What are some ways to help motivate ARNG soldiers who failed their PT test to pass their next one?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 23:09:52 -0400

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Mar 14 at 2020 11:13 PM

SrA Ronald Moore — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 23:13:33 -0400

Pass this on!!!

Response by SGM Robert Murray made Mar 14 at 2020 11:45 PM

SGM Robert Murray — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 23:45:59 -0400

If they aren't self motivated. . .discharge.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Mar 15 at 2020 8:31 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 08:31:08 -0400

Send one packing - the one with multiple flaws and failures, make the General Discharge their failure to pass their PT test as the final reason why they're gone. All the others that can be motivated will begin to toe the line. (For the Montgomery GI Bill program or Post-9/11 GI Bill program, you need an honorable discharge.)
Those that can't be inspired will leave or grudgingly improve and your graders had better not be a part of their 'good old boy' network.
Of course this method only works if the unit's leadership aren't a total bunch of loser, fat, pudgy chairborne rangers.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2020 10:09 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 10:09:04 -0400

Little thing called the law.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 15 at 2020 4:25 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 16:25:02 -0400

The regs, the fact that a chap is hanging over them, the fact that if they can pass, then they have failed. Pick one.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 8:58 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:58:48 -0400

You only have your Soldier's for a couple days a month and AT, you're not going to be able to force compliance, you have to use positive motivation to build commitment. Make it clear to your Soldier's that you're on their team and want to build them up to be successful. Set goals, realistic goals, if they are nowhere near passing in March they aren't likely to be passing in April, set goals that build on themselves 5-10 point improvement per month. Offer simple achievable workouts that can get them to passing with minimal time investment. Once they are passing continue to give improvement goals, and conduct diagnostic PT tests every few months, do not let off the gas or they will more then likely return to failing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 10:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:49:02 -0400

Put a cheeseburger at the finish line of the 2 mile run!!!!!!!! hahahaha

Response by CPT Gail Davis made Mar 16 at 2020 9:46 PM

CPT Gail Davis — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 21:46:08 -0400

Assign PT for homework; Return with proof of doing it, ie: video, running log, etc. and let them leave 1 hr early Sunday prior to COB. Have them do extra PT until they pass.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 19 at 2020 1:21 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 13:21:42 -0400

In my opinion, you can't. If there is an issue such as an injury, and the SM has the desire but just needs some help to work around the limitation, then there is a possibility providing instruction and guidance from competent professionals will help. The best thing to do is flagging, remedial PT, and provide guidance they could use between drills. But, in reality, motivation and discipline are an individual thing and if they won't do what is necessary, then the ball is in their court and the responsibility is on them. Seeing the flagging action through to separation will drive the message home to others in that situation, and those close to being in that situation, they better get their act together. good soldier otherwise or not, the most effective thing to do is to enforce the standards.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 19 at 2020 1:57 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 13:57:40 -0400

If you or another (willing) Soldier live close enough, encourage a "workout accountability buddy" scenario. Almost all humans are more likely to do a task (go to the gym, show up for work, shower, you name it) if they know someone will be there checking on them. By having a workout buddy, it makes it 10x harder to make excuses not to go today. Now you dont just have to tell yourself you are too tired/busy/whatever, you have to tell someone else. It makes a TON of difference. Especially in a scenario like AR/NG where 1SG isn't holding formation everyday and asking pointed questions about who isn't doing PT and why not. (Which is essentially 1SG acting as EVERYONE'S workout accountability buddy.)