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

I was in the National Guard for my entire career and prior to 9-11 many of my commanders and senior NCO’s passed but didn’t excel. After 9-11 most did 280+ and many maxed it some made it to the extended scale Leaders at all levels also became more knowledgeable on common tasks as well as MOS tasks

Never cared
When I took my first pt test after returning from Vietnam. 1972.
It was announced anyone with over twenty years, step out.
Which got the WWII guys oyt.
Than anyone with ten years and over forty out.
They joined the others and got on the truck and left.
The rest of us took the old combat or test Army.
Asked later where the others went and why they didn't test with us. Some were the old career PFC thirty years a private. No up or out then.
Was told no requirement for people over twenty or over forty years of age and ten years service to take the test. Never checked the regulation.
Was that way in Division and overseas every place until the three event test came along.
I did well on the test into I fell off a cliff and broke ribs and messed up my arm.
Got ten days limited duty until my ribs were no longer no physical therapy.
Had problems with pushups after.
Knees went out about fifteen years later back a knees wore our from years of running in boots wearing the ALICE pack.

As long as you could lead and keep me alive I never cared about a or score

I knew officers who were gun eats who got maximum scores on the test who should never have been commissioned. No feelings for troops.
Others who looked round but could lead and had studied military science I would have followed into hell.

The man who built the Pentagon and led the Manhattan project would have been separated as not looking for or military in today's military.
Just saying or is important but not everything

I couldn't have cared less. Their PT didn't happen to matter to me.

The only time it matters is if they fail. Or if it is pencil whipped.

Passing is good enough, not testing gives a bad example. The idea officers should train to a higher standard is just nomsense. Failing academy students for not meeting higher than general standards (as they used to do) is a waste of talent

The pt test is a load of bull
The caricature of a commander is in how they command
In the twenty years I was in I had commanders that were pt studs who could not command a bowl of noodles

I respect the commander that leads from the front
If they can do the job than that is all athat is required. Used to be an army that that ability was respected. Now we are nothing more than “show” army. Take a look at the Israeli defence force. The look kinda of ragged but I would not want go up against them

Hmmm . . . .

On my LAST PFT, I did multiple EXTRA pull-ups (dead arm hangs, no kip), 80 sit ups, and an 18:20 3-mile run, which put me only behind the young studs doing a perfect PFT. Yet I was called out by the Bn CO for being . . . A POUND . . . over weight.

Oh, he said, I LOOKED FIT, but I should come by before lunch to get on HIS scales.

Yeah, it took nearly 20 years for my waist to grow from 32 to 34, and my blouse to go from 38 to 42. It took six more miles of running and spitting before I was ready to report to the CO for an official weigh-in. There, he determined I was now . . . two pounds . . . BELOW the limit.

It took him another half hour to explain to me the importance of THAT, the weight, standard.

It only took me a moment to know there are no standards for common sense.

Yes sir, they should set an example, and that is part of leadership. But I want a commander that has an overall leadership strategy to bring their unit to it’s best. There are some that struggle to qualify and others it comes easier.

I don't put a lot of stock into the PT test so I don't think anyone who makes a 300 on the test is a better Soldier than one who passes with the minimum! I would prefer for my CDR to have brains instead of brawn! And don't get me started on this new PT Test, to me it is the dumbest idea I have ever heard of. I have 36 years in uniform on my way to 40 and I have had CDRs who had a physical profile, so what? I have been in Aviation for the last 18 yrs and I have seen both kinds of CDRs and what I respect the most is their leadership qualities.

Receiving the maximum score on the APFT for anyone, officer or enlisted - commander or troop, should not be an evaluation point for a leader or a commander. Education, experience and to put it simply intestinal fortitude.