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As the PT NCO in my unit I do PRT but there are times I deviate from PRT and do other exercises to break up the monotony and make PT interesting. Does anyone else do this or do you just strictly follow PRT?
Fitness
Leadership
Training
PRT (Army)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
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I believe in having to start off with doctrine so that everyone knows the standard. Once thisnis established, NCOs should be able to build the art of if and make it challenging but fun at the same time. Everyone will complain about a program no matter what it is, but will they complain about the NCO driving it?
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We ensure our soldiers know how to conduct PRT but try to stay away from it as much as possible.
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I'd have to do PRT to deviate, the warm up stuff is the only thing worth anybodies time. The old PT worked just fine, just need people to man up and quot going to sick call for every stupid thing. My plt apft average is 265 before everyone starts telling me I'm all jacked up for not pushing it.
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MSG (Join to see)
While I'm pretty sure I could work out once a month and pass, that mediocrity at its finest. I'd lose my mind in a place like that so good on you SSG. The enemies always training, it comes down to who wants to come home. Keep pushing the laziness out of em.
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SSG (Join to see)
How is the warm-up stuff the only thing worth anyone's time? Have you read FM 7-22? Are you telling me that things like 30-60s or the 300 yard shuttle are worthless?
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MSG (Join to see)
There it is, I knew I'd get one. "PRT is the best thing since sliced bread!" I incorporate all types of sprints and runs, turns out though, 30-60s and shuttle runs were around long before somebody put them in a manual. Just like crossfit was around before they called it crossfit.
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SSG Robert Webster
MSG (Join to see) and SSG (Join to see) - Did either of you read my main comment? How I wish that I had a mid-1970s version of FM 7-22. Shuttle runs were in that manual, and I am pretty sure that Speed Runs (30-60s) were in there also, just under a different name, using a slightly different method based on distance and not time.
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The Navy has different rules but when I laid my sessions I do 45 minutes of aerobic activity and 15 minutes of core. Sometimes we play kickball group runs volleyball something to keep everyone moving then end with the basic sit ups push-ups planks etc.
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Sure. Have to break up the tediousness of it and keep PT fun and interesting.
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We do the warm up and cool down portions of PRT but for pt we create our own routine involving circuit training with weights, body weight exercises, cardio ect. And mandatory gym time after lunch. My squads last PT avg was 289. Never used PRT as the main body. Not saying PRT doesn't work, but what we do works so we use it.
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Prt hurts soldiers to have your neck strained like it is during a lot of these exercises can't be good medically. Also it takes valuable time from actually doing pt rather where you could stretch on your own instead of doing the prep drills and get right into it. Some of the conditioning drills are good though I will admit but some aren't. I do however like the climbing drill although we don't do that much at my unit. I was told when I got to Campbell list of the 101st doesn't really do the prt but unit is pretty strict with atleast doing the prep drills.
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Conducting prt on a regular basis and emphasizing to your soldiers how important it is that they learn the exercises plays an important role in how they perform at NCOES schools. I'm at ALC right now, and you wouldn't believe how many of the guys and girls here don't know the exercises. They need to know proper technique and every drill, to go with alternate exercises. But to your original question, creativity and deviating from prt every now and then never hurt anyone. I do it too, bringing something new to the table keeps it alive.
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What sort of exercises do you add? Is it something from another style (Crossfit, etc.)?
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SSG (Join to see)
I usually add in basic exercises like plank, side plank, and some old school exercises like side starddle hops, etc.
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Unfortunately PT in my current unit never really changes and we stick to PRT almost exclusively. I really miss my old unit where we would do things like crossfit, Pool PT, Squad runs, etc. Also my current unit does Company level PT everyday except for Tuesday's when we do PLT PT. My previous unit only did company PT when we did company runs, everything else was either at the PLT or SQD Level.
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NCOA Camp Buerhing, Kuwait we follow FM 7-22 , no deviations. What does your unit SOP states?
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Something rarely mentioned, it seems: Combatives is a key component of PRT. There is no reason you cannot incorporate it weekly or monthly. You also have obstacle courses and training exercises. PRT is meant to prepare one for the rigors of combat. Why not run combat scenarios?
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No. It's pretty satisfying when done right, and it gives troops the sense they can learn it and eventually get up in front of the formation and lead it themselves. When I have only one Joe, I won't do the formation or call cadence, but I will lead them through the exercises, in order.
I have long felt that PRT was one of the better programs implemented by the Army. When done right, it is a solid workout. To anyone who thinks it isn't, my argument will always be "so why didn't you pass me?"
It's a solid workout that does not leave you sore, but rather it wakes you up. The Army needs more MFTs to explain proper form better. It's all about training body mechanics.
