Can a squad leader make us come in on our days off for 0600 PT & 1600 Remedial PT?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:00:59 -0400

Hello! I was wondering if there is a regulation on the amount of hours of PT we can do for PT a week, as my Squad leader has all APFT failures do PT 3 times a day Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 2 times a day Tuesday and Thursday, and 1 time Saturday with Sunday being the only "rest" time, I don't mean to sounds like a sh*t bag but I feel (along with the others in the group) that the excess amount of PT is causing more pain the helping, I failed my run by a minute and 8 Secs (Need a 15:54 got a 17:02) first diagnostic before all this PT I brought it down to a 16:04 then all the PT hit and I am going UP I went to a 16:32, then a 16:42, I feel a lot of pain and I want to bring this up to my Squad Leader but I'd like to have some type of Regulation or Command Policy that will back me up if possible, if they're is none, is there any advice on how I should go about making contact?

Edit: I see a lot of backlash, I just want to push that I am not trying to complain or anything like that, I am new to the Army and not sure exactly what is allowed and what isn't, as a private it's very nerve racking asking to speak to my squad leader. Thank you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 7:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:32:30 -0400

You are in the Commanders remedial PT program. If they want you to workout on weekends, you work out on weekends. If you dont like working out on weekends, pass your next APFT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 7:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:34:08 -0400

Read your commanders policy letter on PRT, there should be a section in it that outlines their requirements for the program and when it can and can not be conducted. If you don't want to put in the extra work, don't fail.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 7:40 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:40:48 -0400

Dude, you failed a PT Test. Your squad leader is doing his job as an NCO to ensure his soldiers are PT’ing since you failed to do so on your own along with your other squad members. This isn’t out of line at all. What you should be doing instead of complaining, is making the most out of it and pushing yourself to your limit every time you PT. For the pain, you probably have weak form and bad running shoes. Go invest in some actual shoes and look up videos on how to improve running form, I suffer from the same thing after my Ranger School injury. Long story short, do the PT, pass your PT Test, and don’t let yourself fail another. They're pretty easy, and if you fail again within 3 months, you will be removed from the Army. So let that be some motivation for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 7:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:41:02 -0400

Your commander should have a policy letter on the remedial PT program, ask to see that

Response by 2LT Brian L. made Apr 6 at 2020 7:43 PM

2LT Brian L. — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:43:57 -0400

Oh man......

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 6 at 2020 10:11 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 22:11:54 -0400

Quite honestly, while there is no policy to stop this, it does sound like they are breaking people down. Ask when the next test is and will you have some recovery time. Is the same person leading all of these sessions as it sounds to me, it needs to be to prevent harm to those in this program. You have a couple options for rest, one go get seen by a medical provider with a pain complaint. Not certain this is the best option as your leadership, right or wrong, will develop an opinion of why you went. Another option, if the Army is important to you and you think they are over doing it, take a week of leave to rest and recover. Leaders can and do break their people in regards to PT.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 10:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 22:12:17 -0400

A tactful way to address this might be to raise your concerns that the PT is actually decreasing your scores and ask if the squad leader would seek guidance from a Master Fitness Trainer, H2F facility, or contracted personal trainer to develop an appropriate exercise schedule.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 10:42 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 22:42:19 -0400

**Update**
I spoke with my Squad Leader and he actually understood, while also pushing his points AND directing me to the policy letter, he stated he would like to have a meeting with everyone else in the squad that is also in Remedial PT, to discuss further PT plans as to not strain us or injure us. Overall I am actually proud of myself for being able to use my chain of command, and help out fellow soldiers who were confused and wanted answers. Thanks to all who replied and gave me tips and/or criticism, it helped out either way! HOOAH!

Response by 1SG Cj Grisham made Apr 7 at 2020 1:58 AM

1SG Cj Grisham — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 01:58:51 -0400

Best advice I can give is: don't be a PT failure and none of it will matter.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Apr 7 at 2020 2:24 AM

SSG George Holtje — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 02:24:05 -0400

I think there might be some overdoing it. Particularly, if a run is involved with all sessions. Making it a squad trip to the gym in the afternoon to focus workouts on individual weaknesses I say no.

