Posted on Sep 8, 2017
IAW FM 7-22, is PRT the required warm up for the APFT? If so, is an APFT valid if the preparatory drill is not performed prior to starting?
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I noticed that in FM 7-22 that it only states that the sequence of events is Pushups, Situps, and 2 Mile Run; each event has a minimum recovery time of 10 mins, and max of 20 mins. It does not state anything about PRT before or after the APFT; however every Army course I’ve taken it has been required to do the Prep Drill before the APFT. Could someone clarify this IAW FM 7-22? Thank you!
APFT
PRT (Army)
FM 7-22
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Remember a Field Manual (FM) is not regulation and thus non-binding. The Army Regulation that covers PRT and the APFT is AR 350-1, para. G-9. Preparation and recovery drills are not a mandatory part of the APFT. The only mandatory parts of an APFT are the pushups, sit-ups, aerobic event, and the weigh in. You can be excused from the pushups and sit-ups if you have a permanent profile. Every Soldier must take at one of the aerobic events for a record APFT. You cannot take a record APFT on a temporary profile. I know regulation says that you can't take a record APFT on a temporary profile less than 90 days, but if you look into the AR covering profiles you will see that no temporary profile is supposed to go past 90 days. I hope this helps. If I am wrong, please let me know so i can start running my APFTs correctly. I do give time for my Soldiers to stretch on their own for an APFT. I have them do it while I read the instructions for the APFT and the APFT events.
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BLUF: Per FM 7-22, PRT Preparation and Recovery Drills are part of administering the APFT, due to FM 7-22 seeming to ambiguously state so. However, they are not listed as an invalidating factor if skipped; unlike the APFT exceeding 2-hours from start to finish. Ultimately, as with anything in the Army, Soldier's do what their rank can handle, or what their Commander/CSM doesn't care about. I'm sure some units don't even do basic PRT, or maybe skip the Prep and Recovery Drills, and if their Commanders/CSMs don't enforce it, then the Regulations really don't matter. See references below.
Preparation and Recovery are mentioned in conjunction with the APFT at least five times throughout FM 7-22. The terms "Preparation" and "Recovery" are first defined in Para 5-18, 5-19, 5-20, and 5-21, Chapter 5, as PRT Session Elements (categories). Throughout the rest of FM 7-22, they will either reference to them as Preparation, Preparation Drill (PD), Recovery, or Recovery Drill (RD). the PD is a series of exercises within the Preparation Element. Similarly, RD is a series of exercises within the Recovery Element, although their are more authorized Recovery options following a run. To better understand the intent of FM 7-22 pertaining to your question, read the following sub-paragraphs in listed order, along with accompanying sub-bullets:
5-18
5-19
5-20
5-21
8-19
A-10
A-18
A-33
A-8 (I put this out of order, because it is the Commander's Catch-All that can negate the regulation)
Pertaining to this part of your question: "It does not state anything about PRT before or after the APFT; however every Army course I’ve taken it has been required to do the Prep Drill before the APFT."
See Table 5-10, Table 5-11, and Table 5-12; they show example PRT schedules. On APFT days, they list PD first, then APFT, followed by RD. Everything I've mentioned, is why places like TRADOC and probably NCOES do things exactly by the book; because the CSMs probably require them to.
Preparation and Recovery are mentioned in conjunction with the APFT at least five times throughout FM 7-22. The terms "Preparation" and "Recovery" are first defined in Para 5-18, 5-19, 5-20, and 5-21, Chapter 5, as PRT Session Elements (categories). Throughout the rest of FM 7-22, they will either reference to them as Preparation, Preparation Drill (PD), Recovery, or Recovery Drill (RD). the PD is a series of exercises within the Preparation Element. Similarly, RD is a series of exercises within the Recovery Element, although their are more authorized Recovery options following a run. To better understand the intent of FM 7-22 pertaining to your question, read the following sub-paragraphs in listed order, along with accompanying sub-bullets:
5-18
5-19
5-20
5-21
8-19
A-10
A-18
A-33
A-8 (I put this out of order, because it is the Commander's Catch-All that can negate the regulation)
Pertaining to this part of your question: "It does not state anything about PRT before or after the APFT; however every Army course I’ve taken it has been required to do the Prep Drill before the APFT."
