At what rank should Soldiers be exempt from organized PT?

I retired as a USAF MSgt and I was the TACP school medic. I could've stood in the stood on the side observing everything during PT, ruck marches, swims and beach PT, but I did not. Nothing garnered more respect from the instructors and students than me out there side by side doing everything. I was determined not to be that typical SNCO who stood on the side with coffee in my hand. Joining your troops has everything to do with esprit de corps, cohesion and you leading by example. When a leader embraces the "suck" along with the troops, those troops will tend respect and follow that leader over on who watches or never shows up. Yes, I was just the medic, but I had instructors and students who would've done anything I needed because they knew I cared. Be that example and that leader; your troops will do what you do.

No rank! As a leader you have the obligation to leave from the front and you should be one of the most physically fit soldiers within your unit at whatever level you serving. I served at the I Battalion , brigade and the Army Alaska command Sergeant Major and in all those positions I did my daily PT with the unit. As the Army Alaska Command CSM, LTG Lovelace & I would run 4-6 miles along know unit run routes so the soldiers would see on the trails.

I know I'm late as hell but here's my 2 cents. Squad Leaders and up shouldn't be doing unit PT.

As a Squad Leader, you should be training and selecting the best Marines as your team leaders. With that, you should be teaching them/pushing for them to go to fitness courses. Bare minimum taking Force Fitness online.

The Team Leaders will know way more about what their guys need and can tailor PT programs for them. In addition to that, not all teams are going to struggle at the same things. One team may suck at running, the other may suck at strength. Doing PT at the Squad Level is too "one size fits all" and won't correct individual deficiencies effectively. Also, while not necessarily bad at squad level, the larger the PT group, the easier it is to be cheese dicked.

If you are a Squad Leader, part of the reason you should have been put there is because you are ahead physically (among other things obviously). You should be taking care of your fitness regardless.

During the day while teaching classes and white space training as a Squad, you should be evaluating your guys on whether or not they are performing to the standard for the job. Afterward, you meet with the team leaders and come up with a PT plan to improve everyone in each team. You should be facilitating everything needed. One team needs HIIT training? One team needs strength training? Walk your ass into the company office and tell your Platoon Sergeant you need times reserved for a HIIT instructor at the HIIT gym for that team, and cut the other one loose to the gym the following week.

Your team leaders are your killhats, you are the SDI for lack of better terms. As a squad leader, you should be "daddy" so the junior Marines have a mentor/mentee relationship with you. You teach them, evaluate them, and delegate corrections to the team leaders. You are the enabler for training. You deal with the paperwork and dumb bullshit formalities so the team leaders have free reign to do what is need

But that's me. I'm huge into small unit leadership and, as a squad leader, I kept myself busy.

No rank should be exempt from PT. The low ranking needs to see the high ranking do the PT just like them.
Helps MORALE

Only when they reach the exalted rank of PFC. (Private F******* Civilian)

Active Duty = Active PT
Every Marine is a Rifleman from the Commandant down to E1.

Never it was awesome to see First Sgt to Sgt Major out for PT with you all .

Organized PT establishes Espirit De Corps. In my opinion (and you know what they say about opinions) I wouldn's say what rank but what soldier? If you have some PT studs that score 290 or above, they can do individual PT twice a week and the other 3 days with the unit. If you have submitted paperwork and going to retire then you should be done with PT. Do it on your own if you desire but if you are in your mid to late 40's, can barely walk from all the jumps, etc. why kill yourself? You are done, move out and thanks for your service. There are probably other exceptions but do you really want to be an Army of One? TEAM and there is nothing more motivating first thing in the morning than unit runs.

Well when I was in leaders did pt with the troops that shows them you are a team and not a individual.

Never, one team, one mission.