Response by MSG John Joseph made Apr 7 at 2020 8:11 AM

MSG John Joseph — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 08:11:19 -0400

I commend your Squad Leader to ensure his soldiers are ready and able to fight. Complaining about him conducting remedial shows a lack of desire and motivation to push youself to be the best. The APFT is simple enough to pass.
My advice since your new is get away from the mafia, they wont help your career and take ownership of yourself. PT, weapons qual and basic soldier tasks are something you can excel at with some effort and motivation on your own.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 7 at 2020 9:46 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 09:46:17 -0400

You should tell him "NO!" - Let us know how that works for you. Pretty sure the CO & 1SG are aware he's taking his time after hours to be there with you.
Could your low scoring have anything to do with you being unmotivated to improve yourself thus your NCO has to make you do the additional PT?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 9:53 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 09:53:36 -0400

In a nutshell, if the Commander has a policy stating that is the plan of action for Remedial PRT....then YES your Squad Leader can have you come in for PRT on your days off.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 10:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 10:13:10 -0400

My best advice is if you have a complaint be prepared to come with a solution and a plan.

My next point is Train use this time to improve your PT score. Improve yourself and insure moving forward you use this time to reflect and improve your overall fitness.

This is just the start to your military career. Work hard and improve take this experience and apply it to military learning. Practice resiliency and keep motivating yourself to achieve your goals.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Apr 7 at 2020 11:18 AM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:18:27 -0400

You gotta ask yourself a question. If you were the squad leader and had people failng the PT Test, what would you do? Would you sit back and just let it happen? Let your Platoon Sergeant and 1SG look at you and say, you're not a leader and can't even train your troops to pass the PT Test. Would you trust that they are trained enough to follow you into battle and keep up? A squad it a team. Are you doing anything to help your team members or help yourself? Are you part of the problem or are you going to be part of the solution. Now, that's me being nice.... Get up off you ass and work out, get on the track and run. Quit whining and do your job. Staying fit to fight is part of your job and not coming in here and crying about your Squad leader training you to do something that you should be taking the initiative to do yourself. While reading this, you should already be in the front leaning rest.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 7 at 2020 11:37 AM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:37:47 -0400

Try calling cadence in your head while doing the run. You should know plenty of double time songs by now. That is what I did to pull a 70% score on the run in basic training. Mind over matter.....

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 7 at 2020 11:48 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:48:36 -0400

Yes they can, especially if the commander has directed a remedial PT program be conducted for failures and special population troops look at the PT manual and AR 350-1,...….However, PT 3 times a day is not wise, unless the Squad leader has done a very good job of targeting muscle groups; which would be hard to do. A component of PT is recovery. If you do not plan a balanced program you end up injuring Soldiers and actually lowering their fitness level. Talk to the PSG and 1SG. Sounds like SGT high speed, means well but may be misguided.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Apr 7 at 2020 12:14 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:14:29 -0400

Hey Buddy your in the Army. There are no days off.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 7 at 2020 12:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:30:53 -0400

NO Fool, He can just wait till you flunk again and then ask the Commanders to flunk /chapter your non soldiering butt out of the Army! Good God, YOU flunked and the chain is trying to get you up to speed and you want to whine about it. He is trying to get you trained up, Jesus- show me in your F*^(%#@ contract where is specifies a 5 day work week and I'll kiss your 4th POC.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 10:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 22:43:47 -0400

You're on active duty? Silly, they own you 7 days a week if they want. Don't like weekend PT? Self-motivate, actually PT yourself, and have some discipline and you'll eventually do it. Leaders lead from the front, slackers hide behind regs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2020 9:46 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:46:31 -0400

You, and others, are in the PT program for a reason; failed to meet the standards. Your best course of action is to pass the APFT and get off the remedial program.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2020 8:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:19:59 -0400

Physical fitness is a must on the battle field, best way to pass your APFT is not to be a follower but lead it. I speak from experance based on my time in active duty. Exercise is only good if you eat right as well. Salads everymeal is not eating right. Eating prtien is the best way but if not done right can bite you in the rear. I erdge you to google todays health foods and focus more on streching before you head to bed. One last bit of advice, talk to your sqad leader and ask them if they might have any tips. Your sqad leader is there to train, mentor and motivate you for improvement. No matter how much PT you do, you will only get as far as you willing to push yourself. Like one of my gunnery sgts use to say, you already have the tools to go far, but lack of passion and confidants. You will only go as far as you let yourself. Besides if you realy want them to back off just set a goal to out run them in the next APFT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 11:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 23:40:08 -0400

It sounds like you have a good squad leader... Remember that he is just trying to help you succeed. Since you have failed PT you are flagged and can not receive any favorable actions i.e., promotions or awards. It’s in your best interest to work hard and get physically fit. I saw this several times as a squad leader. A new soldier passed basic and ait gets to his unit, starts becoming complacent and fails PT. Once you pass the remedial PT goes bye bye.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Apr 10 at 2020 11:02 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 11:02:19 -0400

Old School Answer: oh hell yea!
In today’s Army, probably not...
just my two cents...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 11:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 11:07:55 -0400

Youll be aight

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Apr 27 at 2020 3:38 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:38:27 -0400

It would be odd that a profession that relies on a member's physical fitness would limit the amount of time you can train for a physical fitness test.

