How long before I can expect active duty performance levels from Reserve soldiers?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 19:33:39 -0500

Which regulation addresses how long Army Reserve soldiers have to meet active duty physical standards, e.g., a 15-minute per mile ruck march pace? Many of my soldiers are in less than ideal shape and I need to know how long I need to give them before I can realistically expect them to meet active standards.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2019 11:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 23:23:31 -0500

Reservists and National Guardsmen should already be required to meet APFT common standards. If you are attempting to institute standards not specifically covered by Army regulations (70% per category on APFT, 6mi ruck in 1.5 hrs), then I would suggest speaking with the commander to put out a policy letter and counseling your soldiers on your expectations. Be realistic with the outcome if they don't meet the standard, say additional PT or a ruck march each drill until they are performing to the higher standard. I would say 3 months is enough time to give even the most out of shape soldier a fair shot at passing the 6mi ruck in 1.5 hr standard.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 8:40 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 08:40:21 -0500

Train them and they will get there.
Truly, it shouldn't take too long to shake the cobwebs off and get them into a program of training that will meet the goals you lay out. Six - eight weeks is realistic, less if they are motivated by an awesome NCO who leads from the front.
Out of curiousity, where are you at that has a group of Reserve Soldiers assigned to you?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 9:14 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 09:14:23 -0500

There is only one Army standard for a given event or requirement,
And there is only one Army standard for time allowed, when applicable, for example when a Soldier returns from deployment, they have 90 days before they have to pass an APFT (Active, Reserve or Guard, AR 350-1).
Other than the above example or temp profiles, there is no reg about giving any Soldier time to meet a PT standard, but there are plenty that detail our responsibilities as NCOs to plan and conduct training to prepare Soldiers to meet physical requirements. The time required is based on your initial assessment, and estimated time to meet the goals with your training plan.

FYSA, the 15 minute/mile or 12 miles in 3 hours road march pace is not an Army standard, it is a standard for some Army schools and some units.
FM 7-22 recommends a unit goal of 20km in 5 hours, that's roughly a 24 min/mile pace, as well as outlining a recommended PRT plan for your unit to meet that and other goals.
Mostly because moving a formation at a 15 min/mile pace is a PT event.
In a tactical environment, moving a formation at 15 min/mi pace cedes every tactical advantage except for speed.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 9:57 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 09:57:28 -0500

BTW, I'm not referring to the APFT but more specifically ruck marches. In ALC we started with an 18-minute/mile pace and advanced to a 15-minute/mile. I was hoping someone knew which reg (if applicable) governed how long soldiers had to be held to that quicker pace. One NCO told me it was 30 days, another said, "a reasonable amount of time."

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2019 4:54 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 04:54:14 -0500

They should be in regs for a PT test.

But, a ruck march? Show me the reg where the Army means to standardize ruck marches, and you'll provide your own answer.

Response by MAJ Michael Cummings made May 8 at 2020 8:13 AM

MAJ Michael Cummings — Fri, 08 May 2020 08:13:55 -0400

I know you didn't just ask this.