Can we justify an Excellence on fitness without achieving 90 points in each event?

MSG Martin C. — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 18:35:59 -0400

I know the answer to this one but I would like to stir the pot a bit. I have a Soldier who is in excellent shape. This particular soldier always max his Pushups and Sit ups; however he struggles with his run. The reason is that he is an amateur Body Builder and his legs are enormous 26" to be exact. He has great stamina but just can’t get his run up to par he has participated in tough mudder, Spartan race and strong man competition; by comparison he outperforms most soldiers. What are your thoughts or suggestions?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 6:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 18:46:56 -0400

SFC Cardenas,

It is all about quantifying your thoughts. If you feel that he deserves it just back it up with bullets. I know an Army Ranger who could not max push-ups due to his massive arms. He was in combat, had experiences, and an overall good Soldier. Can you justify that he be given an excellence if he wrestled and won championships. I think you can. You just have to put down what you think and be able to support it.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 27 at 2014 7:34 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 19:34:00 -0400

Yes, there are many opportunities to earn an 'Excellence' (Exceeds the Standard) in Physical Fitness & Military Bearing...just need to know what the rater's 'standard' is for this section of the evaluation.

If the rater says the ONLY way to earn an 'Excellence' is to achieve a 270 on one APFT (90 in each event), then that's their standard.

I had an NCO that didn't earn 90 in each event (missed the run by a little bit) and still earned an 'Excellence' because we set a goal at the beginning of the rating period...if you can run 500 miles during this rating period, you'll earn an 'Excellence' in the Physical Fitness & Military Bearing evaluation section.

Now, centralized promotion board members may this approach differently and because of time constraints, may score a record lower if they do not see the Physical Fitness Badge awarded.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 27 at 2014 10:02 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:02:07 -0400

o Soldier Bench Pressed 400 lbs in a Post Strong man competition
o Soldier competed in 3 marathons this rating period
o Soldier placed in his age group during a regional Iron Man Challenge
o Soldier placed in post fitness competition
o Soldier Placed in 2 of 3 Adventure races he competed in this rating period
o Soldier won the BDE pull-up competition with 25+ in a single session

There are ways to get it done. The basis is the quantifiable.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 10:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:17:46 -0400

You really set yourself up when you make black and white, single-point-of-failure/success criteria. I think people get confused between making goals measurable and making them a straight jacket. I like what CW2 Evans did...give a list of examples. Being too specific ties your hands the other way too: if you say the 90s get you an "excellence" rating, you have to give it even if you have repeatedly told the Soldier to DX his/her raggedy uniform, or whatever might give you pause.