Starting time for Army APFT Test

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:42:33 -0400

Everytime I have taken a PT test, and everyone I had talked to prior to today, have always started the 2 mile run time as soon as the last person crossed the start line.

After consulting one of our AIT PSGs and looking in the regulation, it appears that there is no validity to this. the way the Reg. reads is:

“THE 2-MILE RUN MEASURES YOUR AEROBIC FITNESS AND ENDURANCE OF
THE LEG MUSCLES. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE RUN WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL
HELP. AT THE START, ALL SOLDIERS WILL LINE UP BEHIND THE STARTING
LINE. ON THE COMMAND ‘GO’, THE CLOCK WILL START. YOU WILL BEGIN
RUNNING AT YOUR OWN PACE."

I believe it the old guidance is baised off of the old 21.20 regulation.

What are your thoughts on this? Why do you think they changed it? Do you agree or disagree?

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Sep 8 at 2014 1:07 PM

CSM Mike Maynard — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 13:07:29 -0400

The iteration of the 21.20 that allowed you to start the clock when the last person started was in the 80's.

Not many folks still in that were around when this was actual the standard - I joined in '89 and it has always been that the time started on "Go".

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Sep 8 at 2014 1:36 PM

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 13:36:59 -0400

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to start the clock as soon as you sound the word go. That's how it's always been since I have been in the Army.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Sep 8 at 2014 2:18 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 14:18:10 -0400

My first couple of APFTs after I joined in '87 fell under the old "time doesn't start until last runner crosses the start line", but from either late '89 or early '90 it starts upon the command Go..was that way when I was an SGL/SrSGL at PLDC '00-'02 and as a Sr Instructor for ABOLC '11-'13. Doesn't provide an advantage/disadvantage at all, in fact if someone is worried about when the clock starts, they probably have a LOT more to be concerned about than the 1-3 seconds difference.....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2019 4:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 16:44:45 -0400

That’s the way I’ve heard it, if that isn’t the reg, then that’s a shame.