I failed my first APFT a few weeks ago, and I have my next APFT coming up. How long does the chaptering process take If fail it again?

PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:16:00 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 2:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:23:02 -0400

Are you looking to get out of the military?? if you're still in AIT you would have to look into the regs-I'm not sure if they're TRADOC specific or not. Look into AR 600-8-2.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 30 at 2017 2:27 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:27:07 -0400

That really depends on your chain of command. As a training NCO I used to be the guy that chartered people for various reasons and each one of them comes with their own process. For something like APFT failure, it could be started the day you fail and finished within a couple weeks or they can drag it out. It really just depends. They can also retain you if they felt so inclined. Even though regulation states that they can give you the boot, if they felt like it they could enroll you in the "fat kid" program and just try to get your PT up to an acceptable score.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 30 at 2017 2:35 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:35:54 -0400

I'm sure someone will be able to address the specifics of your question, but that's not where I want to go with my reply to you.

First, get thoughts like that OUT of your head!

The head game is often the most critical! I once failed a diagnostic PT test after being on profile, and my mind was not in the game. Midway through my run I thought that I wouldn't do well and was out of shape due to not working out much since my injury. It became a self-fulfilling prophesy and I failed the run by 4 seconds. But that wouldn't stand and I said "oh fuck that!" to myself, and the VERY NEXT DAY, mad at myself and knowing damn well I could do better, I smashed my run by more than 2 minutes!

On the physical side:

Focus on what you must do to pass. Put in the extra work. Find someone you can workout with and triage your workouts to focus on your weaknesses. If you suck at running...run! Go for distances beyond 2 miles and paces progressively faster than you are currently comfortable with.

If you need to work on sit-ups and pushups, do those; but I would strongly add hitting weights at the gym. I'm a firm believer in augmenting sit-ups and pushups with weight training. Pneumonia--and months of associated coughing--also helps a lot with sit-ups, though I wouldn't recommend that! ;-)

Remember, get the negative thoughts out of your head first and foremost; they only serve to self-sabotage your efforts.

You can do it. Just work the problem.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 2:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:50:57 -0400

You said you had your first APFT a few weeks ago and another coming up soon? It sounds like one or both may be diagnostics, and you can only be chaptered for two consecutive Record failures. The minimum required time between record APFTs is four months unless TRADOC has some specific regulation that allows it. If they are both records, the company will have the Chapter process down pat; but they may just put you in a holdover status- don't let that happen. Being a holdover is miserable.

More importantly, why are you struggling? If its an injury, that should be addressed. If not, it really depends on how bad you want it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 4:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:26:38 -0400

Do you want to be chaptered out? If not, forget that question. What part of the test gave you issues and by how much did you fail by. Tell me exactly how long you have until your next one and I bet I can tell you how to pass it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 9:02 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 21:02:24 -0400

1. Are you trying to get kicked out? Like ok you signed up you tried out, but coach won't cut you so you're just trying to find out how to get off the team? If so... I understand it's not for everyone thanks for trying out.

2. If you want to stay in, and this is your first record fail, your second one has to be a diagnostic. Which event did you fail and just focus on that event. Sit ups? Strengthen your core do planks and of course master the sit up technique.

Push ups? Only one way to get better... push. Again, technique is key!

3. Run, work on sprinting and long distance

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Jun 30 at 2017 9:11 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 21:11:13 -0400

PVT (P)?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2017 9:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:33:41 -0400

Lol there isn't. You will keep retaking that until u get somewhere

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2017 5:52 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 17:52:22 -0400

Unless you truly want to be chaptered out of the Army, then I would suggest you get that notion out of your thought process. Failing a Record and failing a Diagnostic has two different paths. Failing a Diagnostic, you will be counselled on your failure and placed in the units Remedial PRT program. You will remain in that program until you pass your next Record APFT (or however your unit has the Remedial program set up). If you fail a Record, then all of the previous is in effect except that the 12 month clock starts (where if you fail 2 records within a 12 month period then chapter is then initiated). You should not be given another Record immediately following the initial failure unless you stress that you want it a Record and can state with certainty that you can pass it. Usually 90 days is the standard before another Record is administered by the unit.