See Table 5-10, Table 5-11, and Table 5-12; they show example PRT schedules. On APFT days, they list PD first, then APFT, followed by RD. Everything I've mentioned, is why places like TRADOC and probably NCOES do things exactly by the book; because the CSMs probably require them to.
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SSG (Join to see) If I squint and read into what FM 7-22 does say, I can see how a unit leader MIGHT come to an opinion PRT preparation drills are part of the APFT... As I went though the army Master Fitness program some many years prior to PRT coming on line, its also very possible this same thing is being taught at MFT school..
IF a unit leader read the FM and took the verbiage of "preparation" to reference the PRT prep drills found in chap 8 titled "preparation and recovery" then that leader might feel chap A1 APFT stating "Test instructions for the push-up, sit-up, and 2-mile run (or approved alternate aerobic event) are read prior to conducting preparation. After preparation is completed, the push-up event will begin. "
Was requiring the PRT prep drills to be conducted prior to the start of the PU event.
BUT no place in chap 8 prep and recover does it mention in any way APFT, either directly (These drills will be done prior to conduct of APFT) nor indirectly (These drills may be should prior to any PRT event, strength training, conditioning, APFT, Ect)
Further supporting that the verbiage in chap A1 using the word "preperation" is in reference to the Prep drills found in chap 8.
Chap A1 also states " Upon completion of all events, recovery will be conducted "
Again, the word recovery is found in chap 8 referencing Prep and recovery drills.
So as the Test set up does not state it clearly, I can see how one might take the verbiage and say it implies it.
If you really want to know for sure, send an email off to the MFT school house and ask.
Ask if they are teaching PRT prep drills ARE done prior to the push up event?
Ask if the intent of the FM verbiage (cited above) was to implied PRT prep drills may, should, are to be conducted prior to the PU event?
Bottom line, SM should prepare them selfs by warming up and then stretching prior to the start of the first APFT event, and the Prep drills in Chap 8 are appropriate for that task.
IF a unit leader read the FM and took the verbiage of "preparation" to reference the PRT prep drills found in chap 8 titled "preparation and recovery" then that leader might feel chap A1 APFT stating "Test instructions for the push-up, sit-up, and 2-mile run (or approved alternate aerobic event) are read prior to conducting preparation. After preparation is completed, the push-up event will begin. "
Was requiring the PRT prep drills to be conducted prior to the start of the PU event.
BUT no place in chap 8 prep and recover does it mention in any way APFT, either directly (These drills will be done prior to conduct of APFT) nor indirectly (These drills may be should prior to any PRT event, strength training, conditioning, APFT, Ect)
Further supporting that the verbiage in chap A1 using the word "preperation" is in reference to the Prep drills found in chap 8.
Chap A1 also states " Upon completion of all events, recovery will be conducted "
Again, the word recovery is found in chap 8 referencing Prep and recovery drills.
So as the Test set up does not state it clearly, I can see how one might take the verbiage and say it implies it.
If you really want to know for sure, send an email off to the MFT school house and ask.
Ask if they are teaching PRT prep drills ARE done prior to the push up event?
Ask if the intent of the FM verbiage (cited above) was to implied PRT prep drills may, should, are to be conducted prior to the PU event?
Bottom line, SM should prepare them selfs by warming up and then stretching prior to the start of the first APFT event, and the Prep drills in Chap 8 are appropriate for that task.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree with you. I'm just adding more to strengthen the inference. Whoever wrote this FM, must not have had anyone review it.
The terms "Preparation" and "Recovery" are first defined in Para 5-18, 5-19, 5-20, and 5-21, Chapter 5 as PRT Session Elements (categories), and Para 5-20 lays out specific guidelines to conduct Prep Drills (PD) before the APFT, and Recovery Drills (RD) after conclusion of the APFT. At this point, PD becomes a term directly synonymous with the Preparation Session Element, and RD becomes a term directly synonymous with the Recovery Session Element. Thus when used in similar context later in Appendix 1, it should be inferred that Preparation and Recovery without a doubt mean PD and RD, although I'm not sure why didn't make a more distinct difference in terminology.
Furthermore, Para 8-19 states the "The RD will be conducted at the end of all PRT sessions, especially after the conduct of the APFT..."
