Is there anything in the training and doctrine regulation that mentions a training unit requiring a PT area within vicinity of AIT barracks?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 12:20:38 -0400

I am currently assigned as an AIT Instructor for PSYOP Soldiers that come to Fort Bragg from whatever location they came from for basic training. As a former Drill Sergeant myself, I have a decent idea of how to handle trainees in a training environment. Unfortunately, Fort Bragg is not a TRADOC post. So we have to share the majority of facilities and training sites with permanent party Service Members. One of my concerns is that the trainees do not have an adequate PT area to conduct PT in the morning before going to class for the day. We are in the midst of talking to DPW and Engineers about building up a PT area on the backside of our barracks area. I do not know how much kick back we are going to get, but I would like to help defend our case on the essentials to having a designated PT area should kick backs happen. In my experiences while on the trail, I noticed a generally common pattern. Training (BCT/OSUT/etc.) barracks or "starships" had a PT/running track and dining facility within vicinity of barracks area so that getting to PT or chow in the mornings only took a few minutes of walking or marching to get there. This helped facilitate such busy training days and having to constantly be on the go to make the mission. If there is a standard, where can such a standard be found? Does that apply to Advanced Individual Training barracks as well? I am looking for something in black and white that I may use to our units defense as to why this is essential to mission success and that we may potentially not be to standard. We have a DFAC about 5 mins walking/marching distance from the barracks. We conduct PT in the mornings behind our barracks in a small grass/sand blend area that contains random ant hills/beds and potential hazards from objects that stick out from the ground or electrical wires and boxes. For PT tests, we have to walk the students 30-40 mins away from the barracks to a quarter mile PT track. That is the nearest track from the barracks and the flattest and safest area to conduct a PT test without being in the way of permanent party Service Members who are driving at those hours to first formation and PT. Any advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Some days I miss being a Drill Sergeant and sometimes I don't. But as an instructor my tenacity to train and mentor doesn't stop and I want to continue to help. Best of luck to all current and future Drill Sergeants, Platoon Sergeants, and soon to be AIT Drill Sergeants.

This We'll Defend!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 1:42 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 13:42:58 -0400

As far as somewhere to take a PT test I would recommend the track off of Ardennes near the bowling alley/swimming pool (not sure if this is the one you are walking to or not). Ardennes is always open for PT so you don't have to worry about road closures. Now how busy that track is and who occupies it during PT I do not know.

If you are looking for the safest area to conduct regular PT, I would suggest crossing Gruber onto Kedenburg (what Ardennes merges into). There is a PT field if you follow it all the way until you come to a T, make a left and you should see them in once you clear the tree line. There are also some pretty nice running trails to do back there as well. Probably about a mile from your location.

As far as the standard goes that you are looking for, this sounds like something that would be in a policy letter provided by the SWCC school house.

I can help you find alternatives to your regular PT area if you are having DPW/Saftey issues but it all depends on how far you are willing to travel (Assuming you guys are still located off of Merill). Most of that area is parking lots and buildings with very little grass. I am not sure sure how familar you are with Fort Bragg but I was stationed there for eight years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 1:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 13:43:42 -0400

I went through the PSYOP AIT program in 2007 (Nov 2006 to March 2007) and I'm trying to remember where we did PT. For some reason I can't place it. We did a metric f-ton of woods runs, we airborne shuffled to chow through the woods and then to class. But I don't remember where we actually did PT. I want to say it was on an old baseball field about half a mile from the barracks and we'd form up in a parking lot for runs. I know it wasn't on a track and field, because for the APFT we had to get bussed to a field.

That doesn't really answer your question though. I don't know of any regulation or requirement that deals with the accessibility to a track. One of the "selling points" of the current PT systems is the idea that it can be done anywhere.

Your best bet might be to check post rules and regulations, they may have something specific that requires units have access to a track and gym.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Sep 14 at 2017 4:43 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 16:43:00 -0400

I'm a little confused by your problem. My OSUT at Leonard Wood didn't have a special PT area. We ran on the roads like all of the other trainees and regular army units did. We did push ups and situps in the same area that we did first formation. The PT test was on a relatively flat stretch of road. And when I got to my first duty station, other than a ramped up intensity, PT was conducted in an identical manner. So I'm confused as to why you need a special PT area outside of the trainee barracks.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 10:50 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 22:50:16 -0400

Sounds right SSG, that's what Fort Lee was like. Though Fort Lee is TRADOC. Barracks were right next to the designated PT area, chow hall was on the other side of the barracks. Seemed designed fairly well.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 15 at 2017 11:51 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 23:51:31 -0400

Just from a common sense approach, I would say the fact that you have trainees and you need to isolate them from permanent party personnel. Your students will not likely have a car or be allowed to use it if they had one. PT is part of your POI, so it is required for you to have said area. Is the DFAC shared? Again, you have a requirement to control trainees during meals. You also need to keep them focused timewise, so your POI can stay on track. You don't want your privates getting super advice from the E4 mafia and the Barracks Law team. The best you might get is the grass area by your barracks with runs around the immediate streets and areas. Maybe some pull up bars etc. That's what AIT students did at Aberdeen when it was a training post.