Can a CSM deny orders for a leadership school such as BLC or ALC just because you don't get a 70 in each PT event?

No

According to FM 21-20:

"Service schools, agencies, and units may set performance goals which are above the minimum APFT standards in accordance with their missions (AR 350-15). Individual soldiers are also encouraged to set for themselves a series of successively higher APFT performance goals. They should always strive to improve themselves physically and never be content with meeting minimum standards. Competition on the APFT among soldiers or units can also be used to motivate them to improve their fitness levels.Service schools, agencies, and units may set performance goals which are above the minimum APFT standards in accordance with their missions (AR 350-15). Individual soldiers are also encouraged to set for themselves a series of successively higher APFT performance goals. They should always strive to improve themselves physically and never be content with meeting minimum standards. Competition on the APFT among soldiers or units can also be used to motivate them to improve their fitness levels".

This paragraph is based on AR 350-15. Both units and military schools can raise the the minimum standard. A good example is the WLC graduation requirements at Ft.Carson of which the minimum score is raised to 70 on each APFT event:

http://www.carson.army.mil/units/wlc/_assets/docs/wlc-graduation-requirements-v2.pdf

Therefore your CSM can delete orders given to Soldiers that have a score of 60 on each APFT event. Look at this way, WLC is strict when scoring Soldiers during an APFT event that would be in accordance to a complete adherence to Army Regulations. As such, this might reduce the score of Soldiers due to incorrect repetitions. For a Soldier that only achieves minimum standard on an APFT, this could lower a passing score to a failing score. The Soldier would then be kicked out of school and deal with a headache that the Soldier and their unit does not want. I would highly recommend working with the Soldier to improve their APFT score (under the strictest of standards) to better prepare them for leadership courses and not risk setting the Soldier up for failure.

Leaders, in the next 10 years, Military and Federal leaders will need to take more attention/responsibilty for the federal budget. You must find ways to cut the budget and ensure that funds are spent only on the best. We will not be able to afford, almost good. We may not be able to afford extra training, if there are good personnel who are trained, why spend the funds to bring to standards one member, when we should be helping other members to exceed standards. We will be responsible to put limited funds in best improvement for the organization.
This is not radical, businesses have been doing this for years. America has a budget problem.

SGT Parrott,

IAW 350-1 Chapter 3-12 i (1) Individuals must meet course prerequisites and have demonstrated high levels of performance, mental capacity, aptitude, and self-discipline that clearly indicate potential for continued development. (2) Individuals must be fully qualified to perform tasks at their current skill level, be recommended by their chain of command, have their personal and financial affairs in order, have required clothing and equipment, and be mentally and physically prepared for all course requirements.

This is straight out of the regulation. I have found that when I have a question, looking at the regulation gets me the answer in its truest form. There are plenty of people who will give you their opinion based on the amount of knowledge they have accrued throughout their years of service. and that may be accurate or construed by how they interpret it. However, the regulation should be your starting point. If you search for it and still have questions then you have given your due diligence.

So, to answer your question "Can a CSM deny orders for a leadership school such as BLC or ALC just because you don't get a 60 in each PT event?" It depends, how do you read the requirements? I read them that you must be recommended my your chain of command. This does NOT have anything attached to it. This is a requirement for all training, at least as I am aware of it. Just because a Soldier feels that they are ready for a specific school or training does not mean that they feel the same way. We do not promote ourselves, we put ourselves in a position that hopefully gets us promoted, by our chains of command.

SFC Evans

There are only so many NCOES slots available. Since not everyone can go it only makes since to send the best. 60% keeps you in the Army, if you want to advance and lead you need to exceed the standard.

From personal experience on both sides of this issue, I agree that if you meet the standard, you should go. Of course, as you and I both know, meeting the standard at a unit and meeting the standard at a school are two different things. I've known many Cadre who will do their utmost to NOT count a sit-up or push-up if it is even SLIGHTLY off their own personal "standard." A good friend of mine didn't get into Ranger school for this very reason. Your CSM may seem like he/she's making it extra difficult on you, but as others have commented, he/she's actually looking out for your best interest. No one wants to be handed a ticket home on the first day of a leadership school -- and if you are really concerned about not being allowed to attend the course, you might want to talk to your CSM and find out his/her reason. You may be surprised. In my 27 1/2 years in service, I never wanted any of my soldiers to fail.

No offence to anyone, but meeting the minimums should not be the goal. I know for a fact that as an NCO I had no 'power' to grant or deny, rank, promotions, waivers, schools, or trips to the board. What I did have was the ability to make recommendations to the commander, and fortunately, my recommendations carried a lot of weight. My advice would be to treat the CSM's standard as the minimum, and simply meet it. Your CSM gets the benefit of the doubt that your best interest is the motivation here. Maybe the School House is tough on PT and we all know that failing a PT test at an NCOES school is really, really bad.

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