Spouse going to special pop pt

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:21:37 -0500

So a friend of mine in a different unit just called me up telling me that he just found out that one of his Soldiers who is in special pop pt is bringing his spouse. Now the spouse isn't in formation but she is standing on the side conducting the pt that is being done. Now I'm all for spouses getting in shape but I feel like this Soldier's wife should not be attending pt during the duty day with the Soldier. I feel like it is unprofessional and other Soldiers could take issue with it. My question, is there a regulation or liability issue that says your spouse can't accompany you to pt during the duty day? I tried to look it up but I have come across absolutely nothing on this. Any help would be appreciated.

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Feb 18 at 2014 3:25 PM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:25:33 -0500

How about a Commander's Policy letter. Should be as simple as that.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 18 at 2014 3:30 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:30:34 -0500

I am not aware of the Army Regs. I do not believe that there is anything in the Air Force Regs on this specific topic. I can tell you that during the Christmas Holiday, our unit had some mandatory PT for unit members (everyone in the unit that was receiving some special pass time around the holiday). The intent was to meet the requirements for duty days..... (don't ask on that one....). Ok, back to the topic at hand... The UNIT mandated that you were NOT allowed to bring children/family to PT time, subject to paperwork if you did (for not following orders).

My overall feeling is that the commander should make a determination on this. Either allow it, or don't. If it is being held at the gym, she can show up, but can not be in the area and doing the workout. she can do HER workout using gym equipment/facilities, but not "join in" for unit PT. Now, if the commander says "no problem" then I would say she should join the formation, and any other spouse/family that wants to join in may also do so.

Response by SSG Shawn M. made Feb 18 at 2014 3:31 PM

SSG Shawn M. — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:31:42 -0500

SFC, for me, this is a no go. So what next, spouses are going to want to come to the range and field cycles? While we're at it why don't we just bring them to Afghanistan with us!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 3:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:34:03 -0500

I don't thing there is a regulation or anything, but that's something I've never seen before. I'm surprised no one asked her to leave.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 18 at 2014 3:35 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:35:05 -0500

I just find this antagonism odd. My wife used to come to PT with the unit all the time. Heck, the Commander at the time loved it and encouraged participation from other spouses. It eventually turned into a quarterly event ( A spouse run/walk). FRG sponsored it and everything.

I'm just not seeing the problem...

Response by 1SG Alan Bailey made Feb 18 at 2014 4:36 PM

1SG Alan Bailey — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:36:18 -0500

Special Pop PT is not new, it has been around for along time. I don't see a problem with a spouse as long as kids are not coming. Maybe the spouse being there will motivate the Soldier to get in shape, plus we always say that we don't havve enough family time, maybe this will strength the family as well as the Soldiers body.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:36:20 -0500

I'm all for having planned bring your family to PT days every so often, but otherwise spouses just shouldn't be there. If the spouse wants to work out with the soldier, they can go to the gym together after duty hours. It potentially creates a distraction to soldiers who should be focusing solely on getting better at PT.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 30 at 2016 4:40 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 16:40:27 -0400

My MAJOR wife led several sessions as a black belt and yoga instructor- smoked our asses!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 15 at 2020 11:36 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 11:36:18 -0400

I feel many spouses don't exactly understand the difficulty of PT because no one has made them do it and managing body composition because no one has weighed and taped them (unless they are current ormprior service). Many think we just hang out at the gym and float between some machines at our discretion. They don't understand the humiliation and lack of comtrol of being taped. You get paid to go work out, We should be so lucky, right? It's a lot different when someone else controls the tempo and you have to do it. It's a lot different when someone throws that tape around you and you are screwed.

In many relationships, the non service spouse controls the food shopping and meal plannIng. They are incredible influencers. If the soldier won't do it for themselves, they'll do it for their spouse. As long as the soldier focuses on the special population and unit PT, why not? Let the spouse run a mile in those shoes. Just make it clear that focus is in the unit PT, and the spouse does so at their own risk. As SFC Michael Hasbun says, units have spouse attended PT events.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 9 at 2020 3:45 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:45:57 -0400

Nope. There is no regulation that states no spouses, family etc., that would fall under command authority/discretion. Honestly as PT is not event that is either security sensitive or safety sensitive or mission sensitive, there should be no problem with it. That said there should be a few things understood from the jump:

1)It is by Command permission even if permission is not given. It can be rescinded at any time.

2) As long as the spouse is not detrimental to the moral, welfare and good discipline of the soldier, section or unit.

3) The Spouse does not interfere with the commanding officers/NCOs instruction/guidance at PT.

4) The SM follows chain of command with his wife not being in it and it is understood she is an observer/voluntary participant but not in charge.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Sep 9 at 2020 4:05 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 16:05:25 -0400

Because of the nature of special pops I would ask if she wanted to attend regular PT. The situation does seem kinda weird unless she is some sort of fitness guru and is checking it out before offering help.