Is there a time frame to notify soldiers that they will be taking an APFT?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:04:31 -0400

I was just told that I will be taking the APFT tomorrow morning and it is currently 1800

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 11:10 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:10:25 -0400

Nope.
The commander can do it whenever he/she wishes.
However for it to be a record APFT, they must be at least four months apart.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 29 at 2018 11:21 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:21:16 -0400

I always thought your notice for having to take one was 24 hours notice.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 11:36 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:36:35 -0400

So originally I was told by my NCOIC that I will take it on the 2nd of April. Here it is now the 29th and they said I am now expected to take it tomorrow morning at 0500. With that being said I told that I am not feeling well and I am still stuck at work with a migraine at 1830. They said that I don't have to take it however I still have to be at the APFT in summer PT's for, "support"

Response by Sgt Adrian Jones made Mar 29 at 2018 11:41 AM

Sgt Adrian Jones — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:41:57 -0400

I don't know about the Army but in the Marine Corps everyone knows that you have to conduct a PFT once a quarter. So when I was a junior Marine I was also already until I ran a PFT after which I got fat and nasty unit the next quarter rinse and repeat. But normally I would give my Marines a two week to month notice..

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 11:48 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:48:12 -0400

Nope, its a command decision. Soldiers are required to maintain physical readiness at all times which means they can execute a passing APFT at any time.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 29 at 2018 12:09 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:09:15 -0400

You gotta' be mobile, agile and hostile, stay ready so you don't waste time getting that way. The Commander can drop an APFT on you any time. Record test every six, but not less than 4 months apart.
That said we used to have APFTs scheduled and posted on the Training schedule monthly so we could roll up eligible folks coming off profile recovery periods, past failures, promotions, NCOES or new arrivals who lost their score cards en-route. Having it on the calendar alleviated the "hay Joe APFT tomorrow for you" stuff.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Mar 29 at 2018 12:22 PM

SFC Dennis A. — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:22:46 -0400

When I was young and never read the training schedule I usually found out about it the morning of the test. Which really didn't matter as you are supposed to be ready at all times. Of course on a few it would have been nice to have not been hungover.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 29 at 2018 12:34 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:34:25 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member NO, you simply must be told before the event if it is a "For Record" test
"(4) RECORD APFT IS DEFINED AS AN APFT ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMANDER AND SPECIFIED BEFOREHAND THAT THE RESULTS ARE FOR RECORD, THIS IS TO INCLUDE A MAKEUP OR RE-TEST APFT. A MAKE-UP OR RETEST APFT DOES NOT PREVENT A SOLDIER FROM TAKING THE NEXT RECORD APFT SCHEDULED BY THE COMMANDER. COMMANDER MAY ADMINISTER THE APFT AS OFTEN AS THEY WISH (FOR RECORD OR PRACTICE) AS LONG AS THEY ADHERE TO THE POLICY DESCRIBED BELOW:"

A. THE ACTIVE ARMY (AC), ACTIVE GUARD/RESERVE (AGR) SOLDIERS WILL TAKE THE APFT FOR RECORD AT LEAST TWICE EACH CALENDAR YEAR. SOLDIERS IN THE ARNG TPUS WILL TAKE THE APFT FOR RECORD AT LEAST ONCE EACH CALENDAR YEAR.

B. A MINIMUM OF FOUR MONTHS WILL SEPARATE RECORD TESTS FOR AC, AGR AND USAR TPU SOLDIERS. A MINIMUM OF EIGHT MONTHS WILL SEPARATE RECORD TESTS FOR ARNG TPU SOLDIERS. "

That said, If it was on the training calendar and you, the SM did not bother to read it, your lack of knowledge is your own fault.

If it is an unplanned off calendar event being thrown in last minute due to some missed requirement or drop dead task from higher, Id consider it piss poor planning on the Commanders part.

In general, other than a Unannounced UA, a commander wants to see his team successful, so it would be best not to "surprise" the team with an APFT for record.

I've done it ONCE, the company paid the price for ONE senior NCO who always managed to be absent the day of the record APFT...and his make up APFT done by "others" always had him near max and passing weigh in screen ...........
So the CDR, and company 1SG arranged quietly to have a company record APFT, it was announced at morning formation and happened immediate following. I wont say it was the best idea, and it was not "fair" but it was successful

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Mar 29 at 2018 12:38 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:38:32 -0400

Best practice is to send out a MFR in advance with those that are taking the APFT. But, they don't have to do it that way.

Response by SSG Eric Trace made Mar 29 at 2018 5:06 PM

SSG Eric Trace — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:06:11 -0400

No, Commanders Call, but you must be told before you start if it is for record or not.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 30 at 2018 10:42 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 10:42:05 -0400

Sounds normal to me.