CPT Benjamin Faw 2090 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In my own experience (Army only) I saw every leader &quot;talk the talk&quot; about PT (Physical Training) being the first thing on the calendar and the last item to come off the calendar - however reality was a different story. More often than not PT would vanish in the place of everything from inspections to urine testing. While this may have changed since I left service, I have always wondered what others thought as we see warfare evolve, does PT really matter enough to be first on the schedule and last off? 2013-10-30T15:12:33-04:00 CPT Benjamin Faw 2090

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In my own experience (Army only) I saw every leader &quot;talk the talk&quot; about PT (Physical Training) being the first thing on the calendar and the last item to come off the calendar - however reality was a different story. More often than not PT would vanish in the place of everything from inspections to urine testing. While this may have changed since I left service, I have always wondered what others thought as we see warfare evolve, does PT really matter enough to be first on the schedule and last off?

2013-10-30T15:12:33-04:00 2013-10-30T15:12:33-04:00 Capt Jason Minnich 2333

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Maybe not first on the schedule and last off, but it needs to be on the schedule.&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;What I see often in the AF is leaders that don&#39;t want issues. They give the squeaky wheel the grease, help out those that are struggling, and then once they are passing, stop caring about PT and refocus on the mission.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The problem with this approach is the mission should include PT if for no other reason than it will keep medical costs down, increase esprit de corps, and often actually increases productivity because it gives people added energy as a jump start to ones day.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Personally, I have never been in a leadership position, but I can say those commanders that made PT a priority and cared to come out and do it with their unit, really motivated me to be better in all aspects of my service.&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-01T11:06:04-04:00 2013-11-01T11:06:04-04:00 CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member 2341

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I do agree that PT should not get interfered with, but that’s not always the case. I have read many stories, posts, and blogs from the civilian side, that states PT should be done early and every day. That’s what great leaders do and I agree. Get it done and the rest of the day will be great.

2013-11-01T12:27:00-04:00 2013-11-01T12:27:00-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 3473

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I understand why PT is sometimes cut from the mornings due to unforeseen circumstances, but it should NEVER be stripped from the schedule. There's always time in the day to make this happen, whether it's a short brutal PT session before lunch, or a way to close out the day. Either way - it's a condition of employment, and a way to stay in the shape you're required to - don't kill it from the schedule.

2013-11-05T09:32:56-05:00 2013-11-05T09:32:56-05:00 SPC William K Wrytght 3644

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>when I was in germany, we had PT every morning, then a good 2 mile run, unless weather was bad then we didnt do it<br>

2013-11-05T19:16:43-05:00 2013-11-05T19:16:43-05:00 CPT Benjamin Faw 3973

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Thanks for the comments and ideas. I saw a few different "leadership methods" applied to this challenge both in garrison and abroad. From a unit cohesion and unit readiness perspective (and pure discipline) I think some form of physical training at the start of the day is best. In combat the timing and size of the team training together has to shift and leaders must use creativity and good judgement to balance welfare and safety (in my opinion).

2013-11-06T14:18:40-05:00 2013-11-06T14:18:40-05:00 CW3 Menough Randall 4306

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><br /><br /><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal">My experience was everything (I mean everything) came before<br />a soldier/NCO knowing how to do their actual Job. They worried about getting a<br />soldier to pass BASIC/AIT with training everything from Sexual Harassment,<br />sensitivity to others, PT, Common tasks, ect: But when IT came to doing their<br />MOS, it was far and in-between a soldier knew how to do their MOS without major<br />re-training. Why do you think they got rid of the Skills Qualification Test (SQT)<br />or the Skills Determination Test (SDT)? <br />For those who know nothing about this one you used to have to take this<br />test yearly and the score was part of your yearly evaluation.</p><br /><br />

2013-11-07T11:38:51-05:00 2013-11-07T11:38:51-05:00 CW3 Private RallyPoint Member 5507

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would love to tell you that your skills from the military would transfer over but that would be lying to you - learn management - a heck of a lot different from leading - if your cannot manage then you will be behind your peers.  Take classes from Belvoir or online if you can.

