Should a PT instructor perform the exercises as well?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:00:13 -0500

When I lead PT I love to show the soldiers that I can perform the exercises as well. However, there is a certain NCO in my unit that never performs any of the exercises when it's his turn to lead it. Am I just being too Hooah, or is he is in the wrong. Sorry, but this bothers me.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 6 at 2019 12:11 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:11:21 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member You're Doing it Right! Lead By Example. Show the Proper Method! I't Should Bother You that You're Fellow NCO Has No Concept of Leading by Example!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 12:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:14:41 -0500

As I was taught at ALC and reinforced at SLC, the instructor performs the exercises in mirror-wise fashion while the assistant instructor should move through the ranks helping individuals with proper form. (During the Preparatory and Recovery Drills). If the instructor is running exercise drills such as a circuit or running drills such as 30-60-90s, it is recommended that they participate as much as possible while still maintaining control over the event. I have seen the instructor and AI switch off during the running exercises to allow each to get some of a work out. During military movement drills, the instructor does the drills along with the last rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 2:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 02:11:05 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member yes, the PI should leads the exercises. The AI will make corrections. If you both are squared away, you can switch every so often and get your reps in. Especially if you’re executing PRT IAW FM 7-22. But come on down to the DSA, we’ll help you understand PRT, fully.

1SG Private RallyPoint Member it’s the “preparation” drill, not “preparatory.” Common mistake, but words have meaning.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 3:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 03:51:26 -0500

I'm sure PT has changed a lot since I was in. But at unit level we never referred to an NCO as a PT "instructor". An NCO was tasked to LEAD PT, which meant being in front of the formation doing the exercises while calling out the cadence.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 6 at 2019 4:00 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 04:00:46 -0500

Never ask your subordinates to do what you will not.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 8:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:28:07 -0500

I agree with you. I say lead by example.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Feb 6 at 2019 9:23 AM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 09:23:42 -0500

I've seen PT leaders but never an "instructor" who taught us the best ways to exercise.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 6 at 2019 10:02 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 10:02:20 -0500

We did PT back in the mid Sixties with the raised platform NCO instructor (usually one of our own training NCOs) doing the “daily dozen “ followed by a run ,all NCOs were involved to the best of my knowledge,and we did it all sans PT belt with no KIAs reported!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 6 at 2019 11:50 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:50:27 -0500

"Always do everything you ask of those you command." - General George S. Patton

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 11:53 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:53:39 -0500

Yes, the Instructor should be doing the exercises along with the formation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 12:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:31:55 -0500

He definitely should do the exercises, in my unit the leader of pt usually brings a lower enlisted up there with them to perform pt and get them used to leading

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 6 at 2019 12:35 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:35:01 -0500

Of course you should. You should also have a strategy, whether you take an occasional brake or another NCO circulates ensuring proper form by the Soldiers. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Feb 6 at 2019 12:38 PM

SGT James Murphy — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:38:50 -0500

When did this change? I'm an old school guy and the DI always Did Everything with us and lead the freaking pack up the hill!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 6 at 2019 6:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:01:57 -0500

He is unequivocally wrong by not doing PT with his soldiers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 7:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 19:11:53 -0500

I never, ever encountered anyone leading PT who didn't also do the exercise.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 6 at 2019 7:30 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 19:30:46 -0500

Yes....I will count the cadence, you will count the repetitions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 8:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:48:42 -0500

primary instructor conducts exercise AI spot checks.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 9:13 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:13:54 -0500

SSG Scheil,
I completely agree with your sentiment concerning leaders conducting all PT exercises when leading. Just like any other training which NCOs provide to their Joes we should be the example and lead from the front. I have found NCOs which are unwilling to perform the must basic of leadership roles usually are failing their subordinates in other ways. Thank you for being an outstanding leader and demonstrating to your Joes what a leader truly is.