Army APFT: Should NCOs have a higher minimum 'standard'?

SFC Galvan, please take a moment and read my comments above addressing that "...barely making minimum standards...statement of yours. The requirement to achieve a score of 180 points does NOT have the word "MINIMUM" attached to it. The Army STANDARD to be in acceptable physical condition is "180" points. Please answer this question: exactly what course of action will you take if I achieved a PT score of 182 points? Chastisement? Disparagement? Condensation? Punish in some manner? Turn up your nose and look away when we pass each other? Trust that I fully understand your point of view, which is shared, unfortunately, by too many others who believe that physical prowess alone makes them better than someone else. I believe that my thoughts on this matter will garner as much attention as a pimple no one wants...but like it or nor, I refuse to fall prey to an attitude that I am less of a qualified soldier than one who can run faster than me. I truly believe in the adage 'there is lesser and greater in all things,' including physical achievement. We are human beings, not automatons set on automatic to be exactly alike in our perfection. I pass the PT test - I am good to go. Now, for the record, I have always exceeded the requirement for each of the events and scored in the +200 range, right up to the point in Iraq when the Army threw me out for being too old (59 years of age). During the Balkan Conflict, at 51 years of age, I passed PT with similar scores in temperatures at 20 degrees F while men exactly half my age were failing. I'm personally quite proud of my efforts, but have never looked down or thought less of anyone scoring fewer points than I did.

Good morning Sir. Thank you for your comment, I understand your perspective.
Minimum passing score is referenced in FM 7-22. “Each Soldier must score a minimum of 60 points on each regular event taken to PASS. Yes, achieving the minimum repetitions for a score of 60 points is Army Standard and acceptable for achieving physical readiness IAW the regulation. In my exact wording, minimum is used and the regulations also refer to maximum standards, interpreted as the base line assessment tool to measure levels of fitness. “Commanders may establish unit APFT and PRT mission related goals which exceed Army minimum standards. However, individuals must be aware of these goals and be able to achieve them safely through the use of normal training time and adherence to the phases, principles, components and types of training outlined in FM 7–22. Personnel who meet Army minimum standards, but fail to meet unit goals, may not be punished or disciplined. However, they may be required to participate in special conditioning programs which focus on overcoming a weakness. Commanders who establish higher goals should do so because their unit missions require Soldiers to be more than minimally fit. AR 350-1, G-9, c (2),” This excerpt pertains to units with mission requirements demanding higher levels of strengths, endurance and mobility, minimum is used to set appropriate and intense physical readiness training to exceed minimum Army Standards as mission dictates. Many RC units do have higher standards for assigned mission and instilling self-discipline allows those Soldiers the fortitude to make the time and exercise.
My comment is not intended to serve as an attitude in making Soldiers less qualified for their position because of their APFT score. It’s the perception from troops of leaders who don’t put forth the effort don’t give a S***. I’ve seen many NCO’s and Officers who are fully capable of more repetitions, just do the minimum amount, and have heard “that’s all I’m doing because that’s all I’m required to pass.” Now what example does this set to those Soldier looking up to these individuals as leadership? To do enough in your duty position to get by? We should be striving for greater success. As also stated barely making minimum standards, does not pertain to those with profiles for physical limitations. Soldiers define their physical limitation, in order to achieve standards, they must prepare, set objectives and execute physical activities to achieve desired outcomes. However, in the RC, many face challenges in their civilian life that affect physical readiness. Discipline is vital to improving physical capabilities, in this Soldiers are responsible for achieving physical fitness standards and maintaining physical fitness. At any time RC units may be ordered to active duty in operational support and only striving to meet minimum standards once a year in my opinion is unacceptable for leaders- mental agility & strength, discipline and endurance will overcome situations in extreme circumstances and environments.
Putting forth the effort… I see this as giving it your all. For Soldiers in my formation, effort is all I ask for to meet standards. I recognize those who have the highest score, male/female, & by section. I also acknowledge those who make improvements, it’s the team work, words of encouragement and team motivation that have resulted in my unit improving APFT standards. Leaders can develop the environment encouraging others to achieve and exceed Army standards. Ultimately the Soldier should take pride in self. Leaders can only take them so far, providing them the tools and resources, understanding of personal responsibility in physical readiness- it is upon the Soldier to instill self-discipline to take it from there. Thank you for your time Sir.

Agreed Sir. Our BDE requires us to administer everyone scheduled for NCOES a diagnostic APFT (not just the 30-day APFT diagnostic) and they are required to score at least 70 points in each event to proceed. We have a NCOES policy and all NCO's within the BDE should have received this initial counseling. It's upon the discretion of the BN/BDE CSM to send someone who scores less than 70 points. Realistically, if they are passed at unit APFT with 60 points, most likely, a repetition or two will not be counted, end result, NCO is returned for not meeting standards.

I know things get harder as we age but I ran a marathon a little over a year ago and the guy that came in first was your age the guy that came in second was older so I would not say that age is the only factor.

I agree. Like I said I made more than one of my troops puke. They were more afraid of having to run with me than they were getting a mark down on their EPRs. Age is a factor, but it isn't the only factor.