With the SMA and Chief of Staff listening more and more, shouldn't we reopen the discussion to add pull-ups to the Army PFT?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:31:11 -0400

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Jun 26 at 2016 12:47 PM

SGT Edward Wilcox — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:47:21 -0400

No, absolutely not. I know a lot of people who can score 270 or better on the current APFT that would have problems performing pull-ups. This would be nothing more than another way to put good soldiers out.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 26 at 2016 2:34 PM

1LT William Clardy — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 14:34:54 -0400

What would be the reason for adding pull-ups? Or, to put it more bluntly, what benefit does the additional measure provide, beyond soldiers proving that they can do x pull-ups if they have to?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 3:35 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 15:35:59 -0400

Well, if units can get their results up they usually have the Iron Man Challenge once members reach 300 points. This usually adds pull ups and another exercise.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2016 4:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:22:08 -0400

SGT, do you propose the Army adds pull ups to the APFT, making it a 4 event test, or replacing a event and staying at 3? Personally, I believe pull ups are a better measure of physical fitness than push ups...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 10:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 10:45:59 -0400

Believe it or not there are Soldiers straight out of basic that can't pass the current APFT lets work that issue out first before we move forward with any other changes

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 1:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 13:52:45 -0400

Can we please revamp the entire test? Pull ups, planks, a shorter run and a timed ruck march would be a better indicator of combat readiness than the current test. This is just my opinion of course....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 8:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:31:29 -0400

I would be pleased if it was reduced to 2 events. 1) the pizza eat; followed by 2) the 30 minute forced nap.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 8:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:53:45 -0400

Yes

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 10:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 22:12:50 -0400

I don't understand what the pullup event would prove. You do know that muscle weighs more than fat. The more muscle you put on makes it harder for you to do pull ups. Especially if you put a lot of muscles on your lower body, making you a faster runner.

Response by CPT Nick Bryan made Jun 29 at 2016 10:43 PM

CPT Nick Bryan — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 22:43:52 -0400

Absolutely! Higher PT standards will make us a stronger force. Good Soldiers rise to the standard and surpass it. Our Marine friends clearly demonstrate you can get a large force to achieve a high standard.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 8:21 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:21:25 -0400

Yes! Push ups, sit ups, pull ups, 5 mile run

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 9:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:16:02 -0400

NO! Your "Cool Kids Club" card has been revoked, cut up, burned and it's ashes scattered in the wind.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 9:18 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:18:27 -0400

The current APFT encourages Soldiers to run, develop their chest and core/hip flexor muscles. What it also does is cause them to ignore training back muscles, which causes numerous issues and weaknesses. It only makes sense

Response by SGT Neil Doty made Jun 30 at 2016 9:21 PM

SGT Neil Doty — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:21:07 -0400

Nope I think it would be a bad idea a lot of people can't do a pull up and it works get rid of a lot of good soilders

Response by SGT William Harding made Jul 1 at 2016 1:05 AM

SGT William Harding — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 01:05:12 -0400

I think any and additional testing such as pull ups will draw out better soldiers. I went to different schools and pull ups were required. I don't know if I would trust a soldier in a battle if they can't do 8 pull ups it shows they can't move another soldier who was injured.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2016 9:12 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 09:12:41 -0400

The APFT is already flawed with 3 events that allow a soldier to concentrate on 3 very specific motions to get a great score and then appear to be stellar. It's absolutely insane in the Infantry and Cavalry worlds how many pieces of crap soldiers are looked at as Audie friggen Murphy just because they have a 300. Pullups favor the short man, hands down. Taller people have a lot more weight to pull, and end up balanced differently since they have to keep their feet off the ground.

How about we design an all new APFT with a 3 standard events, and 3 MOS specific ones - but it's all one total score, so you can be compared to the soldiers in your branch/MOS rather than against everyone, and if you are compared outside of your MOS they only use the standard 3. If you are at a selection, you should practice for that MOS' PT test.

Better yet tie it in with your weapon qual so we can actually see how people shoot while breathing heavy. One day, a years qualifications.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2016 12:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 00:22:46 -0400

I have to ask the question? Why? Is it so there is another event that a Soldier can show off with or is it because we need to do pull ups as a Soldier? I actually do not see the need to do push ups and pull ups if we change anything I say get rid of the 2 mile run and go to a 6 mile ruck March that is more what is needed

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 4:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 16:08:17 -0400

I would GLADLY dump sit ups for pull ups. I generally run in the 13's during a PT test BUT if I'm only running a 2 mile and that's it I typically run in the mid 11's because my hips, thighs, and back don't hurt going into the run, and my groin muscles aren't tight from doing sit-ups. Several collegiate fitness programs have also ripped us for keeping sit-ups as part of the PT test for years