As NCOs, we enforce the standard. Part of leadership means dragging Joe kicking and screaming through this "boring" PT program. It's not even that boring; if you study the manual, you'll find that there is more than enough meat to challenge your Soldiers. This is where leadership comes in.
I have long felt that PRT was one of the better programs implemented by the Army. When done right, it is a solid workout. To anyone who thinks it isn't, my argument will always be "so why didn't you pass me?"
It's a solid workout that does not leave you sore, but rather it wakes you up. The Army needs more MFTs to explain proper form better. It's all about training body mechanics.
As NCOs, we enforce the standard. Part of leadership means dragging Joe kicking and screaming through this "boring" PT program. It's not even that boring; if you study the manual, you'll find that there is more than enough meat to challenge your Soldiers. This is where leadership comes in.
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SSG Robert Webster
SSG (Join to see) - You have definitely drank the Kool-Aid and toe the party line.
One question, since I cannot see your entire profile - Have you earned your EFMB?
If not, I would suggest that you stop making using the "so why didn't you pass me?" line of argument.
What does "pass me" mean? The score on your APFT, on the Land Navigation Course, on a run, on a road march?
Note that to earn the EFMB (according to the 2011 version of the pamphlet) the APFT test scores are 60 for each event for a total of 180.
The question is are you physically fit enough to accomplish your job and mission? I could care less that you could score 150% on each event of the APFT, IF you can not be AT the objective ON TIME, and ABLE to accomplish your mission. I would much rather have a soldier that can pass at the minimum ALL tasks; than a soldier that can pass the APFT at world class athlete levels, and fails a single task outside the APFT realm.
So with all other things being equal, who would you rather have leading you? A soldier with an EFMB (average APFT), or without an EFMB (max APFT score)?
One question, since I cannot see your entire profile - Have you earned your EFMB?
If not, I would suggest that you stop making using the "so why didn't you pass me?" line of argument.
What does "pass me" mean? The score on your APFT, on the Land Navigation Course, on a run, on a road march?
Note that to earn the EFMB (according to the 2011 version of the pamphlet) the APFT test scores are 60 for each event for a total of 180.
The question is are you physically fit enough to accomplish your job and mission? I could care less that you could score 150% on each event of the APFT, IF you can not be AT the objective ON TIME, and ABLE to accomplish your mission. I would much rather have a soldier that can pass at the minimum ALL tasks; than a soldier that can pass the APFT at world class athlete levels, and fails a single task outside the APFT realm.
So with all other things being equal, who would you rather have leading you? A soldier with an EFMB (average APFT), or without an EFMB (max APFT score)?
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Yes, absolutely. It gets boring after a while. You definitely have to switch it up and get creative when it comes to PT. It keeps the morale high and the Soldiers motivated when you can actually have a fun and productive PT session.
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my unit's 1SG took us through a really tough yoga (yes, yoga) workout one time, spur of the moment. i thought i was going to die. my whole body was at muscle failure.
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I used to add lunges, jumping lunges, squats, and all types of ab exercises. I was also known for PT in kit (at least vest and bucket).
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I use to do that when I was the NCO in charge of PT. You have to do different thing during PT to make it fun and get 100% corporation from everyone. The basic push-ups, sit-ups, running and the other exercises like the hello dolly, wind mills, small circles to the front, and others like that get really boring. Your doing the right thing by changing it up once in awhile.
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Not the we do much PRT in the Reserves, but when we do, I rarely lead it. That said, next time I do, I plan on using the time NOT to do PRT or PT (because that's out these days); instead I plan on using that time to conduct a class on Army history, specifically how physical training was done prior to the adoption of PRT...it's not PT, it's history!
;-)
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SGT Dave Tracy
See the blue cord on my shoulder in my picture...yeah, I have familiarity with that humor. I also have familiarity with Infantry's distain for PRT (my last Active unit refused to do PRT) so I'm somewhat surprised you would make a snarky comment to my tongue-in-cheek answer to the question of if people deviate from PRT (and based on the responses, many do).
If you want a more serious idea of this NCO's point of view about knowing and doing PRT, you can see my response in this other thread: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-prt-worth-doing-at-a-monthly-drill-for-national-guard-and-reserves
If you want a more serious idea of this NCO's point of view about knowing and doing PRT, you can see my response in this other thread: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-prt-worth-doing-at-a-monthly-drill-for-national-guard-and-reserves
Is PRT worth doing at a monthly drill for National Guard and Reserves? | RallyPoint
Can we change the habits of soldiers who don't train on their own? Is it worth the risk of injury with soldiers who only worry about physical fitness once a month? On the other side, is this a good display of leadership by example? The soldiers who want to improve will know people who can help. Morale can be boosted by effective PT as well. What are your thoughts?
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