What effect will a failed APFT, and being unable to retest due to COVID, have on my chances of getting selected for a direct commission?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 20:00:36 -0400

My Unit commander is new to the company. I asked him to write Recommendation letter for my coming Direct Commissioned board. I failed last APFT as i was not well at that time. He mentioned that APFT failure in letter. He also mentioned I was unable to give another APFT since november 2019 due to Covid restriction. Do you think thats gonna affect the in selection board? i can pass APFT now if they conduct one...Any suggestion please.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 8:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 20:29:47 -0400

Can you talk to him and ask him if he or your first shirt would be willing to give you an APFT for record and then submit it into the system and have your letter updated?
If you have a current apft failure you can and should be working with your unit to take the test and pass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 9:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 21:01:09 -0400

Pass your APFT. If your last APFT was a failure you should be flagged. Current COVID guidelines don’t preclude anyone from taking an APFT if they’re failing. With a failing APFT you shouldn’t even be considered eligible or qualified to submit a packet to the board

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 2 at 2020 9:47 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 21:47:41 -0400

1. When you failed the AFPT, that should have been a flag immediately. 2. Flag will not allow you to seek anything- commissioning, OCS, promotion, awards, etc. Until you can pass whatever test (AFPT/ACFT) you are in total limbo.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 9:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 21:50:02 -0400

Concur with SFC Boyd, you should be flagged if you failed. If flagged you are NOT eligible for any favorable action - to include commission.
You need to retest and pass before submitting a packet. Also get another letter of recommendation, the current letter would not get you accepted.
Never take someone’s word - look at the regulation and policies for yourself. You should know what the packet requires and what the board expects before submitting a packet.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 12:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 00:08:54 -0400

I'm not adding anything new here other than pointing out the pink elephant in the room. CV-19 should be a god send for those on the fence with APFT. All you have to do is PASS, and the weight of an APFT as a tie breaker for favorable schools, promotions, and commissioning has been neutralized against those with strong APFT scores.

Why aren't folks rushing to pass the APFT before the FY approaches before it becomes the ACFT?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 8:46 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 08:46:53 -0400

I agree. APFT failure, and the subsequent flagging action, means that all favorable actions for the flagged Soldier (awards, schools, promotions) are suspended as the Soldier does not meet the minimum fitness criteria.

The APFT continues to be a promotion criteria, even during COVID-19. Those who have a passing APFT are not required to take another, as their last APFT is to be used for all favorable actions.

However, those who do not have a passing APFT are required to retest. The Army is not allowing COVID-19 to be an excuse, rather, it is an obstacle that can be overcome in the administration of the APFT.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 9:16 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:16:49 -0400

Fortunately for the original poster, by regulation, Flags cannot be emplaced after three business days from the event. Someone was either lazy or "conveniently forgot" to flag the Soldier.

I agree with all who said that a failing APFT and a LOR noting that will NOT bode well for a board of any type. The board members will look at that and say "What other candidates do we have who did NOT fail the APFT?" and then the OP's application will be sh*tcanned.

OP should re-take the APFT and drive on. If you cannot score a 180 on the "old" APFT, you shouldn't be in any position of authority.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 9:23 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:23:21 -0400

You should be able to take another APFT. COVID mitigation measures don't say that you can't take the test, they say a unit can't force it at this time.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 4:51 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 16:51:53 -0400

Thank you for the quick response. Do you think recruiter can give me record APFT?? Thank you

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 11:04 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:04:10 -0400

So i request unit to give record APFt but I didn’t get any response. Today i did record Apft with recruiter and i passed all event. Do you think unit can update that score so that i won’t be flagged? Thank you