Posted on Aug 24, 2014
Should Command teams allow soldiers to have the ability to go to the gym 1-2 hours prior to the end of day formation
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With Big Army complaining about soldier being overweight command teams should allow soldiers to go to the gym and lift weights instead of sitting around the company doing nothing
Fitness
Physical Training
Weightlifting
Command
Army
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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PV2 Elidrissi,
No, for several reasons. Maintaining accountability would be burdensome and some Soldiers might use that time to sham rather than work out. Also, some tasks pop up at the spur of the moment, and you guys might be needed at the company on short notice. Third, it doesn't reflect well on your leaders if their Soldiers are seen at the gym every day during duty hours. Besides, if the Soldiers are motivated enough, they don't need a gym. They can do bodyweight exercises right there at the company. Also, they can work out on their personal time, if company PT isn't doing it for them.
If you have that much free time during the duty day, then maybe you guys should work on your warrior tasks and battle drills, study for the board, knock out more correspondence courses, have D&C contests, and practice writing up developmental counselings.
No, for several reasons. Maintaining accountability would be burdensome and some Soldiers might use that time to sham rather than work out. Also, some tasks pop up at the spur of the moment, and you guys might be needed at the company on short notice. Third, it doesn't reflect well on your leaders if their Soldiers are seen at the gym every day during duty hours. Besides, if the Soldiers are motivated enough, they don't need a gym. They can do bodyweight exercises right there at the company. Also, they can work out on their personal time, if company PT isn't doing it for them.
If you have that much free time during the duty day, then maybe you guys should work on your warrior tasks and battle drills, study for the board, knock out more correspondence courses, have D&C contests, and practice writing up developmental counselings.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
SGT Nickolas Ortiz time to give it up bud, we dont agree with you. Its not a big deal.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
Bro, this conversation is beyond your experience. You know nothing about my unit or command. Your experience from the perspective of a team leader is insightful, thanks. SGT Nickolas Ortiz
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SGT Nickolas Ortiz
CSM Michael Chavaree - actually, you've said plenty to give an informed opinion of "your unit"... very unflattering.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
You know nothing about me or my organization. This is clearly an attempt to be disrespectful because of my rank. You have states your opinion and I disagree, its time to let it go and move on. Have a good one. SGT Nickolas Ortiz
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SSG (Join to see)
There is no regulation against it. It is a command decision from the soldiers leadership.
Personally I feel that as long as the work is complete for the day and there is nothing else to do, why not?
Personally I feel that as long as the work is complete for the day and there is nothing else to do, why not?
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LCpl Sidney Green
Rules regarding working out is just an unnecessary restriction. There are way too many other much more important item for command to focus on. The only time this should be an issue is when troops aren't meeting fitness requirements. If they're meeting the those standards then this shouldn't be an issue.
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We'd have to make some distinctions here, I think :) I'm thinking by "gym" time, you are meaning "a block of time to be used for extra PT." I could be wrong, so...
One of the wonders of the human body is that a soldier can be "overweight" per Army standard, and still smoke a PT test. Lifting weights is great for strength training, but not so much for endurance training. Additionally, of course, muscle is heavier than fat, so if "weight loss" is the goal, there may not be much of an appreciable difference. Cardio training should be emphasis.
Well, with the idea that given an inch, some folks will take a mile...
I'd say "Sure." I'd be proactive as a Commander. I would allow for remedial PT. It would be easy enough a program to establish, the caveat to this program would be results within a time-frame.
As an exchange for those 1-2 hours during the duty day, I would expect something in return: PT score improvement...within, say, three months. After these three months, you realize no verifiable change in PT scores, per INDIVIDUAL (because we all know that some Joes will inevitably screw up a bell curve.), cease the allowance for the soldiers who abused it. Continue it for those who achieved an appreciable increase in score.
As a Commander, it's your responsibility to set the standard, not babysit soldiers who have no interest in meeting it. Allowing freedom for improvement during duty hours is great way to gauge the seriousness of an individual in regards to their career.
Personal responsibility isn't inherent in every person. Sometimes, it must be taught and remedial training, in any form, will always benefit SOMEONE.
One of the wonders of the human body is that a soldier can be "overweight" per Army standard, and still smoke a PT test. Lifting weights is great for strength training, but not so much for endurance training. Additionally, of course, muscle is heavier than fat, so if "weight loss" is the goal, there may not be much of an appreciable difference. Cardio training should be emphasis.
Well, with the idea that given an inch, some folks will take a mile...
I'd say "Sure." I'd be proactive as a Commander. I would allow for remedial PT. It would be easy enough a program to establish, the caveat to this program would be results within a time-frame.
As an exchange for those 1-2 hours during the duty day, I would expect something in return: PT score improvement...within, say, three months. After these three months, you realize no verifiable change in PT scores, per INDIVIDUAL (because we all know that some Joes will inevitably screw up a bell curve.), cease the allowance for the soldiers who abused it. Continue it for those who achieved an appreciable increase in score.
As a Commander, it's your responsibility to set the standard, not babysit soldiers who have no interest in meeting it. Allowing freedom for improvement during duty hours is great way to gauge the seriousness of an individual in regards to their career.
Personal responsibility isn't inherent in every person. Sometimes, it must be taught and remedial training, in any form, will always benefit SOMEONE.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
Great points! You will start seeing nutritionist, PT techs, and more to a gym/unit near you! Get strong and prevent injuries! Boom profile rates drop, readiness rates increase.
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