Posted on May 30, 2015
Why doesn't the APFT have provisions for injuries incurred during the test?
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If you are taking an APFT, and roll your ankle during the run, and as a result you run slower to the finish line and fail, should this still count as a failure? I read Chapter 14 of FM 21-20 and the only mention of injuries I could find was that the injury could be annotated in comments box. I feel as thought in this scenario, the APFT test should not be counted against the injured soldier. What are your thoughts?
APFT
Injuries
FM 7-22
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
I don't think there need to be any "provisions" in any Army publication for injuries! I have seen too many Soldiers faking injuries in order to get out of the APFT. The Army publications are written the way they are in order to leave room for each commander to run their organization. All units are not created equal!
In my opinion, it goes back toward leadership. If I have anPT stud scoring 250 or higher and out of the blue they score a 181 then I will try to apply logic and figur out why. Injuries happen and are not predicatable but it's up to leaders to not be cookie cutter leaders. Writing in the comments that the Soldier sustained an injury during the APFT will give the next grader a hint. If we use the paperwork properly, then a pattern can be established for everyone!
In my opinion, it goes back toward leadership. If I have anPT stud scoring 250 or higher and out of the blue they score a 181 then I will try to apply logic and figur out why. Injuries happen and are not predicatable but it's up to leaders to not be cookie cutter leaders. Writing in the comments that the Soldier sustained an injury during the APFT will give the next grader a hint. If we use the paperwork properly, then a pattern can be established for everyone!
PV2 Walker, this can be a tough one. I'd first ask what's the difference between an injury and an "owie?" Not exactly a professional term, but one I used to ask my football players. An injury prevents you from completing the mission and is not something that feels better a day or three later. Some injuries can't be faked, while others can. When is a PT failure not a failure? When you pass your APFT with strong scores both before and after the injury. If you barely get by and suddenly have an injury on the test, it doesn't bode well for your credibility, professionalism, or Warrior Ethos.
I've seen this happen before.
Good leadership didn't hold it against the soldier (he averaged 250-270) when he was better he took another APFT.
Not so great leadership threw him (different soldier) under the bus.
Good leadership didn't hold it against the soldier (he averaged 250-270) when he was better he took another APFT.
Not so great leadership threw him (different soldier) under the bus.
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We had a PT stud dislocate his shoulder during a PT test.... Was flagged and lost his P status. Ended up having surgery, and discharged....
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How do we know they were real? Because the soldier went to the Aid Station and proper diagnosis was made.
I have also seen soldiers get injured and nothing was done to see about proper treatment/follow up, ie. they were either forced to continue injured or simply left standing there with a failed APFT.
The point about leadership is valid, but the issue remains when the leadership fails, which is why there should be a provision that addresses this situation.
Aggravating a soldier further because they are forced to continue their APFT injured is not only reckless but it demonstrates that said leadership is more concerned about hitting their numbers than taking care of their soldiers..