

If you make it, you pass. If you don't...
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LCDR Deputy Department Head
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Fair enough! In my situation it should probably be different for submariners. Maybe a breath hold swim from 100 feet down to the surface.
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PO1 John Miller
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PO1 Dean Chapman
I think the bubble head PT test should be "can you fit through a scuttle?" :)
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SFC Bde Ops Sgm Oc/T
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Duffle Blog is the best!!!
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