Should the PT badge have a ribbon to wear on the dress uniform?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 08:06:31 -0400

I see the PT badge worn on PT shorts and shirts. I wonder though, should those who earn one also earn at least a Physical Fitness Achievement ribbon for their dress uniform? Why or why not?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 25 at 2015 8:08 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 08:08:09 -0400

Or a Physical Fitness Excellence Ribbon

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 25 at 2015 8:12 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 08:12:41 -0400

No because to keep the patch you have meet or exceed the standard for the patch each APFT you take.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 25 at 2015 8:25 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 08:25:17 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver, we have a system in place to recognize those that score a minimum of 90 points per event and it has served well for a long time. As we transition into a more home-station type military (cutting an additional 40,000 - from the Army alone), we have other things to worry about other than adding a PT ribbon to our uniform. What's next, a Soldier breaks an arm or leg during a training mission and they get a cast ribbon?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 8:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 08:32:00 -0400

No, this is a horrible idea. We give out too many awards already. I have been able to have been awarded one but I never wanted it nor have I ever worn it. The award is your success.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 9:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 09:18:33 -0400

Sir, the physical fitness badge is a temporary award. It is meant to identify individuals among the formation who have demonstrated superior performance on the APFT. The fact that it is temporary is why it shouldn't be authorized on the dress uniform. Can you imagine having to retake a da photo just because you scored an 89 on the run?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 25 at 2015 10:14 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:14:22 -0400

No, it's not a permanent badge.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 25 at 2015 10:14 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:14:48 -0400

No. It's not necessarily appropriate

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jul 25 at 2015 10:32 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:32:29 -0400

OMG ... seriously? :-)

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 10:43 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:43:09 -0400

This is a good question and I think that it would be nice to recognized on your ASU's to go along with your PFU.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 25 at 2015 10:55 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:55:15 -0400

Please no. Please please please no.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 12:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 12:32:01 -0400

Sir, I feel that any addition to the current reg would just be a redundant duplication of effort. It's a great outside the box idea with all the people who earn the thing and not wear it to begin with it seems foolhearted. Plus it would only require soldiers (specifically junior soldiers) to spend more money then they do already. IE: soldier has an upcoming board and has to take a PT test prior to submitting his board packet to S1. Guess what? He scores 90+ In each event. But that soldier knowing that "NCOs are always squared away" or that "the SGM will definitly notice if I'm not wearing my PT Ribbon" now goes out and pretty much forced by standard but a new ribbon rack, and ribbon when his old ones served him perfectly fine. Then say he breaks an OLC while transfering the ribbons. It's all undue stress and money not well spent. In addition to the previously stated that it is a temporary badge not authorized to be carried over to te next APFT unless re awarded.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 25 at 2015 12:32 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 12:32:37 -0400

There's a problem. If you could see me now, you'd understand what it is. If they were giving out Physical Fitness Excellence Badges or Ribbons when I was physically fit and earned one, it would look ironic hanging on me today. Face it, physical fitness is its own badge and its own reward. You see someone who is physically fit, you don't need a badge or ribbon to recognize it...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 12:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 12:34:39 -0400

I don't think so because the badge is not a permanent achievement. Hypothetically speaking SPC highspeed wants to get promoted and dedicates all his free time to PT. A year after his promotion SGT highspeed loses that drive and within a year fails a PT test or goes on the overweight program. Should he still wear a ribbon? Would it be rescinded?IMO the PT badge is more of an incentive or moral booster.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 25 at 2015 2:49 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:49:06 -0400

No way. I would be against this.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jul 26 at 2015 11:03 AM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:03:33 -0400

I keep hearing the argument that it's not permanent. Many badges aren't permanent. Rifle badge, career counselor badge, infantry blue cord.... should we not have those either?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 11:11 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:11:10 -0400

No being physically fit is a job requirement and should be expected not rewarded

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 12:36 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:36:00 -0400

