Posted on Apr 25, 2014
SSG Robert Burns
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So this is the same track that the Soldier failed on who failed by just a few seconds. Turns out the route is 2.05 miles. That's about 80 meters too long. That can account for quite a bit of time.
So my question is...now what? Is everyone's APFT invalid? This has been the same route for years.
Posted in these groups: P542 APFT
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Responses: 12
MAJ FAO - Europe
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We're having this conversation at my current duty station, not for a past APFT, but for one planned for Thursday. Its surprising to see 19 responses to your question but not a single doctrinal reference or reference to regulations.
AR 350-1, Paragraph G-9 m(2): A minimum of 4 months will separate record tests.
So you can't take another record APFT for four months, per the regulation.
FM 7-22, Appendix A, Paragraph A-17: There is no requirement to survey 2-mile run courses; however, selected test sites should be free of significant hazards such as traffic, slippery road surfaces, and areas where heavy pollution is present.
So the Army is ok with your unit using a track that ends up being 2.05 miles. Close enough is close enough, according to the Army.
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SSG Supply Sergeant (S4)
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Sir, the requirement is stated in the paragraph above.
FM 7-22, Appendix A, Para. A-16.
The OIC and the NCOIC should select a test site that is flat and free of debris. The test site should have
the following:
A flat, measure 2-mile running course with a solid
surface that is not more than 3 percent grade.

The FM even goes into detail on exactly how much to add if running on a 400 meter track.
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MAJ FAO - Europe
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SSG (Join to see) - As often is the case, doctrine/regulation can be internally contradictory. Who writes an FM and in one paragraph says there's no requirement to survey the run course, but in the next paragraph says a "measured" 2-mile course? I guess the doctrine writers just want to give us something to discuss....
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SSG Supply Sergeant (S4)
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MAJ (Join to see) - Sir, perhaps the FM is drawing a distinction between measured, as in Joe walking the track with a wheel (as I did for my company), and survey which implies a person with a degree and much more high speed equipment. Although the 3% grade does imply survey.
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MAJ FAO - Europe
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SSG (Join to see) - Perhaps. One would think doctrine writers would define their terms a bit better. With GPS devices and mapping tools, though, getting pretty close to 2 miles shouldn't be that hard.
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SGT Brian Watkins
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I would go on a long tirade about how nothing is perfect in life, pushing yourself...um, working out, and blah blah blah. Fair is fair, just remeasure it and hope they pass it next time. Why even bother thinking about motivating them to try harder when we can all be winners? They are obviously more concerned with the length of the track than the fact they would have barely passed that shit anyway, lol.
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SGT Squad Leader
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My old unit had a similar problem, except it was eighty meters too short. I was HHC Brigade, so Brigade Commander rejected the outcome and had the whole unit retest two months from then as they made an accurate new route. Those soldiers who were looked at an individual basis and were given an option to make an appointment within two weeks to retest on the new route. I'm with SGT Welsh, and those who failed be given a re do and anyone who wants to retake it for school or promotion, should be allowed to take it again.
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SGT Squad Leader
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It was, they took out the wheel and recorded it.
But yeah, I've heard those barracks lawyers too. Usually the lawyer that can barely pass the run.
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