Is there any logical reason why the unit requires soldiers to take a weekly PT test when they are 90 days out from any school?

It's because of the rate of soldiers that have slid through the cracks and made it to schools over weight and physically not fit. That reflects back on the chain of command and big Army see's this and all parties concerned come under fire for sending a soldier whi is unable to meet the standard to graduate that school.

When you become a company 1SG some day, you will realize just how important this will be to keep the BDE CSM off your ass. To many service members are taking slots that go wasted for soldiers failing PT Test's and the slot at the school goes unfilled. Waste of budget dollars and to the rest of the soldiers that didn't get in who can pass there APFT. Always has been an issue.

We had a policy that you would take a company/battery/troop APFT. If you passed it, you'd take one at the battalion/squadron level, and a final one would be administered by brigade/regiment. This was mandatory to be authorized for school. There were thresholds in place which constituted a retest as well (e.g. have to be at least 2% away from body fat requirements).

It worked pretty well, because in-school failures for PT pretty much disappeared (a few came up, but it was far and few between).

This wasn't extreme in my opinion for much of the reasons already stated. An APFT should be an easy morning.

I think units should place more of an emphasis on obtaining a Master Fitness Instructor within its ranks to deal with these issues on a more educated level. Rather than constantly using the APFT to train for an APFT.

I see how it could seem like a lot of pain retesting a Soldier until they leave for a school. Ideally, I think leadership test a potential Soldier is because those slots are so vital. If a unit decides to approve a school request and a Soldier for example flunks the APFT. Not only will they probably lose a slot, but it also looks bad on the unit and Soldier. The basic prerequisites of attending a School, is to be physically fit. And to take a risk on a Soldier by assuming a Soldier is in shape, is a risk most units will not take. So they constantly test you to avoid any embarrassment of you not being physically capable. Also by testing you, I think it helps to correct any weaknesses you have in completing the test. Maybe you're a weak runner or you constantly fail PUs or SUs. I've seen where a Soldier was preparing for an NCOES school and he never could pass the run or he was always borderline. His unit gave him a weekly APFT and he steadily improved. Just my opinion though. Good post!

The CSM or higher leaders have probably been burned by Soldiers being certified by the unit and failing to meet the admission PRT/APFT for their NCOA course, Airborne School or other military school requiring the Soldier to take one upon arrival.

You can be given an APFT at anytime to see where the Soldier is, and it's good practice. The more you do something the better you get at it. So when it is time for a record APFT/School you are prepared.

When slots are at a premium for NCOES it only makes sense that a unit send those that can meet the standards, in my day many Soldiers were booted from schools for failing APFT's and SUDDENLY not making tape. All those wasted slots and that's what they are WASTED could have gone to Soldiers that could have made the standards. I don't know about weekly testing though, as I see it there is a chance to injure a Soldier whop scores well on APFT's if you make them take it weekly but that's a risk assessment issue. I got burned twice by Soldiers getting sent back and I made sure it didn't happen again, before I retired it was a big deal that could lead to repercussions from higher and a case of the ass from me.

I can understand the "Backlash" from in school APRT failure. Why make those that are not borderline to failure do that? Maybe by the time they arrive at their school they will fail being burnt out from all the APRT testing. My .2.

Personally I have no issue with this. It's not a trust issue nor is it toxic or micromanaging. You want to "deploy" to a school? Freaking keep yourself in optimal shape and be ready to meet the Standards every week. Unless you are shamed into MAXing it, then just do what you gotta do and quitcherbitchin'.

Is this the case that you had to take a company level APFT, then a BN level APFT, then a BDE level APFT? I've seen that happen a lot. 1SG isn't gonna let you take BNs test unless you pass at the company and then it goes the same way all the way up the chain of command.

Sounds like overkill. However, perhaps the intent is to "train" the Soldiers on taking a NCOES APFT. Once a week would count as a "muscle failure" PT session designed to build strength and endurance for the 3 events. Proper form and execution are just as important. If that is the intent, its not really a "test" but more like practice through repetition.

SGT Laura Delgadillo I think the point every body is leaving out in this discussion, further than the backlash to the Unit, etc. is that there is a cost to the Unit to send you to school. There is a budget to send Soldiers to these development courses and if the Soldier fails, the Unit lose the money invested on him/her. So, further than just making sure that you'll pass that APFT whenever you get to school, they are making sure they don't waste money on you. As for School costs to the Unit, I really don't know but I heard BLC is about $5k/Soldier. SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" and MSG (Join to see) correct me if I am wrong.

I don't think it is a PT test but a diagnostic test and you chain of command can do that at any time, for me I don't condone it but it is legal.

SGT Laura Delgadillo If the CSM has not given you or the class any explanation maybe the instructors have some insights as to his rationale. Hopefully he is not merely acting like a jerk because he can get away with it. Let us know if you find out anything..

Not something I have done in the past. Seems a bit over the top. Have you tried asking you Platoon Sergeant? He may be able shed some light on it.

I believe his logic may be, train like your fight or in this case train like you test. The training is a good habit and can only result in a better score, unless injured. Overall the diagnostic APFT's are a light workout and can only help.

The only thing I can think of is that in his previous and current posting(s), there have been SMs under him that have arrived to their schools only to turn around and come back after failing an APFT. The Soldiers AND their COC/COS can get some serious heat for school house APFT failures. But then, that is the only logical thing I can think of. Personally, I think weekly APFTs are a tad excessive. My directive would be perhaps every two weeks prior to the school to ensure standards are good.....depending on how far out from the school date you are. Talk with your NCOs about this if you haven't done so. Perhaps there was a directive pushed from the BDE CSM explaining why. As for HT/WT....same logic (mine anyway) applies.

the only thing i can think of is if the soldier could use some work on their overall score or may be teetering on the line of the height/weight requirements