Posted on Jan 8, 2015
Does every MOS/Rate need the same level of fitness? What about an MOS/Rate specific PT test or events?
83.5K
659
567
23
20
3
I really hope this happens. Not all MOS require the same level of Fitness. I wouldn't use it for an promotion packet against all MOSs as it wouldn't be the same for everyone but I would like to see additional events that address some of the specific tasks that are measures of fitness for some MOSs. For infantry I would add pull ups or even a ruck. If you were a mechanics you might have to be able to hand carry a certain weight over a short distance. I would let senior NCOs in that MOS decide what they would require. The Army should not make every MOS have a different tst. This would impossible. But an example of how this would look is that any one in combat arms or in a combat arms unit would be required to perform pulls and a ruck. If you were in a field medical or medical support unit you may have to do a body drag.
*****************************EDITED*************************************
Be advised. The standard should not be LOWERED. The base APFT with 180 should not be lowered. I think it should be higher. I think it should be especially higher for some areas, such as the combat arms. What this would look like is using the standard test for everyone but adding an additional event. So if you are a soldier that doesn't much physical labor you wouldn't be effected by this. If you were a combat engineer in the 82ND you would be required to a bit more.
*****************************EDITED*************************************
Be advised. The standard should not be LOWERED. The base APFT with 180 should not be lowered. I think it should be higher. I think it should be especially higher for some areas, such as the combat arms. What this would look like is using the standard test for everyone but adding an additional event. So if you are a soldier that doesn't much physical labor you wouldn't be effected by this. If you were a combat engineer in the 82ND you would be required to a bit more.
MOS
APFT
Fitness
Edited 9 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 198
2
2
0
I think that the Army has to adopt the same attitude as the Marines and every soldier has to be prepared to be an infantryman. Thus, all should qualify at the same level of physical standards.
Once upon a time, those in the rear with the gear might never even hear a shot fired in anger. They performed vital and useful services that helped the infantryman at the front defeat the enemy. Of course, in those bygone days, the front was often very distant.
However, with the advent of modern warfare, including insurgencies and terrorism, every base camp perimeter is a front line and conflict may erupt in the most distant rear areas. Indeed, many of today's enemies avoid the grunts and canon cockers to attack the rear almost exclusively.
No, everyone in uniform had better keep a helmet and gun handy and be prepared to use it. And, they better be physically fit to serve as an infantryman on a moments notice.
Once upon a time, those in the rear with the gear might never even hear a shot fired in anger. They performed vital and useful services that helped the infantryman at the front defeat the enemy. Of course, in those bygone days, the front was often very distant.
However, with the advent of modern warfare, including insurgencies and terrorism, every base camp perimeter is a front line and conflict may erupt in the most distant rear areas. Indeed, many of today's enemies avoid the grunts and canon cockers to attack the rear almost exclusively.
No, everyone in uniform had better keep a helmet and gun handy and be prepared to use it. And, they better be physically fit to serve as an infantryman on a moments notice.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I don't know about this LT. As every member in the Army is a soldier there are some basic skills that one learns and needs to know. Also I think this could cause some dissension within the troops. If sh!t gets behind the wire the element of being fit and able to engage the enemy is still there. I think this is the wrong direction in IMHO. Certainly in my MOS of 19D I wanted to be a fit as possibly as it made my job easier. Reshaping the Army to the "lazy" generation is not a fix it is a hack to the much greater problem in society.
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I think it would only be appicable to certain MOSs. Like combat arms. I think it wouldn't be too unreasable to expect them to perform a few more tasks.
(1)
(0)
SGT Terry Whittington
I feel that we are army strong. one army, one pt test. same standards no matter what the mos. I was in the band, was expected to pass same pt standards as if I were in the infantry. no change for mos. It would only cause problems with different mos.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Let's be honest here, there already is a division in the ranks. Combat arms, especially Infantry already look down on non combat MOS'. This would just make it worse.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I think the old Army adage "You can add to but you can't take away" applies here. I think there still needs to be a service wide PT test that everyone has to take but if the service deems it necessary (as Lt. Rosa pointed out for AFSOC) then the option to ADD additional requirements for an MOS could be a good thing. I know in the infantry a score of 60 in any event on the PT is considered failing though in most of the Army that is enough to pass. So there is some measure of it already in place.
While we are on the discussion though we should probably look at updating the PT test to better reflect the actual strengths and stamina needed in combat. I'm not convinced that push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2 mile run accurately reflect combat ready fitness standards.
I also think though that to be assigned to a BCT in this day and age there should not only be additional, more rigorous PT standards but also increased training to ensure that all soldiers in the Brigade are proficient in handling the threats encountered down-range. But this is a different discussion.
While we are on the discussion though we should probably look at updating the PT test to better reflect the actual strengths and stamina needed in combat. I'm not convinced that push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2 mile run accurately reflect combat ready fitness standards.
I also think though that to be assigned to a BCT in this day and age there should not only be additional, more rigorous PT standards but also increased training to ensure that all soldiers in the Brigade are proficient in handling the threats encountered down-range. But this is a different discussion.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Everyone should be able to pass the basic test(s). I believe in the Corps now they have the Combat Fitness Test (CFT) along with the Physical Fitness Test (PFT).
Now on top of those I can see specific tests for specific MOSs that may require it, but no standards should be below the standard tests.
Now on top of those I can see specific tests for specific MOSs that may require it, but no standards should be below the standard tests.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
It sounds like another way to waste money.
How would they figure out the requirements for support MOSs like 88(K-L-M-N), 25U, 74D?