But, to answer your question, there is no real defined time frame as to how long it takes for a APFT Chapter to run. I had asked this question at the Company Commander/1SG Course, and the answer given to me by one of the civilian assistants to the USARC G1 is that it could be as little as 2.5 months to 14 months.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 12:29 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:29:31 -0400

Battle! You are not getting chaptered out! Remember back in BCT when I failed my first PT test? That was horrible and then I passed by like 1 point the 2nd time? When I got to AIT, PT was a breeze and I still don't know how that happened and how I got a PT badge, but I did! If I can do it, so can you! Get the negativity that you have in your mind and use it as fuel for your next PT test! Stop with the negativity and focus on the Positive! You will pass this next PT test! I know you can! Take care!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 12:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:56:06 -0400

Personally, if you failed your APFT today, you should be out tomorrow. You swore an oath to defend your nation. One of the many implied tasks is that you remain physically fit to do so. That said, you have to fail a second APFT to start the chapter process. If your chain of command really pushes it, you could be out in less than six months.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Jul 31 at 2017 3:46 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 03:46:19 -0400

What you need to do is ask yourself if you have the burning desire to soldier and succeed. Asking defeatist questions is not the path. But if you don't want to do everything you can do to soldier in my beloved army. By all means piss off. Now, if you are serious you will get to work. Work on your poorest performance 1st but all of it is required. I had buggy whip arms so push-ups were my challenge. But I kept at it and eventually got to where I could do 50 at a time. But your biggest challenge is not the physical part it's that attitude. And I know you are capable because people saw excellence in you.e in you, or you would not be soldiering today So, you need to see it in yourself. I want you to write an action plan. write down why you became a soldier what your major obstacles are for being the soldier you want to be are and then the steps and effort you will take to achieve it. If you follow that plan and read it to yourself out loud once in the morning and once before bed until it is a mantra you will succeed. Now, get busy. You can do this.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 4:22 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 04:22:12 -0400

I don't understand, your profile says you are a trainee. Are you an RSP recruit or perhaps in AIT?

If so, there is always time to pass your APFT (especially if you are in RSP). You shouldn't be thinking about when you will get kicked out. Are you willing to tell us what events you are struggling with? I am sure there are plenty of people on here who can help you with good advice if you let them.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 31 at 2017 5:25 AM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 05:25:17 -0400

The Marines used to test the PFT semi-annually, I assume they still do; and board someone who failed two semi-annuals in a row, barring a medical reason. My entire time on active duty, I do not personally know of a single Marine who was boarded out for PFT failure; or know anyone who had personal knowledge of someone boarded out for PFT failure. I heard about it, but it was rarer than bigfoot scat.

I am asking a serious question? How does an individual or a chain of command get surprised by failure of a PFT? The first Friday after assuming a command, the entire unit was going to take the PFT as part of my command assessment. Anyone on leave or duty who missed the assessment PFT, had better have made it up by COB three days after they became available. And the entire command ran the PFT at least once a month.

If you weren't 1st class, I had my eye on you and my foot up your chain of command's ass. Anyone that was close to, or had failed, was taking the PFT every week, in addition to unit PT and supervised remedial PT, five days a week.

If you had a medical condition that prevented you from participating in unit PT, the unit Corpsman saw the Doctor that gave you the chit, found out what you could and couldn't do, and supervised modified PT, five days a week. Never in the entire time did I have someone who couldn't do some form of PT unless they were confined to a hospital bed. This was particularly important for musculo- skeletal injuries where muscle atrophy could take place. Anyone that was in modified status for more than a week, was weighed in weekly; to make sure they didn't get into an overweight problem.

Response by SGT Michael May made Jul 31 at 2017 6:13 AM

SGT Michael May — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 06:13:51 -0400

First and foremost, you need to think positive and work on the exercises that you struggle with. Ask a friend to help you or speak with your squad leader /section leader to help you in those areas.
Giving up is easy to do, regets last a lifetime. Never leave a what if, or a if only l, on the table. When you look back at your life you want to know that you never gave in to pressure, and never be willing to accept failure, it's only another opportunity for you to succeed. Whoa!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 6:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 06:31:23 -0400

