Honorable discharges for PT failures?

The problem I see here is that there are many different measures for physical fitness, and the One that the Air Force chose never made sense to me. Their system seems to favor small, reedy people who move quickly; just the opposite of me. I am big and slow, but I'm also strong and I'll keep going forever. But they don't test that.
Now, I'm not fat, and I looked better in uniform than a lot of the smaller guys who had no trouble, but I don't know how many times I failed because of that damn abdominal measurement (only to work my ass off to pass 6 weeks later.) But the AF doesn't care how tall you are or what your build is. I consider myself lucky to have made it to retirement, but anything less that honorable for that discrepancy would be a travesty.

Why should they get an honorable discharge and a drug test failure not I really don't see any difference both test are in you control to pass and are really just tests of your self discipline

I do not agree that an honorable discharge should be given for multiple or continual PT failures. PT is part of military bearing. If a Soldier, Sailor or Marine wants out of the military, let them. Give them the option of finishing their obligation or let them receive an OTH. Nobody has ever forced someone to join. It's sad because they hold billets that prohibit others that DO want to be in a promotion. Get them out.

It should be a general discharge and not become honorable. I experienced this myself when I failed my PT test during PLDC. Though I'm retired after my 20yrs, and passed my PT test after that every year, I'll still recall that it's the Soldier's personal responsibility to maintain pysical readiness at all times. A dishonorable discharge would seriously impact a soldier after they get out. A general discharge would be sufficient and the reasons noted

It is quite sad and unfortunate to hear about airmen and soldiers whining because PT is hard or that they have over eaten and put on too much weight. It is a sad fact that these things do occur, much like getting surgery done to get out of TDY assignments. If I could, I would be back in now pushups, pullups and the like. My specialty was the two mile pt run. Back in my day in the service we reached out to the local community and took part in city wide marathons such as the Berlin Marathon I did in 1987. But to purposely fail a PT Test is just inexcusable. And by the way I have seen troops get general discharges because of PT Failure or a piss poor attitude towards keeping fit and doing what's right to keep the unit cohesive and combat ready....

I think it depends on the circumstances.

I don' t see a problem with it. If they don't want to be in and this is the fastest way, then so be it. Better then them bugging the doc and medics until theu get useless surgeries and a stacked fake med record and now they are on disability getting paid for being fat and the army not working out for them.

This is a great discussion, it is one for not only the leaders but every to help understand. I agree if a soldier can not maintain the Army standards and is chapter because they can't why should they receive an honorable discharge. But on the other side of the discussion is was the reason the failed because of a medical reason that they refused to get seen by... So this opens another discussion cause I have seen this in my unit now, if a soldier brand new to the army who fails these standards recieve an honorable discharge? And should the army raise the standard to pass basic training?

PT and Soldering skills are mentored by LEADERSHIP. And leadership can and sometimes DO set up SM's for failure. I saw it happen on MORE than 1 occassion to excellent soldiers and shitbags alike. I failed 1 PT test cause I took it with a busted back, but CSM didn't count it-HE KNEW what happened cause my Platoon SGT told him what happened and they saw i was trying. PT tests are a part of it, but conduct, skills and PT make up the picture-so everyone has a job and if a SM can no longer do thier tasks, maybe reclass is needed, AND mentor that SM before tossing them out. A good commander/NCO aids their SM's NOT tear them down and destroy them.

Failure of a PT is an honorable discharge. Failing a PT is nothing dishonorable. What happens when you have someone who just can’t pass? You can’t punish for not having physical abilities. Dishonored discharges imply that you did something unbecoming. Failing a pt test is not an unbecoming act; it’s a lack of ability. You might be good at pt, but I’m sure there are things that you might do that others might call unbecoming. Also if an individual wants to fail to get out, let them. Do you really want someone having your back who doesn’t want to be there?