Could my state send me to BLC still if I have a 70 for each APFT event in the age group i will be when I go?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 18:04:39 -0400

I am registered in a BLC course coming up in the next 4 months and am told I need a 70 in each event to be allowed to go. Now since this is still quite a ways away I'm hoping this question becomes irrelevant and I can get under a 15 min 2 mile, but just in case... In the upcoming two months before BLC if cant get a 15:10 or lower on my 2 mile and am stuck at my 15:30 time, could my state send me since I'll be in a different age bracket starting the week before BLC and will then be well ahead of 70 for each event by the schools start date? Apologies for the long explanation and somewhat annoying question.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 6:27 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 18:27:44 -0400

That's really all up to your unit/leadership. The reason for mandating the minimum PT score is so that you don't show up and fail your PT tests there. Generally speaking, Graders at NCOPD schools grade more strict, so scoring 70 with your unit gives you some wiggle room with reps not counting and a change in weather for your run.

A good way to lower your run time is interval training.

Good luck at BLC.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 6:34 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 18:34:23 -0400

Classic Army crap and inventing prerequisites. Is it a good idea to want people to be above the minimum? Like SGT Papi said yes it allows for differences in grading and some wiggle room. However, the standard is 60-60-60.
You may NOT add to or take away - ever. Open the first page of any FM (the one with the signature. There's a paragraph that states "any variance from this publication requires written approval from HQDA G1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9" (or something similar to that) If they don't have a written exception to policy, then the standard is the standard.
My recommendation is to conduct more PT, you want to be in good shape and not worry about the test at all. But if they are saying you can't go because you don't reach some made up standard, I'd go to IG.
There is not this standard or that standard, just the standard. If 70% was the standard, we'd all need to get 70s to just pass the test.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 6:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 18:52:51 -0400

Technically speaking the standard is the standard (60 in each event). I would make an IG complaint if that is their only basis on not sending you.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 11 at 2020 7:37 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:37:27 -0400

It's up to your unit. Technically, a passing is good enough, but do you want to be a leader who is ok with good enough?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 7:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:44:06 -0400

The APFT won’t matter if your school date is after 01OCT2020

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 8:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:29:12 -0400

Sounds like the whole question is irrelevant. The standard is 60 in each event, period.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 9:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 21:26:41 -0400

As others have stated, a passing score of 60 for each event is the standard.
Yes, you can go to the IG, and the IG may recommend the CoC permit you to go.
There is one question you failed to ask: is it worth the fight to insist 70 is good enough? I suggest you'd be better off making the extra effort to improve your score.
For the record, yes, you should be permitted to go with a passing score of 60 in each event.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Mar 11 at 2020 9:40 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 21:40:07 -0400

Ok, not to be mean or anything. But whoever told you that you HAD to have 70 in each event is lying and an idiot. The standard for anything other than specialty schools is and always HAS been when the current Army standard is and that is 60%. Period. You always want to do better, your best but to qualify and go you ONLY need to do 60% in all events. Period. Anyone and I mean anyone that says otherwise, you make them show you a regulation that states that. Further? Nothing saying that YOU cannot on your own contact the school house and ask for current requirements, all requirements for graduation etc. That way if your CoC attempts to feed you a line of BS, you know better.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 10:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:11:13 -0400

Your APFT before you get there is for your unit, when you get there you will take another one. What ever your age is at the time of the APFT is the bracket you will be in.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2020 2:09 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 02:09:42 -0400

I am 57 years old and I found out that when you lose 10 pounds, you run faster! Give yourself the PT test every week! That's what I would do wait before going to your basic leadership course. I would shoot for 80 points for each event because when you do the PT test in the morning when you're cold, you may not do as well as one you are practicing at home. Run the 8 laps on a track. You know that the test will probably be given on a track or on a open course and it will probably be easier because you're not running in a circle. Others have said to use interval or fartlek Training and that does work! Run a 3 or 4 miles every other day. You will notice that you will do better every week on your run time. I personally lost weight by drinking Water or gatoraid 2 instead of soda. Eat granola bars instead of having some cookies. Eat breakfast ,lunch and dinner and do not eat dinner just before you go to bed. I was not the sharpest pencil in the bunch but I can say that maintaining a 300 APFT for half of my military career allowed me to get better evaluations than had I not done well. I am planning to do some exercise because I missed getting a 300 on my APFT by 3 seconds on a 2 mile run. Just hang in there and do your best between now and when you go to school!

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Response by 1SG Michael Brooks made Mar 13 at 2020 11:12 AM

1SG Michael Brooks — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:12:57 -0400

In 4 months, you can be at 100 in each area. If you want to be an NCO you thave to set high standards for yourself. Aerobic one day, anaerobic the next. One day rest completely. No excess sugar. no bread for one month.