What are your thoughts on the Army OPAT (Occupational Physical Assessment Test) to enlist in a specific MOS?

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:48:05 -0400

The OPAT is currently being evaluated at a select number of recruiting stations around the Army. It involves four physical fitness tests that together measure a future Soldier's muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, and lower body and upper body explosive power. The four tests include the standing long jump, the seated power throw, the strength dead-lift and the interval aerobic run.

Response by SFC Anthony Shaffer made Jun 7 at 2016 3:49 PM

SFC Anthony Shaffer — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:49:50 -0400

I be happy if we could get everyone coming out of AIT to pass the regular old APFT.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 3:49 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:49:54 -0400

Sure why don't we make it ever harder to join our critical skills mos's.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jun 7 at 2016 3:51 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:51:31 -0400

SFC Stephen King ,
It is my belief it is an awesome initiative to employ as no two MOS's are the same. However, it dilutes the ability to honor a set form of standards across the entire organization.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 7 at 2016 3:51 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:51:57 -0400

http://tradocnews.org/csms-blog-explaining-the-new-physical-assessment-test-for-recruits/

CSM’s Blog: Explaining the new physical assessment test for recruits » TRADOC

February 9, 2016. by TRADOC. Posted in Army Operating Concept, Army Profession, Army Warfighting Challenges, Building The Army, Developing the Army, Featured, Frontpage, Leader Development, NCO education, Soldier 2020, Straight from the CSM, TRADOC CSM, Uncategorized

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 3:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:57:27 -0400

I guess we will find out shortly which Army is physically superior. The Old Breed or the New.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 7 at 2016 3:59 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:59:09 -0400

https://youtu.be/8jO-XVetFp4

Explaining the new physical assessment test for recruits

The Occupational Physical Assessment Test, or OPAT, measures recruits' physical aptitude to perform to job standards at the end of training for the Army's mo...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 5:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:35:32 -0400

It is a ridiculous notion. A person enlisting in the Army today will not be the same after basic, nor after AIT, or even after a year of active duty.
It is one of those ideas that sound good in theory, just like the APFT sounds great in theory, but not in practice.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 5:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:37:09 -0400

How will the Army/Recruiters be protected from a law suit when and applicant drops dead? The million dollar question. I do believe it may cause the lose of some applicants that didn't play sports in HS. We know HS PE class was a joke.

Response by MSG Pedro Valentin made Jun 7 at 2016 7:47 PM

MSG Pedro Valentin — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:47:14 -0400

Due to today's enlisted it may be worth assessing physical condition which may help the individual. But, I will say if the Army retained the Basic Training of the 70s and 80s, then recruits would be fit for duty and further training. It's not an individual's physical abilities that determine success, it's more the mental and emotional adaptability than the physical. Basic training is to bring new recruits to minimum physical fitness standard. Then it is up to the NCO to ensure his or her soldiers maintain or surpass these standards.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 9:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 09:24:37 -0400

I think it is a good start to evaluating soldiers for certain positions in the military. Some jobs have a higher strength requirements so this allows us to evaluate new recruits for those jobs.

Response by SFC Wayne Theilen made Jun 9 at 2016 7:31 AM

SFC Wayne Theilen — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 07:31:47 -0400

Because we all know that Army recruiters are the best physical specimen we have to offer. Really some of those guys can't get out of their GOV. And what if they hurt someone? Or better yet grease the test so the applicant passes? We all know USAREC eats it own. If it's a roll a donut verses getting an enlistment. You do the math.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 9 at 2016 11:16 AM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:16:39 -0400

To all my former Recruiters and those putting young people in boots today understand USAREC is an will always be a business.
It's the only time in my career I got an award and a negative counseling on the same day.

That being said finding qualified applicants, Market Analysis, is now going to include this aforementioned OPAT.

Q Who remembers TEAMS_T. Guaranteed Training (not anymore) Education (changes all the time, better take advantage of it) Adventure Money (a raise of some substance is needed) and Travel (15yrs a war). The bottom line is streamlining those of get what job based on physical assessment has been needed for a long time. I volunteer to teach

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2017 3:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 May 2017 15:57:01 -0400

Any body know where Army Reservists (non-recruits, wkend drilling) may conduct the Occupational Physical Assessment Test for the purpose of MOS transfer? If not MEPS, then where/by whom?

Response by William Hayden made May 4 at 2018 7:39 PM

William Hayden — Fri, 04 May 2018 19:39:37 -0400

As a dad of a soon to ship recruit daughter who has chosen 12B, Combat Engineer, I am amazed by the lack of information regarding practical OPAT issues. I believe in the standards which slot recruits to appropriate MOS, but where are facts and recommendations for how to train for each event so those shooting for physically demanding jobs can, with enough training time, be successful. It’s been a challenge to reasonable design a program to assure her success. FYI: With 6 weeks to go she has already met standard for Shuttle Run (47), Dead Lift (165), is 3 1/2 inches short of Long Jump, and has a way to go with 2 KG Ball Throw. Ideas are welcome.