Should Physical Training be the first event on the training schedule?

CPT Benjamin Faw — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:12:33 -0400

In my own experience (Army only) I saw every leader "talk the talk" 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?

Response by Capt Jason Minnich made Nov 1 at 2013 11:06 AM

Capt Jason Minnich — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 11:06:04 -0400

Maybe not first on the schedule and last off, but it needs to be on the schedule. <div>What I see often in the AF is leaders that don'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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div>

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2013 12:27 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 12:27:00 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2013 9:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 09:32:56 -0500

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.

Response by SPC William K Wrytght made Nov 5 at 2013 7:16 PM

SPC William K Wrytght — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:16:43 -0500

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

Response by CPT Benjamin Faw made Nov 6 at 2013 2:18 PM

CPT Benjamin Faw — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:18:40 -0500

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).

Response by CW3 Menough Randall made Nov 7 at 2013 11:38 AM

CW3 Menough Randall — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:38:51 -0500

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

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2013 8:17 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 20:17:57 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2014 6:17 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:17:09 -0500

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

Response by 1SG Jeffery Bertram made Feb 14 at 2014 7:33 PM

1SG Jeffery Bertram — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:33:02 -0500

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.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 7:21 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 19:21:26 -0500

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

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 7 at 2014 9:24 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:24:38 -0400

Sir - whenever I'm in doubt, I refer to Paragraph Four of the Drill Sergeant Creed "I will lead by example, never requiring a Soldier to perform a task I would not do myself."  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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 12:15 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:15:09 -0400

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, "I work shift work, I have kids, bla blah blah." "I" 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'm a CO on civilian side). But I am am consistant and I REFUSE to let my troops see me fail.

I will talk nutriotion, but I am no expert and I do not consider my self a health nut. I am on a "See food Diet" 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.

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.
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.

Now I have given all you some ideas, spread the wealt, no excuses now!

Response by Sgt Russell Whited made Sep 24 at 2020 6:22 PM

Sgt Russell Whited — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 18:22:22 -0400

‘P t is the first thing.Too see what you are made of ??