Should Command teams allow soldiers to have the ability to go to the gym 1-2 hours prior to the end of day formation

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.

They can. It is up to their leadership.

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.

To me it a good idea but you know people will sham off and that a reason why they dont allow this.

I No in every command that I was in, you checked out with either the chief petty officer of the first sergeant and then went to the gym called when you got there and called him when you left. My chief actually give me an extra weekend off because I did that every day for like four months

It's a great idea as long as all the works are done for the day and the Soldier can be found where he/she says that he/she will be. I do not like to waste Soldiers time. If you are done for the day, I would you rather be working on some correspondence courses, your civilian education, or hit the gym instead sitting in from of the computer passing time

Depends on your chain of command and mission requirements. I say if your sitting around doing nothing, then yes.

In a perfect world my job would consist of; Gym, food, desk work, food, training that reminds you that you are a Soldier so you can feel like a Soldier everyday, then lastly hang out with my family... Rinse and repeat

Great idea! I do it all the time, and it makes my life satisfaction much better. My guys across the Brigade make it work too, just time management, you're a smart fella, I bet you could make it work!

If you are busy doing your mission, there shouldn't be enough time to go to the gym prior to the end of the day formation!