You are seriously focusing on the wrong thing. You need to be focusing on PASSING your APFT. Your command team should have flagged you the day you failed and then youll have a retest 30 days, you have to pass an APFT with in a 90 period. this should have all been briefed to you during your counseling for APFT Failure.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 7:44 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 07:44:08 -0400

Why waste energy on the negative aspects? Instead use it as a motivator to get on PT trail and pass. All the negative stuff is baggage that weighs you down. Use it to put the wind in your sails and pass your test. Circuit course type training builds endurance. Build some upper body strength with gym tools and then work on each event. Work on weaknesses first - meaning the events that are holding you back. I enjoyed taking Platoons on circuit runs. Good pace that all could hang with. Make frequent stops to do exercises. Then, back on your feet and keep moving. Push ups, flutter kicks, side straddle hops. They give weaker runners a breather but they are still moving and that keeps cardio working. Over time you become less winded and have more kick. After run, continue to warm down by running circles in formation, cap it off with wind sprints. Always stretch and warm up, but especially warm down. Lots of it is in the body but most is in the mind.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 9:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:59:40 -0400

You should be focusing on how to pass the next APFT - not how long it takes you to get chaptered. I'm not even going to mention the chapter process because you shouldn't be thinking like that. Your NCOs should be encouraging you and I'm sure you're in remedial PT at this point.

How do you have your next APFT "coming up" if you just failed one a few weeks ago? You're supposed to get 90 days and if it's sooner than that your commander has to approve that.

You need to look at what you failed and how to improve.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 31 at 2017 10:11 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:11:00 -0400

PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member http://www.tradoc.army.mil/tpubs/regs/tr350-6.pdf spells out the APFT requirement for SM in AIT training.
Local policy will dictate if you are held over in training for time to pass the APFT , or separated from service on an a entry level separation (ELS) ((Assuming you are at or below 180 days time in service, after 180 ELS is no longer an option))

But a better question is....Are you looking to succeed and pass? Or looking for a way out?
If the latter... I'll bow out and leave it to you...
If your looking to succeed tell us what APFT event you had trouble with..what your score was, and how many days you have until the next record APFT

tr350-6.pdf

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Response by SSG Diane R. made Jul 31 at 2017 11:07 AM

SSG Diane R. — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:07:32 -0400

Robyn,

You need to do everything you can to pass its next test. Reach out to your squad leader or platoon Sergeant for help. Don't give up, you can do it. It's a mind over matter thing, and morale is half the battle.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 11:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:14:48 -0400

PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member - I will say this in my calm, supportive voice.
STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU WILL FAIL.
Put in the work and you will be fine. You can do it, just like everyone who preceded you did.
Find a buddy to motivate you and hold you accountable.
Quitting might seem easy, but living with it is hard.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 17 at 2018 9:43 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:43:56 -0400

Damn Lady- 1st worry should be about PASSING the AFPT, not worrying about a chapter. Failure should never be an option. You should be working out 2x a day on your shortcomings. By the way that (P) isn't going to happen if you fail, that is a given. Chapters can take weeks normally.

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made Sep 7 at 2018 8:43 AM

MAJ Raymond Haynes — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 08:43:11 -0400

All right guys, get your flame throwers ready...... Private, soldiers like you make me sick. I looked at your profile and your just a kid. You are going to stand there and whine about failing the APFT and have already planned to fail the next. Someone your age should pass it in your sleep. Have some pride in yourself. It sounds to me that the reality of military service has fried your delicate existence and now you want to quit. The Army does not have a draft, you asked to join, and the government has spent more money than you realize to try to train their investment. If you are trying to get out by being a physical example of 100 lbs. of chewed bubble gum, than good, I don't want you in my Army. But do realize this Private failure, you are not fooling anyone. only yourself. When your back on the block and your little friends ask what you learned from the military, at least have the guts to tell the truth. They thought me how to be a failure. You have some serious decisions to make about what road you choose to take that will follow you the rest of your life. If you so choose to take the road of a failure and a quitter, when you get home and mommy and daddy give you a big hug and tell you that its OK because you tried your hardest, realize what they say rings truer than you realize.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2020 11:09 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:09:09 -0500

You’re not getting chaptered, I’ve seen someone fail it 13 times, you’re just gonna keep taking it till you pass, you fulfilling that contract.. lol