At what rank should Soldiers be exempt from organized PT?

COL Robert Halvorson I side with the Colonel on this one. For a few reasons....

To be a member of the profession of arms one needs to be able to physically handle the rigorous physical aspects of the vocation. PT provides that conditioning. As well, being a service member of any branch or component is hard and stressful. PT is a healthy way to harness and release that stress.

And, (for the Soldiers out there) simply because the Soldier’s Creed states, “I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough....” We’ve all taken an oath to “protect and defend.” Us Soldiers have chosen to live by the Soldiers Creed...therefore PT must be part of our daily lives.

Is this considered organized pt?

My thought process has changed on this many times over the years. Since this original post, I have obtained my personal trainer certification, so combined with years of experience, I think I have better insight on the correct answer. I believe that PT should be decided at the team/squad level, because evidence suggests that large group level PT does little for the individual. Not only would smaller group-level PT give NCOs a chance to identify and help improve individual Soldier weaknesses, it also could help reduce/prevent injuries. Additionally, what makes America’s Army so great is that we can entrust and empower our lower-ranked leaders. On the other hand, organizational level PT can be fun and conducive to building a cohesive and high-morale unit; however, in my opinion should be limited to once per week. I believe this can apply to all service branches. As Tomi Lahren would say: “Those are my final thoughts. God bless, and take care.”

At what rank do you remove comradre and team building from “Training”, that second word in the acronym - rank has always had its priveledges, but at what cost to the units teamwork? Do SOF units “train” individually, how successful/effective would they be? Just my thoughts...

What about just those who are not in the Army. All others should be present.

Never organized PT is a sustainment program if you want to become stronger then you’ll have to do PT on your own after work or during your lunch. “Suck it up buttercup”

Never, unless it’s doctor prescribed, but that soldier still needs to be in the correct uniform for PT formation. Throughout my years in the military, I’ve seen soldiers escape PT for all kinds of reasons. I remember having to run while coughing up a lung, and not falling out, or having a knee injury and still running. I did all that to keep from getting an ass-chewing or be seen as a “slacker-Sergeant.”

Are you passing your PT test? What is your units mission? What is your current duty? Does your duty require you to do things that would otherwise prevent you from performing your assigned duties? How many times have you seen the rest of the unit go home, and the mechanics are in the motor stables working till almost midnight to get certain pacing items up? So should they have to ocme in and do PT in a few hours? The comments by some seem to think it is universal everyone do PT. Great, then the flip side is no one goes home until the Motor Officer that every piece of equipment in the unit is up to 10/20 standards? That seems fair doesn't it?

Current and Former commanders which was more important having everyone pass their PT test or being able to roll out the front gate and be able to engage the enemy with equipment you were confident would work when it needed to? We can prioritize these things in an abstract concept, but once the shooting starts people tend to move faster. If that track breaks, or that electronic system fails, and now your opponent has the advantage. It is the wrong time to walk around and say I got a 300 on PT score. Snuffy can't perform trouble shooting diagnostics on his vehicle, or system, that he is here to support, but I hope my POW uniform is as starched as my current uniform is.

I would rather have a team of wrench turners who maybe over weight and can rebuilds without of systems, then a team of 300 studs who can't change a road wheel or a Humvee tire without instructions.

It is a balance issue, PT while important is not the end all be all of judging soldiers, nor should it be. We turned PT into something only the best of the best can do. But the reality is their a ton of other functions that need to get done, that are far more important.

Never. How can you lead by example fi your Soldiers never see you.

none.. shows favoritism