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

As long as they meet the standard. I was and remain much more concerned about their performance as a leader, not so much about whether they can max the APFT.

I dont think "Maxing" out the APFT is a true sign of solid leadership, I have had a few commanders who were PT studs and quite a few who were mid road 230 or higher, I woant a commander who is solid, fair and a good planner.

When i was in, i judged my superiors by the standards they keep. If a commander demanded that everyone go beyond the standard and they only met the standard then they lost my respect. My big thing is lead by example. If a commander only does the minimum then he/ she had no business demanding more than that of their troops. Also, if a commander can not even perform to standard, they have no business being in the military.

I came from a combat arms mos and we do care about a commander who is not physically capable to perform well on his APFT. You dont have to max it, but you better be above average. They are not participating trophies in the military, the more you sweat in peace, the less you bled in combat.

No one wears a fed cape in the Army. It is just possible that your commander is twice your age. My CO failed a PT test once cause he had the flu. It actually made him seem more human. His job is to run his outfit, our job was to move the mountain.
John Suttles
SSG, Inf, USAR, (Ret)

And that question is coming from a medical officer. What the hell do you care? You’ll never lead troops!

Passing is passing, on a side note, I had to leave the military cause I couldn't do the required amount of situps, the back surgery was to risky that I needed to accomplish this part of my PT, so after 28 years of faithful service, it was suggested that I retire

In the Marine Corps it was unthinkable. Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 1400 we had company PT, the skipper ALWAYS led. Cpt Marriott was fanatical. If we didn't have the highest average score in the battalion, he was pissed. Jeez, even Col Harms, the battalion commander, would come out and PT with us!

I'm much more interested in a commander's ability to run the show. Specifically related to making sure I have everything I need to focus on my job. The more the front line has to look at the admin side, is his stuff taken care of, am I getting screwed, etc; the less he's focusing on the mission. Ultimately that's the end all, support is there for that specific reason, to support. If Joe is distracted, he's not as effective. I want to see command very little, I want to know they're in the toc insuring I have what I need to get shit done. My mission effectiveness has never been adversely affected because the commander didn't max a pt test.

BS you set the standard u just pass and pass with a good score that’s how you prove to your dungeon troops u are the commander