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

As long as they passed, I never cared about their score. On top of the idea that junior Soldiers don't really need to know the Commanders score.

If you wear a blue rope you better beat Joe. Every grunt wants a leader who is a stud.
I made sure my soldiers knew I could outperform them in everything.
I also knew who my best shot was, who my fastest runner was, who my best fighter was.
But we all wanted a commander who could outperform us. Generally, we got that. We always got that from a Sergeant Major though.

I guess it depends on which commander you speak. If I am looking at my platoon leader (got it, not a "commander"), I would have a high expectation of physical excellence and keeping up or surpassing the troops he leads. As you move up the command chain, the company commander, yes, but not so much. He should be able to shoot, move and communicate without being out of breath. BC ... BDE Commanders? Well, if they guy is a marathon runner (like a few I've known) or even a bi-athlete (that's shooting and cross country skiing for the uninformed), I'd say more power to them and feel free to do a 5-mile warm up before the test (true statement). I could care less if my Commander can do 300pts but can't fight his way out of a paper bag (or ambush site). My standard - Do they look like a Solider? (not fat). Can they pass the APFT (hopefully to their level of failure - don't stop)? Can they carry all their required gear without heaving, falling over, asking for a cigarette or telling their driver to put it the back of the truck? You think I jest young one? You'd be surprised what I've seen in my career. Don't get me started about the Co Cdr who was too lazy to go to the port-o-potty at night (in the field) and instead peed in a water bottle and had his driver take it to the trash (back in 1991). Ewww. Don't be so critical about peoples physical fitness. Worry about yours, your battle buddy's and your troops. Let the 1SGs and CSMs worry about the Commanders.

Maximum scores are not that important but they need to take and pass the test with their troops. They need to be seen participating and encouraging physical fitness. They need to look as good as the men and women they lead. Lead from the front and lead by example or let someone else take charge.

As an infantry MOS I liked to think my officers and NCO's could pass the basic PT test necessary to lead us. What I always found to be more important was were they good leaders or not. I can honestly say that most of my officers and NCO's were very capable leaders although I did run into a couple of West Point Lieutenants' that thought there poop did not stink and I were not good leaders in the least. One told me how much better he was than me and how much he gave up to serve. First day on post drove up in a Porsche. I will say it was only a couple out of many but some people are born leaders and others are not. Fortunately, this one lieutenant came just before I was discharged as I could not have followed him as a infantry leader.

Commanders performance does affect how the troops look at their commander. Too many times I have the Commander had help with the clock, profile, or even failed a PT and nothing happened to the Commander. Whereas the Troops would feel the rage of the Commander if they failed. Yes the AF does have different standards for PT then the Army but it does have an effect on
all. I remember two very well rounded commanders. One was a great leader and mentor who could not pass or barely passed the PT test. The troops loved the Commander but knew this about the PT Test. He was looked at differently because of the failures or barely passing not because of his leadership. The other would pass the PT with flying colors to include 90% and above testing, but this Commander could not find or lead anyone out of a paper bag with the open end in plain sight. The Commander would burn those who couldn't pass the test and ridicule the ones who passed with 75%. I was pulled into his office many times with troops and myself because of the "poor" PT score. I never failed and would pass with a 75-80% every time.

One of my tours at HHC VII Corps the Corps commander LTG F. Frank's lost a leg in Vietnam with his prosthetic leg he could our run a whole bunch of us.

When I was in I Did not really care that much about a PT score for me it was more about doing your job

My opinion of my command was solely based on there ability to lead the troops, if they trashed on a soldier for not passing when they couldn't pass themselves that's not leading your soldiers correctly. However I have had officers that have gone to spec. pops pt to better themselves and to show the soldiers that they are willing to better themselves and their soldiers.

I have never cared what my comander's pt score was. I was impressed once though when a MG took a test alongside me. There is a BC in my brigade that has the fastest run time in his battalion. What he does with it is he does a run clinic a few times a year and teaches his soldiers how to improve their run time. That kind of leadership is what matters.