2013-11-11T20:17:57-05:00 2013-11-11T20:17:57-05:00 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 57463

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My complaint about PT wasn&#39;t that it wasn&#39;t done.&amp;nbsp; It&#39;s that the schedule was too rigid.&amp;nbsp; I could never figure out what is so goddamn important at 0900 in garrison that an Infantryman absolutely has to be in formation.&amp;nbsp; I&#39;d often ask, &quot;Why don&#39;t we have an extended session of PT and just have formation at 0930 or 1000.&amp;nbsp; We have nothing else on the schedule today.&quot;&amp;nbsp; No one could answer that.&amp;nbsp; PT wasn&#39;t the most important event of the day.&amp;nbsp; Formations were.&amp;nbsp; BTW I do know of one PLT SGT who stated at a promotion board that D&amp;amp;C was the most important aspect of PT; not conditioning, but D&amp;amp;C.&lt;br&gt;

2014-02-14T18:17:09-05:00 2014-02-14T18:17:09-05:00 1SG Jeffery Bertram 57522

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It didn't bother me as much seeing PT not get done because of other "more important" things but now that I am the senior guy in my unit I look across my formation in a much different way. I know the pain of falling short with the knowledge that more training would have prevented the failure and I don't want that for my joes. I want them to be physically tough and competent. That can only happen by making PT and realistic training a priority. Still, easier said than done.

2014-02-14T19:33:02-05:00 2014-02-14T19:33:02-05:00 COL Private RallyPoint Member 58558

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We spend a lot of time talking about exercise while totally missing the importance of nutrition - y&lt;font color=&quot;#4d4d4d&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 14px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);&quot;&gt;ou can greatly undermine weight loss&amp;nbsp;efforts and general health by not considering the quality of the foods&amp;nbsp;you eat. It is important to consider calorie density and nutrient density of foods to maximize exercise performance and&amp;nbsp;improve health status.&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;

2014-02-16T19:21:26-05:00 2014-02-16T19:21:26-05:00 1SG Michael Blount 96185

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sir - whenever I&#39;m in doubt, I refer to Paragraph Four of the Drill Sergeant Creed &quot;I will lead by example, never requiring a Soldier to perform a task I would not do myself.&quot;&amp;nbsp; That includes PT, and if a leader is blowing it off, s/he ought to just return his/her latest promotion and give the command to somebody who gives a damn.

2014-04-07T21:24:38-04:00 2014-04-07T21:24:38-04:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 112845

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Being National Guard, PT is the first thing cut out of the Training Schedule due to time allowance for training on a weekend or 2 week AT. Therefore, the first thing I talk about with my Soldiers is Self Discipline. Self Discipline because that is what it comes down to. There is no one there to make me do PT, no one there to watch I eat. In the Guard, we still need to meet the standards,we have a Fat Boy program/monthly weigh ins for the no-gos. And I always here excuses, &quot;I work shift work, I have kids, bla blah blah.&quot; &quot;I&quot; work shift work, I have a kid, and a wife and house that needs maintanance, yet I can out perform most of my troops at 31. I am not the fastest, or the strongest, but I am consistent. I comsistently range in 75-85% for my age group depending on the season when I take an APFT, how hard I ve been working out prior to, what shift I am on at work(I&#39;m a CO on civilian side). But I am am consistant and I REFUSE to let my troops see me fail.<br /><br />I will talk nutriotion, but I am no expert and I do not consider my self a health nut. I am on a &quot;See food Diet&quot; I see food, I eat it. But we do discuss, habits such as ; Brown Baggin it vs Fast Food and ating 4-6x a day to up metabolism.<br /><br />I then recommend workouts. I had a Sodleier who majored in Phys Ed. He wrote a nutrition plan and a work out plan. I still have it give this a something for Soldiers to start with. I recommend Bodybuilding.com for workout/Diet plans based on individual needs. As for Running, I tell Sodiers to just go do it and not on a treadmill.<br />Last, I recommend investing in the TRX system for the ability to workout at home or take it with you anywheres I recommend it because I personally use it.<br /><br />Now I have given all you some ideas, spread the wealt, no excuses now!

2014-04-27T12:15:09-04:00 2014-04-27T12:15:09-04:00 Sgt Russell Whited 6342103

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>‘P t is the first thing.Too see what you are made of ??

2020-09-24T18:22:22-04:00 2020-09-24T18:22:22-04:00 2013-10-30T15:12:33-04:00