What if the Army rated your physical ability like it rated your ASVAB scores and certain MOS's were open to you based on your PT Score?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:20:58 -0500

Do you think that system of rating would work for the Army a lot better or do you think it would not make a difference?

To elaborate; say the physical score based on today's PT scoring system required for say an 11B (infantryman) was 240 points minimum and another example would be a 42A (Human Resources Specialist) and you would need a minimum physical ability score of 180 or the Army's minimum standards, due to the fact that some MOS's are not as physically taxing.

Do you think that adding an initial physical rating test along with the ASVAB to determine your eligibility for that job could work and would be a GREAT deciding factor while at the same time getting the right type of people in a certain MOS in the first place.

I think it could possibly save a lot of money for the Army training wise and make overly ambitious future soldiers think twice and oped for an MOS they are better suited to and can physically handle. Also, it could make future soldiers take the Army more seriously and step up to the challenge to better themselves and get ready for this career and lifestyle that they want to sign up for.

What is your opinion?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2014 3:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:40:17 -0500

I could see using it as a disqualifier. Such as you need to have a 240 to be IN.

Response by SPC Dan Goforth made Feb 7 at 2014 4:18 PM

SPC Dan Goforth — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:18:24 -0500

My opinion is that you are right, overall physical fitness should be taken into account before you let someone sign for one of the physically taxing MOS. I think you would actually need to set the pre-accession standard lower for prospective recruits. When I went through OSUT (12B at Leonard Wood) there were only a handful of privates that could actually pass to army standards out the gate, but most of us scored well over 240 by the end of 14 weeks.

Letting someone go infantry whom can barely do 10 pushups is a mistake, though. If someone can't score at least a 40-40-40 pre-accession, then send them somewhere other than the physically demanding side.

Response by CPT Marc Serrá made May 18 at 2014 11:01 PM

CPT Marc Serrá — Sun, 18 May 2014 23:01:07 -0400

Two issues with this:

1. Recruits...as stated in previous responses, many are not in shape at all when they arrive to BCT and would be able to make the grade by the time they finish AIT/OSUT.

2. Injuries....what happens when an infantry SFC gets injured and can no longer meet that requirement....reclass? At least now, Soldier in question could move to a training slot and impart his tremendous knowledge.

Overall, the idea has merit, but definitely has some bugs to work out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2014 4:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:17:36 -0400

Doing an entry PT test should not be a determining factor for MOS selection. However it could provide an additional factor for recruiters to look at when offering jobs. Coming into the Army I could have easily passed a 240 minimum, but I was a tri-sport athlete and in pretty good shape. Many recruits are not in such good shape, but BCT allows them to get up to the Army standards. So rather an entry PT test should be s factor in choosing a primary and secondary MOS. For instance I want to be Infantry, but if I cannot meet the requirements by the end of the BCT portion of OSUT, I have to choose a secondary MOS to change over to. This was the Army does not lose money and time training me for 12 weeks, and can still use me in another MOS which is not as physically demanding.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made May 21 at 2015 5:23 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Thu, 21 May 2015 05:23:16 -0400

Everyone should adhere to the same physical fitness standards. The Army would do well to adopt the USMC's concept that everyone, regardless of MOS should be proficient as a basic rifleman. You might be a Remington Raider but you may be needed to pull perimeter security and go on patrol.