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

My main concern with a commander was how smoothly the unit operated. I’ve had some COs that had an excellent command style, one I had shouldn’t have commanded a shit burning detail! Seemed like everything he did was to hinder unit efficiency

I was never privy to the comand staff scores, so I never gave it much thought.

Never really cared about how anyone besides myself and my soldiers did on any test weather it be pt range fire or whatever

Well I’m up in the air on this one. Cause I believe that if your a leader you should set the example. I can’t remember having a commander that did not have a 250 or better. It was their personal goal to set that standard for their soilders. Now I always had trouble with sit-ups. I was lucky to get over the minimum on them. I have a funky tail bone issue. But would either max push ups or close to it. And run my 2 mile between 12:45-13:11. Depending on the night before. I’ll never forget my best score 285 it was on 9-11 I maxed everything but sit-ups but did get like 80 sit-ups which I was never able to come close again. But I think if your in leadership your responsible to set a standard . Infantrymen are only as good as their leaders. If you have a commander that struggles with P.F then it’s not a good field to be in. Infantrymen have to be at the top of are game. Or we don’t make it home.

I've never bothered to comment on one of these things but here's my two cents.

In my short 8 year tenure I've had a total of 4 CO's. The best one I had was an individual who could fly with the best and would not hesitate to stand up to anyone and tell them to fuck off when someone tried to make his soldiers do something stupid. He took care of soldiers first, everything else was second. This person couldn't run worth a damn. Did fine on the other events but was a shit runner.

On the other end of the spectrum I had captain America incarnate. A pt stud to put pt studs to shame. Great guy, loved his soldiers easy to talk to. But would not tell battalion no to anything because they knew that was the next stop in their career after. They didn't want to rock the boat.

I say all of that to say this. None of it matters. Whether you score 30 or 300 the only thing that any of us should be thinking about; do we know our soldiers. Are we doing everything humanly or inhumanely possible to take care of those entrusted to us? Do we know what's going on in their lives? Do they know and trust us enough to open up about the things going right and the things going wrong? Ultimately have we made a positive impact in the lives of those around us.

"And that's all I've got to say about the war in Vietnam."

Every officer doesn’t have to beat every enlisted man, that is impossible. But they should score above average.

All millitary personnel should pass there respective fitness tests, and strive to do the best they can. Just pass...that's it.

As a CSM I ensured my CDR and I always took our AFPT with the unit. If a CDR or Senior NCO fails the test they need to be removed. To lead by example you have to set the standard, which isn’t 60%! You need to push yourself to exceed the minimum. Your Soldier’s look to you for leadership, guidance and an example. Meet it or move out of the position!

You can’t lead from the rear especially for Company Grade. They should inspire and be in top notch condition how can you hold others to the standard if you are not their yourself.

My view has always been a pass is a pass. I always encouraged my men to put 100% into everything. The times I had issues were when the CO was failing tests and still had a job yet if one of the men failed they would be demoted and sometimes transferred to a non line unit.