Posted on Sep 4, 2014
At what rank should Soldiers be exempt from organized PT?
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Fitness
Physical Training
Fitness Physical Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 599
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SFC James (Jim) R Brown
Correct answer Sir. I stopped the PT test on my Bn Cdr once. He had exceeded the minimum and he stopped to rest while doing setups but he stopped in the down position. I stopped the test, signed off on it and walked away. He stopped in the drill hall later and asked me the reason. I told him. He said he had wanted to max the test and wanted to know if I would administer again. My answer was "No", have to wait until next time sir. That was an acceptable answer. End of story.
Years later after I had retired and he had become a 2 star General, we were in B'ham AL dedicating a new armory. I was talking to a couple of people and in came General Burford. He saw me and came straight over with a big smile on his face. My thought was, well here is payback. He stuck out his hand to shake hands smiled and said, "SFC Brown have not seen you in a long time", how are you. I suspect if I had agreed to break the rules and do the PT test over there would have been a different story. Ah,..the good ole days.
Years later after I had retired and he had become a 2 star General, we were in B'ham AL dedicating a new armory. I was talking to a couple of people and in came General Burford. He saw me and came straight over with a big smile on his face. My thought was, well here is payback. He stuck out his hand to shake hands smiled and said, "SFC Brown have not seen you in a long time", how are you. I suspect if I had agreed to break the rules and do the PT test over there would have been a different story. Ah,..the good ole days.
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E6 and above exempt from "organized" That being said, individual PT should be monitored on some kind of honor-based log. Annual/bi-annual testing will show proof, failing/low scores should reflect on yearly evaluation report.
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Organized PT is as much for esprit de corp and unity as it is for fitness...what rank should someone stop giving a flying about that?
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My boss is a Brigadier General. He does PT every morning with us. After seeing that, I can think of very few reasons someone should be exempt from morning PT formation.
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Rank, None.
Score, yes.
270 show up monday and friday.
300 No show, PT on your own.
When I joined there was an incentive program, at some weird point it faded away and PT turned into a 1.5 hour hop, skip and jump ordeal, with less than stellar seniors opting out of actual PT to go yell at guys and gals who were leaving at 0730, hot and sweaty from a decent PT season... There was no surprise when scores started to go down.
Score, yes.
270 show up monday and friday.
300 No show, PT on your own.
When I joined there was an incentive program, at some weird point it faded away and PT turned into a 1.5 hour hop, skip and jump ordeal, with less than stellar seniors opting out of actual PT to go yell at guys and gals who were leaving at 0730, hot and sweaty from a decent PT season... There was no surprise when scores started to go down.
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All soldiers, at all levels officer and enlisted, should participate in organized PT as it is company training. The higher the level (BN, BGE, etc) should participate in subordinate unit activities to monitor their training.
As a former Soldier who consistently maxed the PT test, I never asked to be excused from doing PT with my Platoon/Squad/Team as it was my duty to lead and train them to do their best.
Redundant same old PT should never be the only form of exercise your people use. Be imaginative, put a ruck in the training plan, due something the team thinks is fun once and awhile as this makes getting up a the crack of dawn more fun.
As a former Soldier who consistently maxed the PT test, I never asked to be excused from doing PT with my Platoon/Squad/Team as it was my duty to lead and train them to do their best.
Redundant same old PT should never be the only form of exercise your people use. Be imaginative, put a ruck in the training plan, due something the team thinks is fun once and awhile as this makes getting up a the crack of dawn more fun.
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