How to counsel for a failed ruck march?

<p>You cannot perfrom UCMJ on this soildier however it does reflect bad unit morale. You can counsel the soldier on his perfromance and enroill him in a after hour PT program in order to get him to meet unit standards. But you cannot charge him a UCMJ for this the only two that apply is 2 MILE RUN for PT failure or 4 MILE RUN for maniditory army requirement.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;Possible topics to discuss during counseling looks like this:</p>
<ul>
<li>Plans to improve level of physical fitness
<li>Individual fitness plan
<li>Assessment plan
<li>Consequences of continued substandard performance
<ul>
<li>Soldier's perceptions
<li>Career implications i.e. recommendation for promotion and schooling
</li></ul>
<li>Goal timeline to achieve and maintain unit standards
<li>Tips to reach your goals
<li>Recommended facilities </li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="bld">Possible Plan of Action:</p>
<ul>
<li>Enroll SGT Doe in the unit's Extra Conditioning Physical Fitness Program
monitored by the unit MFT.
<li>Have SGT Doe develop an individual fitness plan IAW FM 21-20
<li>Submit physical fitness to the Platoon Sergeant for review and approval
<li>Have SGT Doe develop a dietary and proper sleep plan IAW FM 21-20
<li>Solicit peers for encouragement and support </li></ul>
<p class="bld">Possible Leader Responsibilities:</p>
<ul>
<li>Enroll SPC Doe in the unit's Extra Conditioning Physical Fitness Program
monitored by the unit MFT.
<li>Review individual fitness plan to verify it meets and supports SGT Doe's
goals/objectives
<li>Protect after duty hours so plan can be implemented
<li>Encourage peers to provide moral and physical support
<li>Conduct diagnostic APFT to verify progress/benefits of individual
supplemental fitness program</li></ul>

There is actually no regulation governing ruck sack marches. Army Regulation does cover PT requirements based on age and gender, along with medical profile exemptions. Also, there is actually NO requirement for any Soldier to pass a ruck sack march... it may be a unit requirement, but it is certainly not a testable Army requirement.

The other thing to consider is the Soldier a good performer at work, as a Soldier- and how are his normal PT scores, and what is the Soldier like out in the field. Also, has this Soldier been overseas? Did he sustain an injury? Sometimes we all have a bad day.

I once fell out of a ruck march as an NCO... the reason was because I had an injury to my hip - which was cracked - I spent too much time being a leader taking care of troops and not taking time off to take care of myself. Well, that one day - proved to be costly. I have since had 3 hip surgeries and now I tell younger troops - make it a point to listen to your body and tell your leaders when you're hurt and don't be ashamed to get a profile in order to rehab your body. The Army is just like a professional sport - and as athletes we need to be able to perform at an optimal level... the only difference is - we aren't preparing for a game, we are preparing for combat in which the lives of our fellow Soldiers depend on our ability to be healthy and fit, and a ruck sack march is not a measure of fitness, healthiness or endurance.

First of all, kudos to you for seemingly using counseling for your soldier's improvement-instead of what some may consider "check the block" EOM counseling. Counseling in writing is such a powerful tool that should be used for the good and bad (i.e. use posi counseling when your soldier finally passes the FM).
Although not necessarily regulated by policy or regulation (hopefully SOP), I'd include in his negative counseling the exact day that you'll retest him, allowing a 2-4wk retrain period. If he/she fails the retest, I'd talk to your bosses about a bar to reenlistment, or at least requiring him to jump in your unit's special pop PT. The bar would only be incentive if this SM values their career.
Make sure you're talking to your immediate leadership all thru this process, and it's good for your soldier to see you right along side him/her as they tackle this hurdle-you won't be soon forgotten by them.