Is it just a Guard thing when AIT graduates have difficulty with the APFT?

Sir most of the failures are recent graduates of AIT. Our other failures are constantly working and trying to meet the standard. after a few months they normally pass, and do so very well.

That makes no sense regarding the Reserve component. Leaders that only see Soldiers two days a year have zero ability to influence their physical fitness, any other ideas are delusions.

We do fairly well, but it is really easy to see who is in it for college money and who wants to be a part of the organization. Those with the drive to do so, go onto learn from their shortcomings and pass with flying colors, it may take a while, but they tend to redeem themselves.

MAJ (Join to see) - I would say "not much" rather than zero. You can influence, but you can't control. A reserve component officer can do some things, but can't control their own strength, can't get rid of a soldier who hasn't killed anyone yet, has very few conventional methods available. CPT Kletzing is ignoring that for 1/3 of the Army (Guard and Reserve) strength, there is very little administratively you can do. You're only going to be in that slot for a short time, but in that time you can try to squeeze in PT in addition to required training, you can set the example by being fit yourself, you can conduct APFT as often as you can, conduct it professionally, screen for weight frequently, make a weight room and a track for your armory, find discounts for gyms, bring in a personal trainer, aim soldiers to sources for cheap refurbished bikes (Working Bikes in Chicago is an example of a place where a soldier could do volunteer hours and learn bike maintenance and come out of it with their own bike, and maybe drive less and exercise more.