How would they figure out the requirements for support MOSs like 88(K-L-M-N), 25U, 74D?
(2)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) I think what you're identifying is that the current APFT is too easy, and that by increasing current APFT standards we could both meet the intent behind all this MOS-based fitness talk and save ourselves a great deal of money.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) I don't think they are too easy in general but they don't address some challenges that would prevent soldiers from serving in their MOS. I would require infantry soldiers to perform a ruck and pull ups.
(1)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) Note that I think pullups should be added to the APFT for everyone.
(1)
(0)
SPC Charles Griffith
1LT Rosa you do realize there are some wheeltire combos in the army that about 99% of the people in the Army just couldn't flip right??? thats why there is a crane on the hemmit right next to the spare.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
The headline made me think the APFT standards might be lowered for some specialties, but after reading the article, I'm thinking some jobs will have to do extra stuff.
I have long thought that the company clerk, for example, does not need to have the same level of fitness as an infantryman, a Ranger, a Special Forces Soldier.
It will be interesting to see if this comes to anything.
I have long thought that the company clerk, for example, does not need to have the same level of fitness as an infantryman, a Ranger, a Special Forces Soldier.
It will be interesting to see if this comes to anything.
(2)
(0)
The military still needs to maintain it's minimum set physical requirements. True not all MOS/AFSC/Rate are equal. But if special units or infantry choose to go farther in their standards good for you. But some need to loose the mentality I'm only behind a desk so I can slack. At least show your character and commitment has the will to be successful. And that includes the minimum requirements in all aspects.
(2)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
SSG James Barbee
Being here @ DLI surrounded by linguists and the general attitude is that linguist deserve special attention because we are hurting so bad for their skills and that they need less pt or less military training got me so sick and tired already that I want to puke. Everyone is a Soldier in the Army, do the standard regardless if your MOS is low density or special or whatever, then go the extra mile if you want to go to the high speed units, if you cannot meet the standard get out and go do something else
Being here @ DLI surrounded by linguists and the general attitude is that linguist deserve special attention because we are hurting so bad for their skills and that they need less pt or less military training got me so sick and tired already that I want to puke. Everyone is a Soldier in the Army, do the standard regardless if your MOS is low density or special or whatever, then go the extra mile if you want to go to the high speed units, if you cannot meet the standard get out and go do something else
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I do not believe all MOSs or AFSCs need the same level of fitness. The AF has decided to have a baseline PT that applies to all members. Each AFSC can set their own requirements for their career field to ensure that the member's upon entrance are able to accomplish certain requirements. One example, is a few years ago, the EOD AFSC changed their entry requirements because they were having too many people unable to complete the course (due to the heavy suits/endurance) & if the member's are unable to maintain the qualifications to stay in the career field, then they will be medically boarded and hopefully allowed to cross train to another career field. I've seen this with security forcers members cross training to less physically tasking career fields in the medical field.
I personally do not feel we need different PT for different AFSCs, we can control the needs for different levels of physical requirements by maintaining solid entry/retention requirements.
I personally do not feel we need different PT for different AFSCs, we can control the needs for different levels of physical requirements by maintaining solid entry/retention requirements.
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
The AF does a great job at this. They have the PAST now. I know that PJ have the highest scores then CCTs and then followed by TACPs. They know that some jobs require the needed strength.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
How about grade specific PT?
Seriously, can you imagine being an HHC 1SG with MOS specific tests--you'd have to manage 20, 40, or more, different tests, twice a year.....
Seriously, can you imagine being an HHC 1SG with MOS specific tests--you'd have to manage 20, 40, or more, different tests, twice a year.....
(2)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
"HHC commanders already have to worry about this in Medical units."
Really? In what way?
Really? In what way?
(1)
(0)
SGM Erik Marquez
MAJ (Join to see) "HHC commanders already have to worry about this in Medical units" Sir worry about what? this thread is about the APFT.. how does having a medical unit in a HHC (assume-ably mixed in with other MOS's) impact in any way the APFT in it's current form.. in your words "Already have to worry about it" ??
I have planned and executed a couple of APFT's over the years, cant say I or the commander worried about much of anything, and certainly did not "worry" , change, modify anything because we had Medics (lots of them, and the MEDO, and the BN PA & DIV Surgeon) in the company.
I have planned and executed a couple of APFT's over the years, cant say I or the commander worried about much of anything, and certainly did not "worry" , change, modify anything because we had Medics (lots of them, and the MEDO, and the BN PA & DIV Surgeon) in the company.
(0)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
My apologies for the vague verbiage. HHC commanders within Medical units have to work through a variety of idiosyncracies due to the varied nature of their Soldiers. Many of the requirements that most HHC commanders must deal with are brushed away, changed, or mitigated for HHC commanders within medical units.
This ties into the conversation at hand because there are numerous standards within the special branches that line officers i.e. HHC commanders must already navigate through. It can be done with regard to some administrivia. It could be done with regard to the APFT.
This ties into the conversation at hand because there are numerous standards within the special branches that line officers i.e. HHC commanders must already navigate through. It can be done with regard to some administrivia. It could be done with regard to the APFT.
(0)
(0)
John Russell
In a worst case scenario..you never know if a base gets attacked. The Cyber Defender dudes going to need enough stamina to run,shoot, and/or communicate. He will be out of breath trying trying to make a last stand. I would think that in the real world these things could happen? I dont have to remind you all of the shootings that have been happening. Let them have their pt test too.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Combat Camera soldier ruck 12 miles with full combat load and documentation gear. Wait, COMCAM does this already.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google