Posted on Oct 25, 2014
Should the Military award those who can Maintain a High/Max PT Score?
27.7K
96
41
9
9
0
I know some units allow their Soldiers to do PT on their own if they score a 290 or above, but never does this really happen.
If one can cont to pass at a high score of 290 or above should they be allotted to do PT on their own as long as they cont to maintain that score? As an award they would be able to train themselves more for what they need instead of what they are told to work out.
Myself gained more fitness, strength and everything else when working on nights and we went to the gym everyday. I know what I needed to improve on as well had a great work out routine. When it came time for PT I just cont to improve and esp out shine the men.
Opinons?
If one can cont to pass at a high score of 290 or above should they be allotted to do PT on their own as long as they cont to maintain that score? As an award they would be able to train themselves more for what they need instead of what they are told to work out.
Myself gained more fitness, strength and everything else when working on nights and we went to the gym everyday. I know what I needed to improve on as well had a great work out routine. When it came time for PT I just cont to improve and esp out shine the men.
Opinons?
Fitness
Physical Training
Working Out
Awards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
7
7
0
I think so. Being allowed to PT on your own shows a unique level of trust from the unit leadership. It's a privilege most soldiers would be proud to have and therefore an effective motivator for soldiers to up their score. If soldiers are consistently getting 290 or above (there aren't many in most units) then they're doing something right. They're likely doing additional PT on their own to maintain that kind of score so reward them occasionally - once or twice a week. Why not?
But I agree with CPT Hermida that PT has a greater purpose and unit/group PT is essential on so many levels. Been in for over 20 now and many of you will understand when I say that some of the most vivid memories I have are of colossal group PT sessions...that time we ran 10 miles...that time we got lost while TDY at Cherry Point...the grueling buddy carries up "Cardiac Hill"...or that time my shoe fell apart and my squad encouraged me to keep going to the end...bloody toes and all.
Group/unit PT is critical to unit cohesion and individual leadership development. One of the things I love about PT is the fact that we're not wearing rank. PVT Snuffy can (and will) lead stretches or call cadence which might not ever happen otherwise. It's an opportunity to exercise leadership and put into practice ones motivational skills.
If someone has a bad PT day or falls out for some reason...they learn from it, others learn from it, and tomorrow is another day. In the end everyone goes to breakfast, puts on the duty uniform and switches focus...until tomorrow morning and then it's game on again! Group/unit PT really is essential to the Army experience.
But, I see no reason why soldiers that excel couldn't be rewarded once or twice a week for superior physical fitness. It's just one more method of rewarding soldiers for exceptional service and motivating others to do the same.
But I agree with CPT Hermida that PT has a greater purpose and unit/group PT is essential on so many levels. Been in for over 20 now and many of you will understand when I say that some of the most vivid memories I have are of colossal group PT sessions...that time we ran 10 miles...that time we got lost while TDY at Cherry Point...the grueling buddy carries up "Cardiac Hill"...or that time my shoe fell apart and my squad encouraged me to keep going to the end...bloody toes and all.
Group/unit PT is critical to unit cohesion and individual leadership development. One of the things I love about PT is the fact that we're not wearing rank. PVT Snuffy can (and will) lead stretches or call cadence which might not ever happen otherwise. It's an opportunity to exercise leadership and put into practice ones motivational skills.
If someone has a bad PT day or falls out for some reason...they learn from it, others learn from it, and tomorrow is another day. In the end everyone goes to breakfast, puts on the duty uniform and switches focus...until tomorrow morning and then it's game on again! Group/unit PT really is essential to the Army experience.
But, I see no reason why soldiers that excel couldn't be rewarded once or twice a week for superior physical fitness. It's just one more method of rewarding soldiers for exceptional service and motivating others to do the same.
(7)
(0)
SFC Scott Parkhurst
I so agree Sir! I smiled when I saw "Cardiac Hill !" PT is a TEAM effort. I used to run right along side many Officer's and Soldier's alike who were just about to give up at the end of a two mile run during testing and tell 'em "worry about feeling sick AFTER crossing the line, and give it your all right now and and think about how many seconds actually do count to you passing!" And they would kick butt and pass!! And I can think of many runs and yes...even those "farts" during sit-ups and the "not suppose to laugh" giggles which brought us all closer. I felt more proud to be fit and it even made me a much better NCO and leader in fitness. My Unit busted their ass to promote me and made sure I got all the MOS's I wanted (5) and I strongly feel it was because of my PT scores AND the way I presented myself as a proud United States Army Soldier! And that's the way it should be. If you can't maintain that attitude and wear a clean uniform and let yourself go and dissect your Officer's and NCO's then maybe it's time you either get counciling and or leave the military?
