I have a soldier who wants to extend for deployment, but are flagged for APFT. Can the CO waive such flag?

Thanks sir. We’re trying. He’s a good soldier, just can’t run. There’s rumors the commander will waive his extension request in hopes that he will give max effort and focus on deployment to pass his run.

CPL (Join to see) - boils down to him, end of the day.

Thanks for the info SFC.

Since it hasn't been mentioned at all, have you looked into other factors that could be holding him back? For example, how's his diet? Does he eat healthy or is he hitting up mcdonald's every day for lunch with a giant 32oz soda? Does he smoke, drink, dip or kill energy drinks like nobody's business? All of these things can hinder your physical fitness potential.

Does he have good shoes to run with that aren't worn out and have decent soles? How about his run form?

There's a lot of different exercises you can do to help build someone's cardiovascular fitness other than running. Such as rowing, jump rope, jumping jacks, etc. Don't stick with just running and hope for improvement (not saying you are).

He’s not fat, and has a decent amount of muscle, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what he eats. Never thought about that specially. Thanks for the advice chief. CW2 (Join to see)

I think you're on the right track here. If you have an Army Wellness Center close by, he can get a BF% measurement in the BodPod and do a sub-max VO2 test to get a baseline. He can repeat in 2-3 months to see if he is making progress. If there is an H2F facility close by, he can go get his running form checked out and receive instruction on Running Drills to improve form. A knowledgeable MFT can build him a program to train for his 2MR. Other options would be to seek out a running coach from a local college or semi-pro sports team (these people love to help the military in general) or to travel to your closest MFT schoolhouse. Worst case, you can find a contact at the MFT schoolhouse or H2F, film his running form from a stationary point on a track. Have him run the 2 miles around a quarter mile track and send the video in. That person can then assess his form 8 times as he gets more fatigued during his run.

I personally would not take a Soldier on a deployment if they can't meet the standard. If a Soldier is working out correctly, it shouldn't take more than 2 months (3 max) to get to the point where they can pass the APFT. If he isn't putting in the effort to decrease his times or is mentally quitting during his 2MR, then he isn't worth granting an exception. He'll be a liability. Only time will tell.

Let me know if I can help.

Thanks SFC. I’ll keep posting updates.CPT (Join to see)

Thank you SFC. We already have an appointment scheduled to talk to them.

Just like in any private business, company. There are standards for a reason.

Thank SSG. Completely agree with you.

Probably not. It’s just his 2 mile time. Which literally measures nothing. He’s already proven himself as a capable soldier, and has already deployed Once. I just hate to see him denied his extension because of a 2 mile time. We’ve tried just about everything to help him but still no improvement.

Clarification, the Army and all branches are competitive as they should be.

Will do SFC. He’s been approved for his extension, so now it All falls on him to pass. Nothing left I can do to help him. Guess we’ll just see how bad really wants to stay in.

Yeah well.. The Army lets down it's soldiers in many ways, so it's not "always" completely due to a soldier's shortcomings. Case in point: Modern research says that some people are simply insulin resistant, genetically. If these people eat bread, pasta, or other carbohydrates in anything other than minor amounts, they gain fat. The Army chow halls continue to put forth bad info on high-fat foods "possibly impacting performance" and telling soldiers to avoid them, in favor of whole grains (carbohydrates). We evolved to use fat as fuel, and carbohydrates were for gaining fat for the winter months. Eating a high fat diet, while avoiding all carbohydrates, is the easy mode to losing weight. You ever hear an NCO telling an overweight soldier this? No, they generally P.T. the soldier to death (which makes them hungrier), and the cycle continues.

I have known many soldiers who were rock stars in everything physically, except they carried a bit too much weight. They were judged to be poor soldiers who lacked discipline in eating, and ended up being chaptered for being overweight. These were soldiers who exercised, ate what the Food Pyramid (and the chow halls) recommended, and inevitably gain 3-4 pounds a year. They try to cut back calorically, cutting fat while maintaining the carbs in the diet, and this makes them both weaker and hungrier.

So, I for one applaud this CPL for making the extra effort to help his soldier, because a lot of times, our military makes some dead wrong assumptions about soldiers. And gives them dead wrong advice on how to remedy shortcomings at times.

When they need to deploy, APFT waived, over weight waived. I have seen it many times. SFC John Wade

All I am saying is that if the Army benefits, all things are possible. SFC John Wade

He’s not flagged currently, but he’s unable to take a record right now due to lockdown. His ETS is coming up right after our scheduled deployment date, but he wants to extend just for the deployment. To formally extend, you require a passing APFT score. Since he has no record on file, We we’re trying to push a waiver to the CO so he can extend. SFC John Wade

I am pretty sure there is a way to administer the test. The Army has lifted restrictions on Basic and AIT , and left it to Commanders, not sure what level, to decide what is essential and what is not. Speak to the command. CPL (Join to see)