Uh. NO! What would be next, showing up to work ribbon? I understand if someone scores high on a fitness test to perhaps give them a certificate or maybe a day off or something like that. But a patch, badge, or ribbon, is going a bit over in my book.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 7:50 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 07:50:35 -0400

Some units already do it through policy letters that give AAMs to Joes/Janes that have consistent 300 APFT scores.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jul 28 at 2015 3:00 AM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 03:00:34 -0400

I dont see any harm in creating a ribbon for it, but if you lose the PT patch then you should removed it from the dress uniform and PT uniform as well

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 9:58 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:58:28 -0400

I think the PT badge should have a ribbon, as well as the President's 100 and the Governors twenty tabs should have a ribbon.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 11 at 2015 5:08 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:08:35 -0500

CH (MAJ) William Beaver as the APFT badge is concerned, No.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 25 at 2015 9:56 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:56:06 -0500

The thought jars my mind to to little league participation trophies. Don't do it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 4:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 16:02:36 -0500

I think I should get a badge/ribbon for showing up on time for BA every month.........

Response by SFC Daniel McIntire made Sep 14 at 2016 6:35 AM

SFC Daniel McIntire — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 06:35:07 -0400

Sir, there are few states that have a PT ribbon for their National Guard units to wear as long as that member meets criteria. Oklahoma is not one of these states. I have seen the Army Achievement Medal used for awarding achievement for any soldier achieving a 300 on the APFT.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Feb 15 at 2017 7:56 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 07:56:42 -0500

Maybe they could just wear their PT belt - it would definitely make them stand out!

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Oct 16 at 2017 12:17 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:17:17 -0400

There seem to be ribbons for just about everything anyway which adds up to too many as it is. Why an award to do something You should do anyway like stay fit ? Sound like another Participation award. Wow I didn't let My self become a complete physical wreck, I should get and award ! No I don't think so.

Response by LTC Charles Hamilton made Mar 5 at 2018 1:47 AM

LTC Charles Hamilton — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 01:47:47 -0500

Of course not! Why reward someone for performing his duty?

Response by SGT David Jones made Aug 3 at 2018 6:30 PM

SGT David Jones — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 18:30:08 -0400

Because you are in the ARMY not the Boy Scouts.

Response by SSG Sidney Dale Barnes made Aug 3 at 2018 10:54 PM

SSG Sidney Dale Barnes — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:54:50 -0400

It is not a service nor a military achievement nor valor award. It is a Physical Fitnees Award to be worn on the physical fitness uniform.

Response by SSgt Rick Scharnberg made Aug 4 at 2018 8:09 AM

SSgt Rick Scharnberg — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 08:09:49 -0400

Come on! The military gives to many ribbons as it is. I mean that gay pride flag they give for basic training, come on. You are in the military it is a given you finished Basic training, why do you need another ribbon? If you pass the PT test good for you, but why do you need a ribbon? I served with a man that had a chest full of ribbons, and I wouldn't take him to the Fairy Queen let alone in to war.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 11:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 23:00:36 -0400

Omg no

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 9 at 2018 6:46 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 18:46:34 -0400

Wait...where are you seeing it on shorts?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 7:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 19:13:30 -0400

This would be an interesting thing to see. I'm not opposed to it, maybe if it were highlighted then maybe more people would strive towards it...or maybe not.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 8:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 20:39:14 -0400

Not no.........BUT NO.

Response by SFC Sarah Garcia made Aug 25 at 2018 5:32 PM

SFC Sarah Garcia — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 17:32:45 -0400

I earned the patch 20 times, should have been able to wear on dress uniform.

Response by SFC Byron Perry made Aug 29 at 2018 5:12 PM

SFC Byron Perry — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 17:12:50 -0400

No, too much trouble as PT scores change so often

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2019 7:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 07:35:05 -0500

No sir this is terrible idea. If a ribbon was created and awarded and the Soldier doesn’t perform as well as they did to earn the award on their next APFT (or ACFT now) then they’d lose it just like this badge that we have now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2021 12:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 May 2021 12:09:25 -0400

I didn't expect you to get any support in this. I'm with you