Posted on Apr 27, 2023
Is grabbing the PT belt allowed during the sprint drag carry?
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So for the sprint drag carry, someone told a female in unit grab the straps grab her pt belt and pull with hips. I don't see anything in regs saying you specifically can't. Legal?
ACFT
Army Regulations
PT Belt
Physical Training
NCOs
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 4
The ATP* specifies only three 'legal' grasps for doing the event. I would not allow it if I were in charge, but there is nothing you're going to come across saying "you can grasp the PT belt as long as you have one of the three authorized grips" (or the other way - "you can't ...").
The only 'intent' shown in the ACFT Field Testing manual* is that 'Devices or equipment that offer any potential for unfair advantage during testing are not authorized'. So the question becomes, "does grasping the belt give an unfair advantage?".
Regulations (and the accompanying ATPs) are generally treated as restrictive ('you can't do it unless it is authorized' or 'these are the guidelines for what is authorized') instead of permissive ('unless it is specifically unauthorized, it is allowed) unless they indicate otherwise.
Many Soldiers (especially the 'barracks lawyers') will always try to push the limits and treat the regs the other way around (as permissive instead of restrictive). Was the comment from one of the "Troops" or was is from someone with authority?
When in doubt, ask for clarification from leadership. If its authorization is ambiguous, it's up to them to decide which is which is which.
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* https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN35869-ATP_7-22.01-002-WEB-5.pdf
* https://www.army.mil/e2/downloads/rv7/acft/acft_field_testing_manual_final.pdf
The only 'intent' shown in the ACFT Field Testing manual* is that 'Devices or equipment that offer any potential for unfair advantage during testing are not authorized'. So the question becomes, "does grasping the belt give an unfair advantage?".
Regulations (and the accompanying ATPs) are generally treated as restrictive ('you can't do it unless it is authorized' or 'these are the guidelines for what is authorized') instead of permissive ('unless it is specifically unauthorized, it is allowed) unless they indicate otherwise.
Many Soldiers (especially the 'barracks lawyers') will always try to push the limits and treat the regs the other way around (as permissive instead of restrictive). Was the comment from one of the "Troops" or was is from someone with authority?
When in doubt, ask for clarification from leadership. If its authorization is ambiguous, it's up to them to decide which is which is which.
----------------------------------
* https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN35869-ATP_7-22.01-002-WEB-5.pdf
* https://www.army.mil/e2/downloads/rv7/acft/acft_field_testing_manual_final.pdf
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CSM William Everroad
CPL (Join to see), like COL Randall C. outlined, I would say that grabbing a PT belt and the straps would not be permissible.
Think about it, it is like wrapping a rope around yourself and looping it through the straps to assist with the SDC. The sled drag measures the strength and endurance of the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, glutes, hip flexors, shoulders, abdominals, and lower back. To modify the exercise advantages one set of muscle groups over another where there is weakness.
Sure in an operational environment, we use every advantage we can get. But this is a base level fitness test. It is better to identify physical limitations so we can improve them with proper training than to "beat the test" with shortcuts.
Not only is this a violation of the spirit of the test and the ATP, it is also a violation of Army Values.
Think about it, it is like wrapping a rope around yourself and looping it through the straps to assist with the SDC. The sled drag measures the strength and endurance of the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, glutes, hip flexors, shoulders, abdominals, and lower back. To modify the exercise advantages one set of muscle groups over another where there is weakness.
Sure in an operational environment, we use every advantage we can get. But this is a base level fitness test. It is better to identify physical limitations so we can improve them with proper training than to "beat the test" with shortcuts.
Not only is this a violation of the spirit of the test and the ATP, it is also a violation of Army Values.
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WO1 (Join to see)
To add on to this as well, any school you go to (aside from perhaps a school like ALC) is going to be as restrictive as they can, and could read the instructions differently.
To get used to a strategy that advantages you within your unit would be hindering the Soldier for anywhere else they may go and get tested, so you’re setting up your Soldier for long term failure.
To get used to a strategy that advantages you within your unit would be hindering the Soldier for anywhere else they may go and get tested, so you’re setting up your Soldier for long term failure.
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1LT (Join to see)
I mean, whatever it takes to get off the X quickly, but Geez! Not my beautiful face!
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Train as you fight. If that's how they see themselves doing it in an actual combat situation where they were dragging a body or a SKED, then I would support it.
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1LT (Join to see)
CSM William Everroad After listening to the CSM, I'm not as sure. We shouldn't try to "beat the test", we should face the test head on and destroy it. It might be best to save the PT belt method for training outside of a record ACFT.
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