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?

I was never in the NG or Reserves, but if the NG members live in a local area (meaning near each other) then they should form a group that meets 3x a week to exercise. This is voluntarily done, so if someone does not show up, no issues. Some people might call this Teamwork, help each other out.

Simple. Motivate them. If they fail the APFT, they don't get paid.

Retired now, but have always thought that there should be some type of reimbursement for gym use for reserve/guard. The base I drilled at was 84 miles away, had a gym. To go there is unrealistic. There is a gym at the state national guard HQ near by but they do not allow reservists to use it, guard only. If you are going to have a fitness program and not follow through with access to equipment makes no sense. Then to say well you have job and can afford to pay a membership is disingenuous. It's an added expense. I compare it to a certification, if you make it mandatory than you need to reimburse for the maintenance.

Ok, let's start with...Why do we see so many civilians, Bankers, Real Estate Brokers, Insurance Agents, Business Owners, Nurses, Doctors, Lawyers, REGULAR CIVILIANS, who care more about their physical fitness than our joe's? They do ToughMudders, Marathons, Triathlons and such things working-out harder than an Active Duty or Reserve Soldier. One whose way of life and surviving the Battle Field is by being physically fit? Isn't that enough incentive? Coming back alive from the battlefield? It is a true embarrassment that we as NCOs are asking those type of questions when the answer should be, simply LEAD BY EXAMPLE. If you don't know how. Read the NCO creed then LIVE it, BREATH it, BE IT. But for now, memorize it. Keeping in mind on this copy, if the BOLD LETTERS if is what you DON'T see in the leadership around you in respect to the APFT, let it be you the good example But the answer is in the BOLD LETTERS. Let memorize it so we can help other leaders on that question>
NO ONE IS MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, A LEADER OF SOLDIERS. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army." I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers, and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service, and my country; regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

COMPETENCE IS MY WATCH-WORD. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind: ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MISSION AND THE WELFARE OF THE SOLDIERS. I WILL STRIVE TO REMAIN TECHNICALLY AND TACTICALLY PROFICIENT. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer, I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. ALL SOLDIERS ARE ENTITLED TO OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP; I WILL PROVIDE THAT LEADERSHIP. I know my Soldiers, and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers, and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I WILL EARN THEIR RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE AS WELL AS THAT OF MY SOLDIERS. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

The best way to increase or numbers is to focus on rest, not excess. Your soldiers won't test well with painful knees and shin splints. Running more just leads to more injuries. My friend was in the marines and thought army pt was ridiculous by making soldiers run everyday. USMC pt consisted of team sports like basketball to allow endurance, stamina and conditioning to take place as well as increase morale. Running everyday with only hurt your soldiers. You shouldn't run more than once or twice a week. The other days should consist of interchangeable activities like meeting at the gym or doing sit ups and crunches one to one with their buddy. I was forced to run 3-5 miles everyday. We all became sick and injured, nothing more. Work smarter like the marines, not harder like the army.

Well the state like to keep their numbers up that’s the biggest opposition I see but it hurt the soldier all together because they are flagged I had my pv1 actual cry he friends were getting promoted and he couldn’t but it seem as though he never passed a pt test even in basic

This post struck a chord with me. As a reservist, I see first-hand the clear lack of any fitness training outside of drill for a lot of soldiers. I take pride in my fitness, and I do my absolute best to maintain a high level of fitness, but I often see my soldiers as well as my higher-ups fail to meet standards. To answer the question, "How can we fix it?" Really, there is one obvious answer: Motivation.

Physical training an integral part of the Army. Although there are thousands of MOSs on either end of the spectrum, the first and foremost aspect is to be a soldier, and fitness is an essential part of that. Reserve/NG soldiers aren't forced to do mandatory PT outside of drill, so when they’re home and without that push to do PT, more often than not they completely avoid it. I can definitely relate on those cold, dark mornings when I know I need to go for my run, but my bed is just so warm and welcoming. Although myself, and I'm sure many others, share the drive to actually overcome that and just workout, some soldiers lack that motivation to get up and do it.

To “fix” that, well, it really comes down to self-motivation and just training yourself to get up and workout, but it can also be access to gyms. I’ve paid for my gym membership since before I joined the military, and yeah, it’s an extra expense, but when your job is to maintain a level of fitness, you should make a point to keep the standard. I know that someone will point out that as a reserve/NG member, jobs keep them from working out. Again, speaking for myself, I went to school full-time, worked three jobs, and I still found time to work out. Even if it’s just a quick 15-minute Tabata or run, it’s better than nothing at all. Most of the time I do a workout with no equipment at all, rather I stick to calisthenics and bodyweight workouts. And the best part is that the Army has done an excellent job providing bodyweight movements—all of which could be performed even in a small studio apartment. I’m not saying one needs a gym membership to stay in shape, just going outside and doing the push-ups, sit-ups, and run would even suffice (I won’t bring up the ACFT, as that’s another can of worms), but having the option of a gym might give reserve/NG soldiers more motivation to stay in shape, especially when their civilian jobs are odd hours.

I've never been active duty, other than separate missions, deployments, and annual training, but I have noticed that active duty has that motivation that reservists/NG soldiers lack, not just because it’s mandatory, but also because group PT really helps in building motivation. Now, I can only speak for myself, but once that lifestyle of integrating PT into every morning—or evening—schedule becomes habitual, even personal motivation grows and oftentimes you want to continue to better yourself.

Active duty has access to free gyms (outside of morning PT), simply for being a SM, which, in my opinion, is completely fair. They signed to line to serve as an active duty soldier and are guaranteed various means and accesses. However, even though reservists/NG members are also given that free access, usually it’s only when they’re on active duty orders.

This would be my suggestion: Any reserve/NG member who lives within a certain number of miles to an active duty fitness facility should be given free access with the same benefits as active duty. Those who don’t should at least be given the option to have a gym membership so that they have the same access of both outdoor PT and gym facilities as active duty, especially for E1-E4 reserve/NG who usually can’t afford any extra expenses with their meager drill pay and other source of income. Since the Army has always emphasized fitness standards, all soldiers, whether active or not, should be given the same access to maintaining that standard. But in all honesty, it really starts with the individual. If they don't take advantage of what's being freely given, then that's when we question if the military is right for them.

Are fitness centers in armories/reserve training centers available to service members who are not unit members but live locally or are we shooting ourselves in the foit?

It will NEVeR happen. The guard has been and has remained a good old boy system. The problem stems from high in the chain. Dump all or majority of so called leadership and have an active duty Officers and Senior NCO’s provide oversite on huard bases. Worse of all; once a guard member retires from the gravy train, most return only to return to work as civilian employees both on the guard base or Guard Burue. The same idiots continue on amd on with the same mentality and close circle of worthless crooks. The few that are decent or good, move to reserve units and deploy more often than the guard fraternity order. All this talks for decades and you see the same Pilsbery lard asses as usual in the guard. What is mental os the fact that they could possibly pass a PT test. We all know there has to be a non compliance and wrongfully passing both enlisted and Officers in majority of the Guard bases. The end talking point, holding accountability to those Giard bases failing to hold standards especially corruption in actuality providing to correct PT scores.

First off, commanders are afraid to PT during drill status for fear a soldier gets hurt. The paperwork is assigned. Annual training they might do some but less likely unless the are doing the APFT. Soldiers working 10 or 12 hour days sure dont want to do PT when they get home. PT is important but on the case of Guard and Reserve they should focus more on MOS skills.