Can a NG NCOIC make you do 70% on the pushups on the APFT?

PFC(P) Corey Hannen — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:41:11 -0400

My friend was told he has to be able to 70% on the pushups in two months or he is getting discharged...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 8:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:44:21 -0400

FM 7-22. Reg states 60% is passing standard. All your friend has to do is meet the requirements set forth by the Army. But I don’t see why your friend wouldn’t want to push himself to do better.

Response by PFC(P) Corey Hannen made Sep 6 at 2018 8:46 PM

PFC(P) Corey Hannen — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:46:19 -0400

His National Guard RSP unit NCOIC is telling him he has to be able to pass with 70% or he is getting discharged

Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Sep 6 at 2018 8:48 PM

LTC Stephen Conway — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:48:59 -0400

Always do your best! Don't just try to pass for the minimum. Is an Airborne standard 70% at the youngest age bracket?

Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Sep 6 at 2018 8:57 PM

LTC Stephen Conway — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:57:39 -0400

When I was younger like in my twenties, I couldn't even do 30 pushups. When I joined the Army National Guard age 31, I made sure I could do 50 pushups, 50 sit-ups and at that time I was able to run 2 miles and 12 minutes because I used to be a cross country Runner. I'm now 55 years old and I can still do 66 pushups and about 56 sit-ups and run as 1630 2 mi. For my age, that's about 273 points. I would recommend that he work his way up and do 80 pushups. If he has to do two sets of 40 and then maybe do a third-set for 120 pushups in one day. Give himself a couple days off for the pain to go away and then do it all over again push-ups, sit-ups and 2-mile run I was able to do that 85 situps and going extended scale on the APFT. It takes time. I'm sure there are other cross training exercises or even though I could help you as well as planking.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 9:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:08:17 -0400

The company can set a standard but the Army owns the standard and the company would lose the battle

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 9:12 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:12:19 -0400

He's in RSP. Is he split op? If he hasn't gone to basic, all he has to do is make weight (entry standards) and pass the 1-1-1, which is definitely not scored on the APFT standards.
If he's split op green phase and heading back for AIT, he does need to pass the APFT. I can't imagine a recruiter creating a pipeline loss intentionally when someone is ready to ship, but there may be extenuating circumstances. I've seen recruits who gained a bunch of weight between BCT and AIT, and the recruiters made them pass weight, not just tape, in order to ship.

Response by MAJ James Woods made Sep 6 at 2018 9:24 PM

MAJ James Woods — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:24:36 -0400

Bottomline, no they can not forcibly discharge a soldier who met the minimum standards even in the NG. The NCO can set a personal standard for his subordinates and evaluate them in counseling on that standard but he best not give the soldier a negative rating just cause he/she didn’t meet the leader’s standard.

I had a CO that believed all officers should run a 13 min 2-mile or better but he couldn’t hold us to that standard.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 6 at 2018 9:25 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:25:35 -0400

"Telephone game"

It may be that the NCO was attempting to create a sense of urgency in the young trooper. Or that he was setting a goal. Or that troop misunderstood the direction. Or what was said was misrelayed.....

That said, the troop needs to be able to pass each event within a APFT. Meeting the minimum score provides "no buffer" therefore everyone strive to exceed that.

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Sep 7 at 2018 7:42 AM

1SG Timothy Trewin — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 07:42:49 -0400

While 70% is a noble and lofty goal for some you can’t be discharged for not achieving that standard. The Army standard is 60% in each event on the APFT and if the Soldier meets that standard then there is nothing his leadership can do in regards to chapter.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 1:44 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 13:44:15 -0400

A lot of Guard units will demand two consecutive diagnostic APFTS with 70 in each event for pt failures before administering a new record apft to avoid a repeat record failure and retain the soldier. However, as others have pointed out here your friend can not be discharged if they meet the army standard of 60 in each event.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 25 at 2021 10:51 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 10:51:18 -0500

He can make you do the test. 70 percent is on you.