Is there an AR about when PRT should be conducted?

2019-09-30T02:46:01-04:00

I am an AD soldier and my battles and I have run into a little bit of a situation. We work 12 hour shifts, and at the end of each shift, the command wants us to do PT. We used to conduct PRT before the 12 hour shift, and then they changed it to after. By the time we conduct PRT, most of us have been up for 13-14 hours. We get in trouble for having a lack of motivation and morale, but we are just so tired. Any help would be great!

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 30 at 2019 6:03 AM

2019-09-30T06:03:18-04:00

Superb, there is no better time to PT. First, the actual test of your conditioning in battle is when you're exhausted and have to use all your mental and physical strength to rally to the challenge. Second, if the command is wise, you'll have your test for record scheduled prior to the start of your regular day and potentially have increased scores because of the fact that you practised fatigued and test when fresh and well rested.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Sep 30 at 2019 7:52 AM

2019-09-30T07:52:31-04:00

If you are talking about the test, yes, there is; however, it only requires the command to do the test once every six months. The command is authorized to do as many diagnostics as they need. If you're just talking about PT, no, there is not. It is a command discretion.

Think about it:

Do PT in the morning and work 12 hours - 13-14 hour day.
Do PT after 12 hours of work - 13-14 hour day.

Tell me: what's the difference?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2019 9:51 AM

2019-09-30T09:51:56-04:00

FM 7-22, dated October 2012, Section 3-14 states:
SCHEDULING AND SUPERVISING
3-14. Leaders responsible for scheduling and supervising PRT should take the following actions:
 Make PRT as important as any other training activity.
 Dedicate sufficient time for PRT (60 to 90 minutes).
 Avoid substituting other training or routine duties during scheduled PRT.
 Schedule and conduct PRT when it makes the most sense. Physical readiness training should not be
reserved only for the early morning hours and may run during or at the end of the duty day.
 Prevent the misuse of allotted PRT time by using qualified personnel to supervise and lead.
 Provide for mass participation regardless of rank, age or gender during every PRT session.
 Adhere to PRT schedules for the toughening and the sustaining phases.
 Use appropriate PRT formations.
 Use preparatory commands and commands of execution.
 Use cadence appropriate for planned activities.
 Require PRT leaders to lead and conduct activities with the Soldiers to determine appropriate
intensity levels.
 Require one AI for every 15 Soldiers.
 Require AIs to supervise the execution of all PRT activities and make appropriate correction

In 5-6:
5-6. Adhering to the scheduled intensity and duration prevents the Soldier from progressing too fast. How fast the Soldier should progress also depends on how regularly he performs challenging activities and how much rest and recovery time he gets. PRT time is a valuable resource, especially during the toughening phase. Every PRT session develops strength, endurance, and mobility. To ensure improvement, PRT sessions in IMT occur 5 or 6 times a week and last 45 to 60 minutes. PRT sessions in the sustaining phase last 60 minutes or more and occur 4 to 5 times a week. If PRT cannot be conducted first thing in the morning, it should be conducted at some other time during the duty day. Training sessions should be sequenced to ensure adequate recovery.

In 6-3:
REGULAR PARTICIPATION
6-3. Many factors may influence regular participation in PRT sessions. The most common factors include OPTEMPO and related mission requirements. Leaders must anticipate and plan for these, and must make PRT as important as any other programmed training. In accordance with AR 350-1, Soldiers are required to participate in collective or individual PRT activities at least three times per week. Optimal participation in PRT may be achieved through conducting training sessions anytime during the duty day; not necessarily only in the early morning. Leaders must understand this and make it known. Soldiers should only be excused from regular unit PRT when they have performed exhaustive duties with little or no rest, or have a temporary or permanentphysical profile according to AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 30 at 2019 10:13 AM

2019-09-30T10:13:18-04:00

1. Watch what happens if you fail the AFPT or it's replacement. Did anyone talk to the command about doing PT prior to your duty hours? PT is an individual problem, if you are able to pass the test then the unit is ok, if you don't they will get you a bus ticket home.If tired hurts your motivation, what till its 18-20 hr shifts and folks are trying to kill you.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Oct 1 at 2019 10:58 AM

2019-10-01T10:58:33-04:00

I would've loved to have had PT after the regular duty day. I would've been more awake and ready to go.