How does your Commander's performance on their PT test influence your opinion of them?

I had one commander who was visibly out of Army height-weight standards. His PT card was reported to have had a score of 300 on it. The unit in which this occurred had issues in it that cause me to believe that the rumor mill as correct on that, and again, there is NO WAY he was passing his weigh-in/tape test. Nobody had any respect for him - but that PT issue was only part of the reason. Still, I guess this was more a lack of integrity thing that offended us. All the other officers I encountered in the Army were very high-performing on the APFT. Furthermore, most of the officers I encountered would go out of their way to participate in training with us that was unpleasant and that they really didn't need to do and we took notice of that and it made a good impression on us.

I don’t know, or have I ever known, my Commanders PT score. This might be shocking to some but a PT score has almost nothing to do with one’s leadership abilities. So long as my leaders, at all levels, take them and pass is all that matters.

The CO should lead by example, that is passing his APFT and height and weight since he will enforce those standards on the unit but like it was said before Id rather have a good leader than a PT stud.

As a medic ( I know there are going to be people who disagree) I saw 2 different PT realities. The ones when I was in the Infantry and the one when I was assigned to a hospital. The infantry C.O.'s were fit and more so than I. Not so much at the hospitals. But if your Colonel who runs the hospital is also a good surgeon and knows how to run a hospital, who cares if he can run 2 miles in 14 minutes. I want him to be able to see up an artery in under 2 min.

Personally I never really cared. As a SGT I worked hard for my PT. I was never the PT “stud”. SU’s were not much of a problem and PU’s gave me some difficulty but I have always hated running and had to work hard just to get past the minimum.
I have had Supervisors as well as Commanders who were PT studs and some who weren’t for a variety of reasons. How well they did on the APFT wasn’t a factor in how I respected them or what I thought of them.
Now there were some exceptions.
I did have one Commander who because of an injury had got the walk thru APFT. He was a good CO and he did work hard to get back to standards; but on the opposite side of the coin he reacted as if Soldiers who struggled were just not trying.
Also with a different CO; I had injured my lower back and because of it I couldn’t participate in PT; so when the APFT came once I was off profile I did my best but still failed the run by a handful of seconds. The company commander automatically wanted a flag put on me. That lessened my opinion of that CPT, especially when I noted that the CO had “fell” out of the company run that was led by her, and was at a pace that she designated.

On the first day that one of my former COs took over, he stated that he hated to run. He also stated that he would buy supper for anyone that beat him in the run portion of the prt during the time he was our CO. He looked a little pudgy, and definitely did not look like a runner. Come time for the prt, he started in the rear. He ended up passing everyone but 5 people in our battalion. He did this every prt, and he always gave anyone that could beat him a $ 50.00 Gift Card.

I never had a Commander that did bad I had some that were freaks of nature. I had one that would max the PT test and when he finished he would make sure everyone was done then he would go do his daily PT. Freak of nature.

As long as they pass and set a good example. Did not like commanders who did not do PT with the troops.

For anyone to make a snap judgement on their commander on the PT alone doesn’t have the understanding of a long term / career soldier . I was over 24
Years and the majority of my career was above the standard on everything but the run but always did in the 290s level . One month prior to 20 years I blew my knee out during Organized sports and was never the same . I made sure to maximize my efforts of taking care of my Troops . If a soldier is one dimensional PT may be all they
Look at but those troops that are bigger picture or possibly Career know the military takes a tole on the body .

I'm a veteran now and have osteoarthritis in both knees and both hips. I gave all that I could give on PT. And I sucked at it. I mean my scores were mostly barely passing.

I did better when I first entered the Navy but as I aged I struggled even more. I did the mando thing as well. I would run with my unit/department/division then run again with the remedial group.

When I got in my late 30's it got harder. I failed one run by 15 seconds. It was heart breaking. I was 38 and a PO1 (equal to SSG). But I got out there again and again trying. I totally suck at running. I injured my foot by tearing a tendon and kept trying. I took a lot of heat about it too.

In the end of my career I was forced out because I just couldn't keep the pace. I had 15 years active duty and 2 years in the Guard. And had people think I was just trying to get out easy. I stayed until the end of my enlistment and want allowed to reenlist.
Sometimes, somethings are just harder for some people. I injured my self trying to meet the standard. I just sucked at running.

Nowadays nobody cares about that part of my service. I just want other leaders to see that some of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines or Airmen are actually trying harder than you think they are. They may be pushing themselves until it hurts.