Then Table 5-10, Table 5-11, and Table 5-12 all provide PRT calendar examples of scheduled APFTs, listing PD first, then the APFT, then the RD. There seems to be alot of implied information through the FM, but not enough definitive information where its needed.
The terms "Preparation" and "Recovery" are first defined in Para 5-18, 5-19, 5-20, and 5-21, Chapter 5 as PRT Session Elements (categories), and Para 5-20 lays out specific guidelines to conduct Prep Drills (PD) before the APFT, and Recovery Drills (RD) after conclusion of the APFT. At this point, PD becomes a term directly synonymous with the Preparation Session Element, and RD becomes a term directly synonymous with the Recovery Session Element. Thus when used in similar context later in Appendix 1, it should be inferred that Preparation and Recovery without a doubt mean PD and RD, although I'm not sure why didn't make a more distinct difference in terminology.
Furthermore, Para 8-19 states the "The RD will be conducted at the end of all PRT sessions, especially after the conduct of the APFT..."
Then Table 5-10, Table 5-11, and Table 5-12 all provide PRT calendar examples of scheduled APFTs, listing PD first, then the APFT, then the RD. There seems to be alot of implied information through the FM, but not enough definitive information where its needed.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SFC (Join to see) - Correct, its enough gray area where I would not be comfortable telling a commander the FM does not support his requirement to conduct PRT Chap 8 prep drills prior to an APFT, but I also would not tell a CDR he was wrong if he told the formation, you will have 10 min to warm up and stretch on your own prior to the start of our APFT.
So two things, one Id still get clarification from the SME's, the MFT school.
If you feel the gray area gives you more flexibility, then let it go.
If you feel the implied but not stated gray are needs clarification and specific language then you can submit a DA Form 2028, Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms.|
Careful though you may get what your asking for....and the FM updated to require all chap 8 prep drills be conducted prior to the APFT event and all recover drills in Chap 8 performed at the conclusion .. add 30-60 min to an already long morning... as well as, the last event, the run is semi decentralized in that once you cross the finish line, confirm with your grader they recorded your finish time commonly the SM is released to cool down and stretch as needed..... if the FM is changed to mandate chap 8 recovery drills after the run , that likely means at least being stuck till a group is gathered and a leader can lead the formation though recovery.. some units will flex even more and hold the entire unit till all have completed the run, and then conduct recovery as a unit... talk about performance punishment... finish the run in 9:22 and have to stand around another 30 min or more for all the run stragglers to finish so you can do cool down and recovery with them...
So two things, one Id still get clarification from the SME's, the MFT school.
If you feel the gray area gives you more flexibility, then let it go.
If you feel the implied but not stated gray are needs clarification and specific language then you can submit a DA Form 2028, Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms.|
Careful though you may get what your asking for....and the FM updated to require all chap 8 prep drills be conducted prior to the APFT event and all recover drills in Chap 8 performed at the conclusion .. add 30-60 min to an already long morning... as well as, the last event, the run is semi decentralized in that once you cross the finish line, confirm with your grader they recorded your finish time commonly the SM is released to cool down and stretch as needed..... if the FM is changed to mandate chap 8 recovery drills after the run , that likely means at least being stuck till a group is gathered and a leader can lead the formation though recovery.. some units will flex even more and hold the entire unit till all have completed the run, and then conduct recovery as a unit... talk about performance punishment... finish the run in 9:22 and have to stand around another 30 min or more for all the run stragglers to finish so you can do cool down and recovery with them...
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The FM states that PRT should be done 5 days a week and that the APFT is best conducted on a Monday to ensure adequate recovery and performance. The appendix that covers the actual APFT states that soldiers shouldn't be tested when fatigued or ill. There is nothing about mandatory warm up/cool down.
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SFC (Join to see)
Sir, I feel I found information in FM 7-22 to the contrary. See my lengthy comment above. What are your opinions on it?
Pertaining to the argument of warmup causing fatigue. I agree and disagree. Warmup can be very beneficial to increased performance output. However, if done incorrectly, it can absolutely lead to fatigue. Normally I wouldn't trust another Soldier, regardless of rank, to come up with some random warmup, because those "good ideas" usually turn into the group being forced to do way more repetitions than necessary. However, with the PRT Prep Drills and repetition count, I've actually found it moderately beneficial. Granted, not every Soldier's fitness level is the same, so 10 repetitions of pushups or Rowers might be cutting too much into their testing energy.
