What happens when an APFT run route is found to be too long after the fact?

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:47:27 -0400

So this is the same track that the Soldier failed on who failed by just a few seconds. Turns out the route is 2.05 miles. That's about 80 meters too long. That can account for quite a bit of time.
So my question is...now what? Is everyone's APFT invalid? This has been the same route for years.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 5:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:58:28 -0400

Well this is just me. I would first get a wheel and mark the correct 2 mile route. Second I would give every one the opportunity to retake the APFT if they wanted to. The guy who failed by three seconds would be given ample time to recover and told this would be for record and have him retake the APFT on the correct route along with whoever wanted to retake to get an accurate score. Again that is just me.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 25 at 2014 6:08 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:08:20 -0400

Great Challenge to the PT results. So the PT test is invalid... retake for everyone who wants a second chance. Remeasure the route, redo the counselings, etc....
I wonder how many people got chaptered on that 80m.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 6:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:27:22 -0400

My question is who says it is to long? Who went out and measured it again?

The area we use for a PT test at my location is 2 laps around the block that our barracks are on. The track was measured on the white line that is what a foot and a half or so away from the curb. If you measure that same route right next to the curb it would be longer; if you measured it right in the middle of the two lane street it would be shorter.

Just looking for the facts. On who, why and how it is shorter.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 6:28 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:28:29 -0400

Semi related, but it often baffles me when during an apft,the runners get the inside lanes and the walkers are told to walk on the outside. Simple math says they are actually doing more than 2.5 mi, especially since they already have to do extra laps. This is with the same start and stop points.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 6:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:47:04 -0400

My old unit had a similar problem, except it was eighty meters too short. I was HHC Brigade, so Brigade Commander rejected the outcome and had the whole unit retest two months from then as they made an accurate new route. Those soldiers who were looked at an individual basis and were given an option to make an appointment within two weeks to retest on the new route. I'm with SGT Welsh, and those who failed be given a re do and anyone who wants to retake it for school or promotion, should be allowed to take it again.

Response by SGT Brian Watkins made Apr 25 at 2014 7:44 PM

SGT Brian Watkins — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 19:44:54 -0400

I would go on a long tirade about how nothing is perfect in life, pushing yourself...um, working out, and blah blah blah. Fair is fair, just remeasure it and hope they pass it next time. Why even bother thinking about motivating them to try harder when we can all be winners? They are obviously more concerned with the length of the track than the fact they would have barely passed that shit anyway, lol.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 25 at 2014 7:55 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 19:55:22 -0400

Well you could have been in my shoes in 1988 when my unit had an IG APFT, and the graders from the post IG had us run 9 laps on a 1/4 mile track!! Oooops, so sorry guys, luckily no one failed, but it was one of those "Are you F'n kidding me" moments!

Response by SSG Cale Luther made Apr 25 at 2014 7:59 PM

SSG Cale Luther — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 19:59:33 -0400

i would say that any failures would get a chance to retest on a VERIFIED 2 mile course

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 8:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:27:35 -0400

I have heard about that happening in a lot of units especially those that use the roads instead of the track.
In all fairness remeasure the route, and let the soldiers retake the pt test.

Response by SPC Ronald Miller made Aug 11 at 2014 9:17 PM

SPC Ronald Miller — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 21:17:55 -0400

How did the barrack's lawyer measure the track. This is a common complaint in road racing courses. Everyone has GPS and complains about the course being long. A lot depends on how you measure the course and the exact line that is run. That is only 264 extra feet. Even if this was on a track not everyone gets to run in the inside lane all the time. Anytime you deviate from the shortest way around a track you add distance to your course.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2016 5:32 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 05:32:38 -0400

We're having this conversation at my current duty station, not for a past APFT, but for one planned for Thursday. Its surprising to see 19 responses to your question but not a single doctrinal reference or reference to regulations.
AR 350-1, Paragraph G-9 m(2): A minimum of 4 months will separate record tests.
So you can't take another record APFT for four months, per the regulation.
FM 7-22, Appendix A, Paragraph A-17: There is no requirement to survey 2-mile run courses; however, selected test sites should be free of significant hazards such as traffic, slippery road surfaces, and areas where heavy pollution is present.
So the Army is ok with your unit using a track that ends up being 2.05 miles. Close enough is close enough, according to the Army.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 20 at 2016 1:43 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:43:57 -0400

Clock their 80 meter dash time and subtract that from their run time. (kidding)
I think in actuality, though 80 meters probably didn't make much difference, they should be given the opportunity to re-take the APFT. Not just the run, though. Part of passing is passing all three events in series.