The best remedy for getting out of the remedial program is to pass the run.

This takes me back to Basic. For some reason I developed a mental block and could only knock out 28 when I needed 42 to pass. But you keep doing them. By the time of the final PT test, the drill sergeants made us go to bed early after the mess hall. With that extra sleep, I passed with 42 pushups that day. Later, my top would be 75 in two minutes at Permanent Party.

But the more you run, the better you get. Run, Seabiscuit, Run!!!

Response by Capt Al Parker made Apr 29 at 2020 7:01 PM

Capt Al Parker — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 19:01:24 -0400

If your in the Military your on duty 24/7. Remember the oath of office you took, I shall obey all orders of those above me. Suck it up soldier.

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made May 16 at 2020 4:33 PM

SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales — Sat, 16 May 2020 16:33:24 -0400

to me that seems a little excessive as far as the weekdays... maybe doing your regular morning pt and then after being released by your sections give it another go, just twice a day.. the body does need rest in order for it to build stamina and endurance. As far as the weekends... you get no pity from me.. 0700 or 0800 and then you're off for the rest of your weekend..

Response by Cpl Tyler Therrien made May 17 at 2020 11:35 AM

Cpl Tyler Therrien — Sun, 17 May 2020 11:35:25 -0400

the short answer is NO there is no limit if you're not passing your PFT

Response by SGT Joseph Dutton made May 18 at 2020 10:30 PM

SGT Joseph Dutton — Mon, 18 May 2020 22:30:38 -0400

I think Physical Training is just a waste of productive & costly time as a whole for all. Wither one can or can not pass their APFT program doesn't mean he/she can or can't do their job. As long as a service member maintains their height and weight to include BMI then should be exempt from the APFT. The ones whom can not maintain it, should be put on a Physical Fitness program. The Physical Fitness Program should be conducted by the Post / Base and on weekends & holidays so there is no Bias from individual commands. If your not retired yet and when you do retire you will start feeling 20+ years of Physical Torture that plays havoc on your Bones & Joints about 10 years after retirement. Some sooner, some later. Now back to your ?. If your squad leader orders you to come in on your days off for remedial PT then not only the squad Leader has to be there, so does the Platoon SGT and Platoon Leader.

Response by CPL Joe Wysocki made May 22 at 2020 11:18 AM

CPL Joe Wysocki — Fri, 22 May 2020 11:18:28 -0400

you do what they say if dont like it dont join. Its temporary you have gills in you unit do they complain?

Response by SPC David C. made Mar 23 at 2022 11:23 PM

SPC David C. — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 23:23:31 -0400

My question is, if you're new to the military, why are you content on not making the standard or finding admin support for your failure? Doesn't matter if you missed the mark by a minute or ten, you missed the mark. End of story. Step up your game or find another line of work. That may seem harsh, but that's how it is.

Response by SSG Dale London made Mar 19 at 2024 9:13 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 21:13:47 -0400

This post is a bit old but I'll reply anyway.
First - yes, too much PT can bring your scores down -- in the short term. But if you stick with it, they'll bounce back and you'll be stronger and faster for it.
Second - If you are training merely to pass your test, the best you will ever do is mediocre. Forget the test and do your best. Aim to always be getting stronger, faster, and more capable. When you aim at the test, you'll always be underperforming.
Third - Nowhere in your enlistment contract does it say you get weekends off. Just remember that time off is in the hands of your CO and the NCOs over you.
Finally - get it out of your head that remedial PT is a punishment. It isn't. It's a tool to help you achieve the required standard of fitness for service in the army. If it's too tough for you, maybe you should consider a transfer to the Space Force, or just get out -- which will happen anyway if you continue to fail your test.
Your future is in your hands. Decide whether service in the army is worth a little sweat and strain. Then apply that decision to your attitude and actions. Don't just say it, mean it.