Do you feel that PT is emphasized above tactical or technical proficiency in your unit?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 08:56:52 -0500

Many times I hear that APFT score is the main deciding factor on who to send to school and recommend for promotions. I am wondering if this is common on a wider scale, outside of my personal interactions.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 9:01 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 09:01:16 -0500

When it comes to schools, PT for me is only a qualifier/ disqualifier. I will not send a Soldier to school only to wash out for PT. I do need people to attend schools in order to prepare them for greater roles in the unit.
The exception I would allow for is hooah schools, where PT is an integral component.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 26 at 2016 9:04 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 09:04:53 -0500

PT is one of the most "visible" things we do. Almost everything else is "transparent" and extremely Subjective. However when you put a PFT score down on paper it becomes an Objective way to measure someone against their peers.

When you have limited slots for anything, and you are down to your top 3 candidates, you pick the "most visible" thing. Right or Wrong, PT is going to be a delineation factor. When a 1SG or CO who doesn't get a lot of time with his 100-150 guys has to choose someone, the way he measures "best" is going to come down to very simple terms.

This doesn't mean the PSG or Squad leader didn't use different criteria, just that the funnel changes as we go up, because it is significantly harder to make Subjective analysis when you don't know individuals who are removed from you as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 9:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 09:07:57 -0500

I've seen that happen in other units I've been in where a soldiers PT score decides pretty much anything they're allowed to do. I do believe that a soldier should maintain a high level of fitness because PT is part of being a soldier, and there are certain things like Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger, Spec Ops, Sapper, etc. where PT does play a big role, but I don't feel it should be a deciding factor for everything. There can be a soldier who's completely squared away and does his job well but has a little trouble with PT and that soldier won't be able to go to a school or get promoted or whatever the case may be. Now if a soldier is constantly failing their PT test and isn't making an effort to correct it then I can understand them not being selected for promotion or school etc.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jan 26 at 2016 10:10 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 10:10:46 -0500

Physical fitness is at the top of the list. However, it shouldn't be the determining factor every time. This wasn't the case every time, but I had some Marines that were in shape, well within standards but couldn't run well. Therefore they had high 2nd class PFT. Their overall performance was outstanding in the field and out. According to the order that Marine can't go to a school because he didn't have a 1st class. I just believe that other factors should be looked as well.
I will leave you with this. How many service members did you see get promoted just on PT and book smarts alone? I have seen too many.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 11:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:18:47 -0500

I don't feel that way in my current unit, but I have felt that way in previous assignments. It got to the point that in the Brigade QTB if the unit didn't have an APFT average above 260, then they were the scum of the earth, and if it was above 260, that unit could do no wrong, it didn't matter if they had six dui's and a whole mess of EO complaints.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jan 26 at 2016 12:32 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:32:29 -0500

Personally I feel that today's military places far too much importance on PT scores. A person's overall performance of their job is far more important. Of course everyone has to pass the test but does the supply sergeant, the cooks or the battalion clerk really need the same level of fitness as an infantry leader? Of course not. A perfect PT score is not going to really help them that much as far as doing their job is concerned. In many jobs technical knowledge is much more important.

Response by SPC Corbin Doades made Sep 14 at 2017 5:49 AM

SPC Corbin Doades — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 05:49:57 -0400

I believe it is. During my 9 years of service, I struggled with my APFT. Running was my main problem. Failed that everytime by at most 2 minutes. When it came to other aspects of my service, I made it a point to know not only my duties but that of my team and squad leaders. During my first deployment, my squad leader made me learn the in and outs of .50cal and our commo. I took it a step further and learned from the armorer and our commo chief. This proved helpful during my second deployment as I was able to solve radio issues without needing the commo crew which reduced downtime and insured missions started on time. Because of my APFT failings, everything else was overlooked.