Can a soldier be terminated during the APFT sit-up event for releasing his hands in the up position to adjust their shorts?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:11:05 -0400

My question is can a soldier be terminated during the APFT sit-up event for releasing his hands in the “up” position to adjust their shorts that were riding up? The SM in question did not hold himself up or get any rest from this act, however he did expect that the repetition would not count in accordance with the briefed instructions. I looked through 21-20’s sit-up guidance but there wasn’t anything that pertained to this particular situation.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 1:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:27:31 -0400

Based on the instructions given for the Sit-Up event, had I been the Grader I would have simply not counted that repetition. I do not see how this would have terminated the event if in fact the SM was not resting or pulling themselves up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 1:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:33:44 -0400

For starters, if you're still using 21-20 you are far out of date, but that may just be more old habits breaking through than anything else. However, using figure A-3 of 7-22, I would argue that it doesn't lead to a termination, as the directions clearly state "A repetition will not count if you ... fail to keep your fingers interlocked behind your head". This direction is repeated in pA-28. Providing the Soldier was able to meet the minimum requirement, and that the Soldier was in the authorized rest position, I'd just not count that rep. I'm not sure how that would play through legal if this was being used to build a case against them though.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 27 at 2019 1:37 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:37:06 -0400

By adjusting his shorts he. Role form and it could be construed as adjusting for rest/comfort. Bottom line is, yes he can be terminated. Thank you for your service.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 1:52 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:52:01 -0400

Yes, if the grader determined the Soldier was using the hands to rest in the up position.
Soldier should consider purchasing new ckothing items to prevent the climbing or learn to endure it for 2 minutes, and prepare for the retest.
YOU MAY NOT USE YOUR HANDS OR ANY OTHER MEANS TO PULL OR PUSH YOURSELF UP TO THE UP (REST) POSITION OR TO HOLD YOURSELF IN THE REST POSITION. IF YOU DO SO, YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT WILL BE TERMINATED.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 1:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:52:18 -0400

Unless the regs have changed since I was in, no breaking your hands does not terminate the event, now if you were in the up position for too long that could be considered taking too much time in a rest position and terminated but the grade should issue a verbal warning first.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 27 at 2019 2:26 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:26:02 -0400

Technically no, if you look at the current 7-22 or the old 21-20, I'd just discount that repetition.

However if the grader thought the Soldier was grabbing their thighs or hips to support themselves then they could justifiably terminate the event. It's a judgement call on the graders part and since as a 1SG I would have certified the graders prior to the test, and have been roaming doing QC during the event I'd support them.

My advice would be to let 'em ride and suck it up for the 2 minutes and avoid the embarrassment of being terminated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 4:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 16:17:49 -0400

It depends on how the act was is perceived by the grader. The Soldier should have informed the grader he has to adjust his shorts to prevent any confusion.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 28 at 2019 4:42 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 04:42:37 -0400

The way I was taught as a Private at Fort Benning in 1982 that if you break the hand interlock behind your head to move your hands elsewhere, your finished and have to start over again because it is considered resting. Just breaking the hand interlock but keeping the hands on the back of the head means you do not count the repitition. No idea what the regs say though.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2019 11:46 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:46:30 -0400

Breaking the hands means the rep doesn't count. Holding yourself up with hand/elbows means terminated.
You can literally have your hands straight up above your head and throw them up to assist you in getting up to the rest position (just using momentum), so that you can "rest". The rep doesn't count, but you are now in the rest position and not being terminated. Before you come up again for the next situp, those hand better be interlocked behind your head.