Have we become too blase about APFT and/or H&W failure; or has it always been like this?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:11:21 -0500

I've noticed that a lot of mid-career leaders are open about admitting having previously failed an APFT or having been out of tolerance for AR 600-9. I don't have a personal issue with that, it lets Soldiers know that no one was cast into the mold of a true stud when they raised their right hand the first time.

What I do take issue with is the "no harm, no foul" attitude that some of us have taken toward APFT and/or H&W failure. We brush it off with platitudes and treat it like failing one or more of the basic, universal Army standards is not a moment of utter shame.

When did it become okay to say "Yeah, I have failed the run a few times and I've never been a good runner in the first place." again and again for years without actually working to improve yourself? When did teaching junior Soldiers to focus on neck exercises so you don't have to cut down on belly girth become an acceptable answer?

I have had the displeasure of meeting junior Soldiers who were clearly mentored by their mid-career leaders and who now believe that being at an APFT score below 200 and right-on-the-limit for body fat is acceptable. They don't see exceeding the minimum requirement as being a worthy goal. By extension, they do not commit themselves to excellence and start pulling a 9-to-5 without ever going beyond baseline requirements.

If we wanted that, we'd hire contractors.

Note: I am not referencing APFT failure due to sudden injury or some other disqualification that allowed the Soldier to pass the APFT with ease within a 24 hour period.
I understand that AR 600-9's body fat computation method and limits are a subject of intense debate. Whether there's a better way is not the point. The point is that this is the standard we must meet and we should endeavour to meet the standards that are set for us by law.