(2)
(0)
(1)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
PO2 Toby Que Military members will soon need to wear a ‘cape’ to accommodate all of the patches, awards, medals and ribbons if this proliferation of Blings continues!!
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
Definitely. I am personally think it's a waste of time having soldiers who are in top shape and able to get a 290 and above doing muscle failure when he or she can do that on his own. Also, this serves as an incentive for the soldier to continue exceeding the standard and motivate others to do the same as well. At the same time, it's important to occasionally have company with all the soldiers present to stimulate espris de corps. Other than that, SMs with high PT score should be awarded for their hard work and discipline.
(7)
(0)
SGT Jason Anderson
Sure. If you are above excellent in PT, work out alone. And when you are the best in whatever your MOS is, you can do that alone. And when you get really good at everything, you can be your own army.
Hell, how do you think Rambo got to work alone all of those years, anyway???
Hell, how do you think Rambo got to work alone all of those years, anyway???
(2)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SGT Jason Anderson I'm sure CAPT Baxter Goodly isn't asking to do his own pt everyday all day. Just as a few people have stated, a few times a week is nice esp when your platoon is doing body weight muscle failure. Why hold someone back say myself which didn't do anything for me when I could hit the gym and gain!
Random Note:
Btw there are some people who are soooo hooah in todays army they are their own. Look at half these NCOs (no offense to anyone) I had quite a few that thought that once they got that 5 pinned they were greater then gods s**t.
Random Note:
Btw there are some people who are soooo hooah in todays army they are their own. Look at half these NCOs (no offense to anyone) I had quite a few that thought that once they got that 5 pinned they were greater then gods s**t.
(1)
(0)
(2)
(0)
SP5 Sam Green
At my command if you were able to max the PT test, there were more perks than just do your own PT, we didn't have to assemble for battalion assemblies(It was voluntary).
What was interesting is that I easily maxed the PT test, by a wide margin, but I was very athletic.
There was one other guy in my company named Durkey that also easily maxed his PT score, and he was a 2-3 pack a day smoker. We were good friends and his smoking and maxing PT tests always had me shaking my head.
What was interesting is that I easily maxed the PT test, by a wide margin, but I was very athletic.
There was one other guy in my company named Durkey that also easily maxed his PT score, and he was a 2-3 pack a day smoker. We were good friends and his smoking and maxing PT tests always had me shaking my head.
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
Thought we already awarded something for it! Isn't this badge of honor bestowed upon those who get and retain physical fitness excellence? I know junior enlisted and officers who receive Certificates of Achievement for promotion points from Battalion Commanders. Is there something more warranted for maintaining one's personal and professional physical fitness? How about living an extra 10-20 years and not becoming a couch potato? I think the Army does a good job recognizing it with a patch for the uniform for everyone to know who you are and then the one's who need the points, the COAs work. For mid-term careerist, well just being a professional is enough without the recognition.
(5)
(0)
SFC Scott Parkhurst
I think the point here CW5 Sam would be a "Ribbon" on the Uniform as well. Which I know you understand...And your totally right about the 50 points towards promotion etc. as you so well stated by the way. I personally think a ribbon would be cool as well. It just shows "marksmanship" in fitness...why not? We have it for the grande and 9mm and rifle? Why not fitness? Fitness is actually harder to get and maintain, don't you think? I have expert in the 9mm and M16 and the grande and yes I had to keep those up in order to wear those medals....but to keep my 300 was A LOT more harder and 20 years to do...not as easy as the others let me tell ya!!! I just ask that you put a tad more thought into this that's all. Thank you Sir.
(2)
(0)
SFC Scott Parkhurst
P.S., It's an image thing as well...When you see someone with "ribbons/medals" yes you are looking at what they are and where they've been...that's natural, and tut's what they are for. Is it bragging right's? Well, maybe and may not. For me it's both. It's mostly pride for sure. It's mostly showing schools and where I've been! But for those that I know who know what the ribbons mean then the "expert" stuff kind of means a lot...I would want someone to know that "Hey, that Soldier kicks ass in the 9mm and M16 and other weapons and shit, he's in great shape too!" "Maybe I won't kick his ass!" LoL! "And I know how hard it is to get that APFT ribbon...man I sure want to EARN one of those and be fit for the Unit and see how well I'll be better for it as human". It worked for me when I saw the 9mm on a uniform...but I was police officer too and I still wanted to earn that medal though and then I ended up being a weapons expert! Backfired on me LoL! Point is...motivate our Soldiers!!!
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google