National Guard NCOs, how do we fix our APFT numbers? We can not force soldiers to PT outside of IDT status. How can we fix it?

People are threaten with being tossed out all the time but they are empty threats and servicemembers know it. No Commander wants to answer up for tossing out fatty's and weak bodies. It will be perceived as a failure in leadership because they could not rectify the issue. In truth, it is a reflection of the soldier and their piss-poor attitude towards PT standards.

I have been in those shoes. not because of APFT failure but Height and Weight. Once my NCOs told me I need to fix it or else I will get kicked out the Army. I moved heaven and Earth to make sure I was a go on the the mext tape test 30 days later

Mandatory PT every month until they pass. That is a pretty good motivator

As a former MFT I can tell you that what I did was map out an individual plan for soldiers failing the test to follow. This happened after Counseling was done with each failure and kept on record. I also used to get up early before my "real" job and meet soldiers several early mornings per week at a local school track to assist them with improving their APFT. I'll admit that one needs to be creative but I think we as leaders whether in the Guard, Reserves or Active Duty need figure a way to assist these soldiers. Of course you probably are still going to have some fail and probably be given the boot but as an NCO function I think any Commander is going to want to know what was done to help these Soldiers (officers and enlisted) to meet with APFT success.

Make threats real.

This is a really good topic. I think we should bring it back.

I would start by NJP for those who fail to meet the standards. Overweight? That's easy it's called ADSEP (ADMINISTRATIVE SEPERATION) . Can't pass fitness standards? ADSEP ... If being a soldier means something to you, you will get in shape in your "off time"...if not then the army is just not for you I guess. Just because you are a reservist does not mean you get a pass.

set the standard and hold the personnel accountable, how hard is that? Youre not telling them that they must do anything, except meet the standard set by the Army, test them at every drill. it isn't that hard. They do as they will when not at drill, set a good example for your men, they'll get the picture. If you don't set an example for them, they get that picture, too.

I wrote to the National Guard Magazine in 1998 and said the same thing. It was never responded to...they did post it on the mailbag...I argued that if a Soldier passes at 60% he should get $600.00, 70% - $700.00, and so on...AGR, military technicians, and USAR Full timers get at least 4 hours per week paid to do PT...As a Infantry Company and Battalion Commander in the Guard I never discharged or punished a Soldier for not passing a PT test. The new APFT won't last. It is too time consuming for the Guard and Reserve to do on a weekend and it costs too much to field. I doubt that each state will field a APFT Kit for every line company and detachment at $6,000 per kit (rumor of cost). Because the new APFT is so complex it will take up way too much time on a drill weekend, it will have to be done during annual training and screw the AT timeline up. Signed Retired 34 years.

As a retiree and veteran of 3 services; my comment is start enforcing Weight regulations and uniform regulations. I live near NAS Fort Worth Carswell. Everyday I see grossly overweight Army and Air Force members. This should not be happening. I left active duty in 1985. The Army during the 80's had a program that if you did not meet standards you were denied promotion or a chance to reenlist. Start doing your job.