The SMA said we need to get the Army back in shape. Should the APFT be the top priority?

2015-10-07T19:24:21-04:00

http://www.armytimes.com/story/defense/show-daily/ausa/2015/10/07/sma-weve-got-get-army-back-shape/73496346/

Response by SFC Stephen King made Oct 7 at 2015 7:47 PM

2015-10-07T19:47:35-04:00

Pt. To be physically tough one must be mentally tough as well. In my 20+ years of service physical training has been my stress relief, motivation and direction.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-10-07T21:14:47-04:00

This seems like a "no brainer." Soldiers should be able to pass an APFT (granting qualifications for profiles and other exceptions). I'm honestly less concerned with height/weight than simple PT scores.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-10-07T23:54:35-04:00

I don't think it's necessarily the APFT, but more about professional appearance and being physically capable of leading your Soldiers. On that point, I wonder why Officers are never mentioned in articles like these. Our fitness levels and appearances are probably worse than the NCOs and Soldiers the SMA likes to point out.