Posted on Apr 6, 2014
SFC MLRS Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist
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If you were allowed to select individuals that work for you, which quality would lend more weight to your decision. &nbsp;&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Would you rather have a Service member that knows all the ins and outs of their specialty but is mediocre at physical fitness or a Service Member that excels in physical fitness but is mediocre at their job.</div>
Posted in these groups: Logo no word s Fitness8d41fc0 Proficiency8467f417 Competence
Edited 12 y ago
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PV2 Team Member
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I have just recently joined, in fact I've only been at my first duty station for about two weeks now. I'm just putting this out but i'm a lazy individual so I just happened to be browsing facebook and found this. In my opinion I think both should be a priority, but as I have seen most of what has been said, I also lean more towards MOS/Job proficiency. I barely pass my push-ups and sit-ups, and get around a 70% in my run, and I know that I need to work on it and I am. Though since I am Como. I know that our job is way more important than being a "Pt Stud". I also agree that if we are on the battlefield that being both would be a great asset, i'm sure you want them to know how to react during a fire fight as well as not to be just an out of shape, overweight individual that you have to try and drag around. I would like to make this a career , stay in 20+ years and become a CW5 in Networking with a 300+ pt score, but I can't achieve that when I have someone in charge of me that thinks I need to be a "Pt Stud" before my MOS. All in all I believe that we should be more worried about our knowledge in our respective MOS' than being "fitter than fit". 
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SSG Retired
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Job proficiency 100%. A person will figure out how to run for a record high score from a bad situation like a baby learns to breath right after being born. I have never personally been involved in a situation that would mean life or death while in the military but I would assume when being shot at the number of push ups and sit-ups you did that morning don't really matter. In fact I will leave it to the words of Ron White "It isn't *that* the wind is blowin'. It's *what* the wind is blowin'. If you get hit by a *Volvo*, it don't matter how many sit-ups you did that mornin'." 
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CPT Battery Commander
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"Sweat saves blood, blood save lives, but brains saves both" - Erwin Rommel

Physical fitness is important for the overall health and longevity of a soldier, but How good they are at their job is far more important. Look at our own leadership model. Pt score counts, but it pales in comparison to your ability to think, manage, and lead. Leadership comes from being able to strategize, to overcome, to apply critical thinking skills to the situation. Push-ups, sit-ups and running are the last thing that will help you if you need to think your way out of a bad situation. The army's mentality of physical fitness being the universal measuring stick for what makes a good soldier/leader is just plain ridiculous.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
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As MSQ Quick said, I prefer a well-rounded soldier.
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SGT Journeyman Plumber
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Why not both?<div><br></div><div>*cue Mexican music*</div>
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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Physical Fitness is nice and important but I am a Navy Spook, Tactical Intelligence Communications Man. If I need to get a message to the President or National Seurity Council double time fast I need someone with technical prowess. I need someone that can think of all the communications available and their pros and cons.
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SGT Senior Warrior Liaison
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Work Ethic. That is all.
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
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Edited 12 y ago
SSG Boze, great question, and for me personally it is a very simple answer, the quality is integrity, with a focus on the ability to achieve consistent quality results. Of course the ability to bounce back from and process failure into worthwhile L2, mentoring, and subsequent success is IMHO quite noteworthy as well.
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