Honorable discharges for PT failures?

I am torn between a Yes, and a No regarding PT failures...

Unfortunately, there are those in the forces who HAVE legitimate excuses for failing a PT test... and repeatedly.... I actually failed PT tests for 2 of the 4 years I was in the Marine Corps, and not because of obesity, every time they did a PFT, I was either injured with a bad knee, or recovering from pneumonia, or some other ordeal that about killed me... and absolutely could not run to save my life...

This resulted in immediate failure of the PFT, because a partial PFT is NOT a PFT..., and non-rec for promotion... never once was I offered a discharge for not being able to complete a PFT... it took breaking my back severely to be offered a discharge...

The military isn't for everyone. As an educator in high school and a Veteran, I agree with the recruiters (that stop by our campus), that the current generation is terribly not in shape or ready for basic. However, they signed on the dotted line like we did once. They may not make it but we still should give them the discharge they deserve. If they're using the system...bust them...hang em high. But we need to remember that the ones who try but can't make it still have offered up their lives for a greater cause. The real issue is schools not forcing PT standards that were once higher. My daughter has chosen to serve. She's waiting for her contract now. In the meantime she's asked me to help her get in better shape. She asked because I know what's going to happen once she is there. However, for those kids who don't come from families of athletes, military families or just physically active families, those kids still deserve the respect for trying. Are they a full fledged vet when they can't make basic training pt? HELL NO! But giving them a less than honorable discharge is BS.

First I did not know that you could get discharged for failing a PT test. If the soldier looks physically fit but failed the test they should be examined by a doctor after the exam if it's proven that nothing is wrong with them they should be put on a fitness program not discharged. The next thing you know we will be wiping their nose when they're crying in boot camp. Man up already

Way I see it, as a leader, if I had someone who was a hard worker, did the right thing all the time and just wasn't good at PT and had to be discharged I would give them honorable. I have seen some soldiers use it as a scapegoat to get out, but I have also seen ones who were really trying to get better at PT.

I a general discharge with no Benicia unless there is a injury. During my out processing I was disgusted that two members were being honorably discharged for failing physical standards. And giving separation pay because the military felt it was their fault , that these fat bodies couldn't perform.

I think there are a lot of different factors that must be weighed when determining what type of discharge to give someone, or whether to discharge someone at all. If someone has clearly stopped trying to improve themselves and is failing in order to get out, give them a general discharge. Maybe send them to gate guard for 6-12 months first. However, at the same time, leadership must also recognize that there are people who just can't do it. For whatever reason, be it injury, not having a chance to PT for months prior to a test, a genetic predisposition for a weak upper body (this is a real problem some soldiers have), or a body that refuses to shed weight; these people deserve a discharge that shows that they tried. To me that means Honorable.

Honorable discharge for PT failures is 100% acceptable even if they fail on purpose. If they did it on purpose like everyone said then that soldier wants out. When I was in as far as I could tell that was the quickest way out without screwing your entire life over. However I did remember a sign at transition that had a priority level for "Voluntary Discharges" so I guess you can find other ways.

If someone does not want to be in the military, I would not want them in my unit, and think they should be discharged. I have no problem with an honorable discharge for failing at PT.

im trying to stay in i have always been an 80%er on my pt for over 10 years, deployed and stuggled with a back injury, but im still trying often i just make min standards and sometimes i just fall short, but i will not give up and im fighting them every way i can on the medical discharge side. But it is Hurting me on the Cariere side of things.

I always thought that PT failures were a General Discharge/Chapter. I never heard of one getting an Honorable Discharge.