APFT Scenario: What would you do?

2016-04-02T00:58:00-04:00

A soldier starts the push-up event. After 3 reps (performed to standard), the soldier goes to knees, complaining of a cramp. The soldier claims that with less then 10 reps, a restart is authorized. The grader states that the rule only applies when the grader sees improper form and tells the soldier to go to knees and explain the deficiency. Who is correct?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 1:25 AM

2016-04-02T01:25:49-04:00

This sounds situational. Yes the soldier did not complete the ten reps but it is for proper push-ups not quantity. What I personally would do is have the soldier drink water and go to the end of the line to try again if they wanted otherwise I would make down 3 push-ups if they didn't want to continue.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 1:29 AM

2016-04-02T01:29:49-04:00

The soldier is wrong for going to his knees. He failed his first attempt. I would let him have another attempt. If he is weak he is weak If he is in fact weak he will fail no matter what he tries. He could have had a cramp due to one of many reasons. Fit people get cramps. He is only delaying the inevitable. He will get another attempt if it were up to me. That way he has no chance to challenge it. I doubt a move like this would enable him to pass if he was not prepared.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 2 at 2016 5:51 AM

2016-04-02T05:51:29-04:00

Clearly subjective, in this case I would give every Soldier the benefit of doubt. Send him or her back to the back of the line and inform the OIC/NCOIC of the issue so that they can then back up the grader when the Soldier comes around again.

Remember keep the COC informed.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 6:06 AM

2016-04-02T06:06:55-04:00

Why is this an issue? If he wants a restart, give him a restart. Are we in the business if "trying" to fail people? If he gets a restart and passes, great! If he gets a restart and fails, it wasn't because you or the reg got in his way.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 7:51 AM

2016-04-02T07:51:39-04:00

I would give the soldier another restart he was within the 10.

Response by CSM David Hopkins made Apr 2 at 2016 9:25 AM

2016-04-02T09:25:09-04:00

I love how a person on here asks a question and the responses given do not simply address the question posed. Sounds like a politician NOT answering a difficult question. Now at the same time I think it is great that we think outside the box and have these discussions. So, the bottom line on the question posed is that a restart is officially not authorized. The instructions clearly state you are not allowed to go to your knees, if you do your performance is terminated. That is the easy part, but I do agree with what everyone has said, are we in the business of seeing how many Soldiers we can fail, or not giving them the benefit of the doubt? I don't believe that is the case and if I was grading the test I would allow the Soldier to go to the end of the line and attempt it again.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 9:41 AM

2016-04-02T09:41:10-04:00

Bottom line the Soldier should get a 3 recorded on his 705. Going to the knees immediately ends the event. Now circumstances as they are the grader can give the Soldier the benefit of the doubt and allow him to retake but that's on the NCOIC of the APFT.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 9:44 AM

2016-04-02T09:44:37-04:00

I pulled this straight from the APFT guidlines. "IF YOU FAIL TO PERFORM THE FIRST TEN PUSH-UPS CORRECTLY, THE SCORER WILL TELL YOU TO GO TO YOUR KNEES AND WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT YOUR MISTAKES ARE. YOU WILL THEN BE SENT TO THE END OF THE LINE TO BE RETESTED. AFTER THE FIRST 10 PUSH-UPS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AND COUNTED, HOWEVER, NO RESTARTS ARE ALLOWED. THE TEST WILL CONTINUE, AND ANY INCORRECTLY PERFORMED PUSH-UPS WILL NOT BE COUNTED".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 12:06 PM

2016-04-02T12:06:33-04:00

once he hits his knees done, a restart is given when sm is doing it wrong and the grader stops it, if the sm stops it done

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 2 at 2016 12:13 PM

2016-04-02T12:13:48-04:00

More often than not I have seen an E2 hung over, dehydrated, no breakfast, and feeling horrible to begin with. After a few pushups or situps he cramps up or gets sick and can't continue. This does not bode well for remaining events and the famous run. Drinking water may also get him drunk again. In that scenario passing the Soldier/Marine does s/he no good and sets a bad example and precedent. It is hard to believe there is even one red-blooded American Soldiers/Marines/Sailors/Airmen who cannot do 10 pushups or the minimum number required to pass

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 12:43 PM

2016-04-02T12:43:29-04:00

Answer #2. It would say it is METT-TC dependent.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 2 at 2016 4:52 PM

2016-04-02T16:52:05-04:00

You are not allowed to go your knees on your own. So a restart is not authorized. That's how I understand it.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 3 at 2016 2:52 PM

2016-04-03T14:52:24-04:00

He terminated the event.