If a soldier gets injured or ill during an APFT, is that considered a fail?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:11:37 -0500

Basically I was grading an APFT when a soldier complained of having a cramp. The Soldier completed the push-up and sit-up event. This Soldier then went to sick call, which means they didn't start the 2 mile run. Now the issue is the FM states that is a Soldier fails to meet the min passing score they fail even if they become ill or injured. Would this be considered a failure or no. I would say yes

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Jan 29 at 2016 12:15 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:15:48 -0500

I would say an incomplete because the soldier did not complete the test.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 29 at 2016 12:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:19:57 -0500

What does the soldier normally score? Word for the wise, always check your scores after the APFT. One time I ran about 12 minutes and they scored me at 15 minutes and flunked me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:26:03 -0500

Regulation says it is. TC 3-22.20
A-37. Soldiers who fail to achieve the minimum passing score for their age and gender on any event are considered test failures. If a Soldier is ill or becomes injured during the APFT and fails to achieve the minimum passing score for their age and gender on any event, he is considered a test failure.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:34:41 -0500

You already have your answer and you answered it yourself. The FM states that he failed to meet the minimum passing score so he is a failure. If you are questioning whether or not he should be flagged I understand and I am sure your command will supply that answer shortly. However, per regulations he failed the APFT.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 29 at 2016 12:44 PM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:44:05 -0500

The soldier is a test failure, it is sometimes difficult to apply the standard, especially if the soldier who normally passes the test. As leaders our obligation is to apply the standard and set up the training and coaching needed for the soldier to be successful next time.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jan 29 at 2016 12:53 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:53:28 -0500

If the SM becomes ill or otherwise through no fault of their own incapacitated during the APFT I don't see why it should be counted. SM should be given another day to take it. Now if it becomes a reoccurring pattern then you can counsel him or her and even add malingering to it.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 29 at 2016 1:26 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:26:39 -0500

It is a test failure. However, previous APFT performance should be reviewed as it either gives them credibility or will create doubt. Either way the SM can take another APFT as soon as the commander is willing to allow it or make them wait the full 90 days.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 2:05 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:05:24 -0500

I know the Army has a regulation for everything and that is usually the book answer, literally. However, in my opinion if the soldier went to sick call and was verified with having some form of sickness then maybe a pass. If there wasn't anything wrong with him, then its time to learn that sometimes in the Army we get a boo-boo and have to push through it - like running with cramps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 3:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:10:26 -0500

SGT Gonzales,
I would like to start this off with FMs are guidelines and ARs are the unbendable law. Saying that, AR 350-1 Appendix G-9 para k is where FM 7-22 Appendix A gets it's authority to follow it like a regulation. However with this situation you brought up there are things to consider.

1. You mentioned in a previous reply that this is a brand new Soldier. FM 7-22 Ch 4-27 says, "New Soldiers need to train in the unit for 90 days before PRT leaders or AIs assess the Soldiers' fitness levels. This timeframe allows them to acclimatize, assimilate into a unit PRT program, and adapt physiologically and psychologically." Has the Soldier been in the unit 90 days? Again this is only a guideline though. I know that when I was at Ft. Carson, all Soldiers were given 30 days to acclimatize before even given a diagnostic because of the altitude.

2. The Soldier mentioned the problem before ever starting the test and probably should have been sent to sick-call straight away instead of being allowed to start the test. At this point you have to asses the Soldier, his character, work ethic, etc. Any Soldier that is trying to become a good Soldier will not go to sick-call the day of an APFT because of being labeled by their peers as a malinger. This could be the reason why he attempted to take the test, or he could just be a sh#$bag.

Because the Soldier is brand new I would give them the benefit of the doubt and throw the whole test out the window. Then counsel the Soldier on when his record will be based off the profile he probably received. Prior to that test I would ensure he is hydrating by keeping a camel back with him at all times to lower the chances of muscle cramps. I would also have him put into the remedial PT program so that he gets twice the PT per day. At Carson, if Soldiers are not running everyday then it is a good chance they will fail their APFT. Another trick for the APFT is to have the Soldier take aspirin twice a day the week leading up to the APFT. Aspirin thins the blood and helps the muscles get oxygen which will also lower the chances of cramping.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jan 29 at 2016 3:11 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:11:49 -0500

Yes it is a fail. But depending on the circumstance and the Soldier in question, the commander has some latitude on how he can address it. Example, during 2 mile run, someone drops of a cardiac arrest. Fellow soldier stops and assists with CPR and fails event. Technically that is a fail....but I seriously doubt the Commander is going to initiate a flag. Would likely let them retake it at soonest opportunity, particularly if the individual in question has no issues with APFT.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 29 at 2016 3:13 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:13:09 -0500

When something is in "Black & White" it ties our hands. Now the reg says it is a "Test Failure" however does it say that it is a Record APFT? Or can it be treated as a Diagnostic APFT (based on previous performance and guidance from leadership)? I honestly don't know, and am asking (What does the reg say, or more specifically NOT say)?

Is this a one off, based on experience with the soldier and the advice of medical?

We never want to give the impression of favoritism, however if there is a valid medical concern, AND the Regulation "allows" (does not prohibit) something, why not give the benefit of the doubt?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member If I am reading the Reg paragraph correctly that you quoted, it does treat the APFT as a Failure, and it should be recorded as such. However I don't see anywhere that says that it MUST be submitted, and/or flagged. Might be in a further paragraph however.

That said, on a counselling statement, verbiage like:

"During a Record/Diagnostics APFT XXXX Completed Events 1 & 2, however due to a potential medical issue he reported to the clinic and was unable to complete the APFT, resulting in a Fail of the entire event per Reg YYY. After being cleared by Medical on XX/XX/XXXX, we conducted a follow-up diagnostic/record APFT in which he scored X, Y, and Z for a cumulative score of YYY. I believe (no) further action is required."

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 29 at 2016 4:25 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:25:25 -0500

Yes, it would be a failure.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 5:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:37:14 -0500

That would be a fail. They left the run course for "any reason".
I would have them attempt a retest at the earliest time they have recovered from illness.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 11:36 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 23:36:57 -0500

If unable to complete the three events to minimum standards, then a soldier cannot say that they passed the APFT. The decision to flag someone for failing to meet the APFT standards depends on how the commander considers the mitigating factors. I would imagine in the scenario given in your post, the commander would look at pervious trends, as well as the medical record and provide another opportunity for the soldier to take the APFT at next opportunity.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 8:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 08:42:46 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member Yes it is a failure, but the simple solution is to give the Soldier a couple days and then administer another APFT unless there were some serious issues found when the Soldier went to Sick Call.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Feb 1 at 2016 8:52 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 08:52:16 -0500

I would consider the soldier was injured in the course of training. He gets to re-accomplish the AFPT. No fail due to injury in the process.