Just wondering; if we never actually use the Prep Drills before the start of the APFT, as indicated in FM 7-22, is there a possibility we may be hurting overall APFT performance, assuming it would hurt them rather than help? Science and practice backs up the idea of warming up, so its not like the Army is missing the mark on this.
Pertaining to the argument of warmup causing fatigue. I agree and disagree. Warmup can be very beneficial to increased performance output. However, if done incorrectly, it can absolutely lead to fatigue. Normally I wouldn't trust another Soldier, regardless of rank, to come up with some random warmup, because those "good ideas" usually turn into the group being forced to do way more repetitions than necessary. However, with the PRT Prep Drills and repetition count, I've actually found it moderately beneficial. Granted, not every Soldier's fitness level is the same, so 10 repetitions of pushups or Rowers might be cutting too much into their testing energy.
Just wondering; if we never actually use the Prep Drills before the start of the APFT, as indicated in FM 7-22, is there a possibility we may be hurting overall APFT performance, assuming it would hurt them rather than help? Science and practice backs up the idea of warming up, so its not like the Army is missing the mark on this.
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MAJ (Join to see)
You're correct on all your points. The FM does state that preparation and recovery will be conducted for the APFT, but it leaves it pretty vague and open for interpretation in my opinion. I think anyone who does an APFT without warming up is crazy but the last thing I want is someone failing and then saying it's because I worked them too hard prior to starting.
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Forgive my frankness! It sounds as if you are very intelligent and astute at research, not to mention a CPL. I am unsure of your motive, did you (or a fellow Soldier) fail and are looking for an excuse? Bottom line is that their is personal responsibility associated with all requirements in the military, if you are aware of a mis-step in an organizational process it is contingent upon you to voice your issue so that the unit can correct its failure. In this case personal responsibility alos measn that yoi shpuld be warming up before the event and between events. If I mis-read your intentions then the response stands for what should happen. Thank you for your service.
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SGM Erik Marquez
CSM Darieus ZaGara " In this case personal responsibility alos measn that yoi shpuld be warming up before the event and between events."
I would hope this was not a planed excuse to invalidate a APFT due to failure... My mind does not work that way so i never considered it.
I was reading this as some leader had read the FM and decided Prep drills from Chap 8 were required.... and others were hoping thats not so....
In any case, I do not personally read the FM as requiring Prep drills to validate an APFT.
And I agree, it is a personal responsibility to prep yourself before, during and after... BUT it also reads straight out of the FM as a command responsibility.. I suppose, because of the lowest common denominator ...the ones that will not warm up and stretch or cool down properly, and that becomes a force protection issue as well as a training opportunity missed or enforced.
I would hope this was not a planed excuse to invalidate a APFT due to failure... My mind does not work that way so i never considered it.
I was reading this as some leader had read the FM and decided Prep drills from Chap 8 were required.... and others were hoping thats not so....
In any case, I do not personally read the FM as requiring Prep drills to validate an APFT.
And I agree, it is a personal responsibility to prep yourself before, during and after... BUT it also reads straight out of the FM as a command responsibility.. I suppose, because of the lowest common denominator ...the ones that will not warm up and stretch or cool down properly, and that becomes a force protection issue as well as a training opportunity missed or enforced.
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SSG (Join to see)
To clear the air Sergeants Major, this is/ was not a question to undermine my unit or any Army leader. I’m attending Basic Leader Course, and heard that the “proper way to conduct a PT test is to begin with PRT Preparatory Drill 1”. I was asking because I have never been told that you HAVE to do PRT before the APFT, and was wondering for my own personal knowledge if the FM or any Army Regulation states that the warm up HAS to be the PRT Preparatory Drill 1.
Not every junior enlisted member on Rally Point has ill-intentions to undermine leadership; though that seems to be the conclusion that a handful of Senior NCOs jump to almost every time I ask a question.
Thank you for your responses Sergeants Major, and for both of your service.
Not every junior enlisted member on Rally Point has ill-intentions to undermine leadership; though that seems to be the conclusion that a handful of Senior NCOs jump to almost every time I ask a question.
Thank you for your responses Sergeants Major, and for both of your service.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
If I misunderstood your intent I apologize. It may have helped if you prefaced your statement as you did now. Thank you for your service.
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