What will happen if I fail the APFT as an Officer that is not qualified?

2020-02-19T08:26:03-05:00

I have currently failed an APFT test, and have one in the next month. I commissioned as an Officer last May from an ECP College, and I have had issues with the run. My grandmother recently got cancer before the first APFT and I found out my father had it also around the same time. I’ve been completely depressed, and don’t think i have the physical capability to pass the APFT. I’ve not been eating, and over-working myself, so it has caught up to me. What will happen? If i fail my record APFT twice? Is there anything I can do to minimize the damage, and get ahead of this? I understand i should have realized the responsibility this comes with, but I can’t change my mental capacity on my father anymore. I want to spend every second with him that I can. Thanks for Listening, any solid genuine help would be greatly appreciated. I’ve already read AR635-500. I’m in a NG unit.

Response by COL John McClellan made Feb 19 at 2020 8:49 AM

2020-02-19T08:49:24-05:00

Yes... don't fail a 2d time! Take a few minutes, get out and run, and make sure you can make the minimum run time with 30 seconds or so cushion! Sounds like you are facing considerable adversity right now. Only choice is to rise above. Have you discussed all this with your Commander?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2020 8:49 AM

2020-02-19T08:49:31-05:00

Sorry about your loss. I lost my dad right before I commissioned and it was hard. However you HAVE to keep working on your PT. You have to force yourself to make better choices when it comes to your diet and health.

You get flagged for not passing your record apft, it can reflect on your OER, and then you get involved into remedial PT, and it can and does hold up your promotion to 1LT once you become MOS qualified. You need a passing APFT (soon to be ACFT) to get into BOLC and you'll take one at BOLC too.

It sucks losing a parent. But would your dad want you destroying something you've worked hard to do? Work with a friend counselor, and get back to it. Grief is a process, but it Doesn't mean everything seems just gets to be put on the back burner. Responsibilities still need to be taken care of.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2020 8:51 AM

2020-02-19T08:51:26-05:00

And! I've been in therapy and counseling a couple times. GO! You are able to recognize that you're depressed, and you're acknowledgement that it's affecting your career shows you need to seek help. Counseling is an amazing and under utilized tool.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2020 9:40 AM

2020-02-19T09:40:37-05:00

Sir or Ma'am,

What you need to do is go see behavioral health yesterday and work out what's going on with your mental health. Based on the description of your current mental state it seems unlikely that you would be able to follow any steps identified to mitigate damage to your career. Regardless of what advice you receive you will need to get your mental health in order as step one. Trying to overcome depression on your own, without professional help is only going to amplify your issues. Best of luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2020 9:42 AM

2020-02-19T09:42:23-05:00

My father died the week before I left for OBC. We held his funeral on a Friday and I was driving to Fort Bliss early Saturday morning. I know this is not what you want to hear but, if you want to stay in, you just have to suck it up, try to compartmentalize it and focus on your running. and, as has been suggested, go to counseling. there is no shame in seeking help.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 19 at 2020 11:00 AM

2020-02-19T11:00:45-05:00

LT, I don't know what's going to happen to you, and if I did, I wouldn't tell you, because that's not where your head needs to be at, but suffice it to say you already know it won't be fun. It sounds like you got some real heavy stuff in the background that is weighing on your mind, and it's not fair and I feel for you, really, but in order to pass, you have to figure out HOW to push all that to the side--if only for a while--and focus on YOU and specifically, focus on what you need to do to pass, not what will happen "when" you fail.

Easier said than done, right? Of course it is, but it can be done. Find that one factor, that one motivator, whatever it is, that will drive you forward in the face of everything that is standing in your way. Maybe you need a coach, a counselor, a friend to help work through this stuff and keep you pushing forward. I don't know, but if you can overcome all you got going on right now and pass, I know it won't make your family issues go away, but you will feel better about yourself and I gotta imagine that will help make things easier to deal with on the home front--if only a little bit, but every little bit helps!

When I read you post it concerns me you are almost resigned to failing. Don't fixate on the consequences of failing. You already know its not good, so why parse out every negative possibility other than to make you feel worse? Is that what will really help you succeed; knowing everything that may befall you if you fail again? The first step is to start focusing on whatever it is you need to do to succeed; you've come this far, you can get back on track, and do so while still spending quality time with your dad. I really believe it's possible.

To quote the great American philosopher Rocky Balboa: "The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward."

No it aint easy LT, and your obstacles are real, but keep moving forward. Good luck!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2020 12:06 AM

2020-02-20T00:06:56-05:00

I don't care what college you went to. You are an officer, so seek the help that you need to handle your depression. Run every day and pass the next APFT. You are not the only one that has traveled a rocky road. Pass the APFT, no excuses Second Lieutenant.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Feb 20 at 2020 7:06 AM

2020-02-20T07:06:55-05:00

Start working your way up your chain of command. I hate to be the one to break this to you, but you're a recently commissioned second Lieutenant. Pinning on gold bars doesn't instantly transform you into the wise, all knowing officer you may develop into. While it is your responsibility to balance all the factors in your duty and off duty life so that you can be an effective leader, it is your senior officers' responsibility to assist, teach and guide you on accomplishing that process, use them as the teachers and leaders they are supposed to be.
Young officers, just like any person new to their position, need guidance and training. Those officers senior to you that work with you should provide that.

Response by CSM Danny S. made Feb 21 at 2020 9:37 AM

2020-02-21T09:37:53-05:00

Pass your next one. You will be leading soldiers and you need to set an example. Life is full of challenges and you over coming them will help you deal with things in the future.