Posted on Sep 29, 2015
COL Jim Kohlmann
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TRADOC is tinkering with Basic again. Looks like they are heading in the right direction, but they are missing the boat by STILL not requiring trainees to pass the APFT. That was one of my biggest gripes as a Battalion Commander in Korea - if they can't make it in a training environment, don't pass the problem on to us in the field! What do you think? http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/09/27/these-new-tests-army-recruits-must-pass-basic-training/72754566/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=
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Responses: 17
SFC Combat Engineer
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That would be awesome sir!! There a ton of Army Reserve drill sergeants who would love to operate a program like that with the help of Recruiters. I had no idea the Marines did this.
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CPT Support Operations Transportation Officer
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Completely agree with you Sir, why would they let them leave basic without passing the APFT? Currently I have at least 4 Soldiers that either have failed it or struggle to pass it with the minimum.
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MAJ Jim Woods
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Agree with Col. Jim Kohlmann. There was a time, in th e50's - 60's - 70's when you couldn't get out of Basic without passing the PT Test. Then we got it several more times in AIT....... but.... that was in the cotton fatigue days and it was taken with BLACK LEATHER COMBAT BOOTS in the snow uphill both ways. Tennis shoes were not allowed. I am not saying either is right (I would have preferred the tenny runners).

Crap, I'm startin' to tear up just thinkin' about the good ole' days..... ROTF!
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1SG(P) 1st Sergeant
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I don't quite understand. Aside from reciting the Army Values, we had to pass ALL OF THAT in BCT in 93. Did the training requirements soften over time???
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LTC Joseph Gross
LTC Joseph Gross
10 y
Everyone thinks they attended the last hard class.
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1SG(P) 1st Sergeant
1SG(P) (Join to see)
10 y
Not at all, Sir. I heard what those before me went through and it was worse than what I did. But we did have to pass all of those things when I went through.
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SFC Combat Engineer
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10 y
It's a numbers game. You can't fail them all. It's impossible.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
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We had to pass APFT when I went through. We actually had a couple of Guys recycled to the holder over Platoon till they passed. Seen them at Campbell 4 months after I got there
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LTC Joseph Gross
LTC Joseph Gross
10 y
I think you will find that they failed to meet the 150 standard. That standard has been in place for over a decade.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
SGT Bryon Sergent
10 y
LTC Joseph Gross - Sir I Graduated Basic and AIT in 1989. I have 2 breaks in service so my new PEBD is 2000.
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LTC Joseph Gross
LTC Joseph Gross
10 y
SGT Bryon Sergent - you go back! I graduated Infantry OSUT in 1985 but stayed in until, way for it... Today. This is my last day of active duty. I barely missed OSUT with PT in boots. The reduced standard was in place when I attended. There is no telling what individual units did at the time.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
SGT Bryon Sergent
10 y
Well Sir, I was OSUT also. I was at Ft. Benning at Harmony Church. they said that we were the first low stress class. I call BS but that is beside the point. The only thing they couldn't do was Lay hands on us. We were smoked, cursed, ran, marched and slept in the field. There where night that they didn't even want to bring out the fire barrels and it was in the lower 20's. We had a couple of guys go in with cold weather injuries. We had shelter halves and an hr of PT every morning. Things that they call hazing today. We ate MRE;s in the field 2 times a day and that was hot breakfast. We ran in boots just not for PT.
Also Congratulations on the last day of active Duty. Hope it was a good and easy day. Thank you for your service and hope that you succeed in your future endeavors.
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CPT Platoon Leader
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Sir, How it was explained to me when I went through AIT that it seems to be a misconception that BCT is meant to weed people out and see who can't pass. My instructors told me that BCT was more meant to instill the discipline necessary for the Army and teach the basics and fundamentals. It was their understanding that AIT was meant to do the weeding. Those that could pass AIT should be considered fit for duty. I think the shortfall might land on AITs not properly enforcing the standards and weeding those out who can't pass. It seems that sometimes there is an "everybody is a winner" idea and that they have to work to get everyone to "pass" when really it is not their job to pass and retain people. I think there needs to be more of a focus on enforcing the standards, especially for those so new to the service, as well as more of a focus on weeding out those who are not committed enough to do what they need to to pass the courses. Leaders should be able to expect new soldiers to come in properly trained and ready to roll.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
SGT Bryon Sergent
10 y
Cadet CPT Brian Rawlins - shit sir that is the view everywhere now. Don't hurt little Johnny's feeling because he didn't get to play. Hell I had try outs. I sucked at catching in Little league. Coach worked with men and once I got it down the he threw me in the out field. If I screwed up I got yelled at but if I did good got praised. Not this crap today. Everyone gets a trophy. Everyone is NOT a winner. If you are good at what you do then great but if you SUCK you SUCK! Doesn't mean quit and give up that means you strive and try harder and come back and whip there ass!
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SSG Jamil Spruill
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I think the APFT should still be a requirement because it seems more and more injury prone or out of shape soldiers arrive at duty stations. I've seen guys with excellent physiques but they can't run more than half a mile without giving up on themselves. I do agree that is does reduce injuries before soldiers attend AIT and there is a APFT there also to verify they are in somewhat decent shape before arriving at the duty station.
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