Posted on Jun 27, 2019
SSG Operating Room Specialist
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I got a PFC that came off AIT. Due to injuries he has never taken a record APFT and has gone from profile to profile because of the surgeries that came up. So at no fault of his own (injury) he has never taken a record APFT. The unit flagged him for not having a record APFT so when the automatic promotion to SPC came up he was passed. Months later the unit decides that because he's been on profile and never taken an APFT at no fault of his own that they'll lift the flag. Flag lifted, he gets promoted to SPC. A month later due to a pay inquiry on the Soldier the unit finds that they should've never lifted the flag and is now demoting him back to PFC and imposing a flag.

I already looked at AR 600-8-19, Par 7-4, Soldier is in non-promotable status when: "Lack of a qualifying APFT - not within 14 months".

So the question is, is the unit correct in demoting him to PFC?

Thank you. Any insight is appreciated.

Edit: Just to clarify, he's never taken a record APFT. Not even in AIT because of the injury.
Posted in these groups: P542 APFTStar Promotions
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 8
MAJ Javier Rivera
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Yes, the commander made the hard and right decision to correct the error.

Now the real problem is the Soldier’s health. Why is the unit doing to get him in the right treatment path? Based on the provided information he’s on a separation path due to no fault of his own. So, I ask again: what is his leadership doing to take care of this Soldier?

HINT: make sure his medical records properly reflect his conditions and all medical visits/treatments.

If MEPS cleared him for service then the Army broke him!!!!!
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
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Yes it is legal and correct. I was had to initiate the same for an E6 to E7, imagine that! Bottom line is that the unit made a mistake, while sad and wrong on their part, there is actually no foul here as the Soldier should not have been promoted in the first place. The Soldier is also at risk of separation, there is a limit as to the type of profile and how long it exists. Thank you for your service.
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SSG Operating Room Specialist
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Yes, it was wrong to promote him in the first place. I guess I was trying to find consensus here in case I overlooked something. And maybe I was trying to find that sliver of hope for him to keep his rank, but it is what it is at this point. It was just really hard to break it to him as he's a good Soldier. Thank you for the info and service!
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SFC Casey O'Mally
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Did this Soldier not have a record APFT in AIT either? Where is that record?

If it has legitimately been over a year of non-stop profile, this Soldier should either be in WTU or going through Med Board. Why did AIT pass along a severely broken Soldier?

I think there is more here....

But based on what you have provided, if he has NEVER taken a record APFT, he should be flagged, and demotion is proper. There is no regulation requiring that a record APFT be conducted by the current unit, however. Record APFT from AIT, or even basic, is STILL a record APFT. Most units want to fo an APFT as part of gaining a new Soldier, but this is not required. That old APFT is still valid (this goea for ALL Soldiers getting to a new unit). One of my pet peeves is taking a record APFT right before leaving a unit, then again at reception, because "inprocessing," then again at new unit, because "we don't trust reception." I go it, should always be able to pass. Yada yada. But it boils down to Commanders having a default position of either not trusting other Commanders or not trusting me. Either one is bad for the Army.
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SSG Operating Room Specialist
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No, the Soldier never had a record APFT ever so there's no record from AIT. Yes, it has been over a year of non-stop profile; which is another story unto itself. Why did AIT pass along a broken Solder? Your guess is as good as mine, unfortunately. There is more here, but the main question was about the current situation. Thank you so much for the feedback!
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SGT Team Chief
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Odd, unless it is a new concept, I never took a apft at reception
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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35 years and I've never heard of a soldier making it out of both basic and AIT without passing an APFT.
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