Squad Leader
Squad Leader
Posted on Jul 11, 2018
Army Combat Fitness Test set to become new PT test of record in late 2020
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SSG
S3 Operations NCO
Platoon Sergeant
Squad Leader
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Posted 6 y ago
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I took this new test this past weekend and I have to admit that I enjoyed it. I liked the pace and how it actually built some esprit de corps while others were taking the test. What I liked about it is it actually measured your overall fitness which is something the regular APFT does not do. I understand they're still in the phased approach with the test but this will be a better way for a commander to gauge the fitness of their formations. What I think the Army needs to figure out is how they're going to score this (MOS vs Unit). I love the fact that it's gender and age neutral. There were several comments from the females about the run time (they supposedly lost minutes while the males gained minutes) and they were quite vocal about it. One soldier replied that it was equality they wanted and now they're complaining about it.
There will be some growing pains with this test but this is truly a positive step in the right direction for the Army's physical testing program. Now that they have a decent one in place, it's the implementation that will be paramount.
There will be some growing pains with this test but this is truly a positive step in the right direction for the Army's physical testing program. Now that they have a decent one in place, it's the implementation that will be paramount.
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Below is what I commented on the actual article on the Modern War Institute at West Point's initial posting (https://mwi.usma.edu/good-bad-armys-new-physical-fitness-test/)
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How do I get my Field Artillery Battalion into the trial of this?
I have said that with all things being equal – all things are not equal when it comes to the Army Physical Fitness Test. When females were allowed into the Combat Arms, I wondered how it would be treated if they could not do the same physical requirements as I demand on the men (think lifting 20-30 155mm rounds during a resupply). To be honest, there were males that couldn't complete the requirements. I have some questions though:
1: Why have it be based on a points scale? Why not have it as a go/no go process or make it 3 different grade points like an NCOER – FAILED, Standard (because we train to a standard right?), Excelled.
2: What happens when someone holds more than one MOS? Are they tested on the more stringent requirements? They should be. If someone holds the MOS of 11 or 13 – I would want them to be able to achieve the same "Standard" for Combat Arms. THEN maybe we will be used in our job skill by the Defense Department.
3: With the National Guard and Reserve's comprising of 49-51% of the force, has anyone thought about how the lack of training resources would be directly proportionate to their overall scores? Currently, members of the Active Component get time in the day to conduct physical fitness with a dietitian, free gym membership and free medical. Members of the RC who work a regular profession and complete military duties on the side (sometime for fun of comraderie as Infantry and Artillery) that must pay for gym memberships and health-care and actually lose money to attend their drill. There is no Free anything in the civilian side and the "old" APFT would allow soldiers to complete their "workout" with no additional resources. This new system, while functionally better, places a whole lot more burden on the RC service member. Think of it like when they did away with "Common Core" and went to the SSD system. For an AC Soldier, this is no big deal but for a RC Soldier, this adds a much larger burden and takes MORE time away from family without compensation and the only comment is: "If they want to get promoted (now if they want to stay in the military or be a leader) than they will take the extra time." This does not compute for someone that works 50-60 hours a week with a wife and multiple children.
4: Will weather be included into the testing? While some may say there is no difference between a 0 degree and a 100 degree day OR a nice warm day after an 18 hour training day (Field people) and flying in sideways hitting you in the face rain.
5: How will Physical Profiles work for this? I have had back surgery from deployments and being a stupid artilleryman in my youth so how would a physical profile be measures and will people be exempt? Would exemptions cause non-leadership selections until Soldier has meet "Standard"? Would males and females that don't meet "standard" for their MOS be required to re-class after so many attempts in a given year or two year period?
These are some questions that I have with multiple more stirring round my head with the more that I read. I do want my Field Artillery Battalion (The Great State of Indiana) into this testing phase for it is the way of the future.
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How do I get my Field Artillery Battalion into the trial of this?
I have said that with all things being equal – all things are not equal when it comes to the Army Physical Fitness Test. When females were allowed into the Combat Arms, I wondered how it would be treated if they could not do the same physical requirements as I demand on the men (think lifting 20-30 155mm rounds during a resupply). To be honest, there were males that couldn't complete the requirements. I have some questions though:
1: Why have it be based on a points scale? Why not have it as a go/no go process or make it 3 different grade points like an NCOER – FAILED, Standard (because we train to a standard right?), Excelled.
2: What happens when someone holds more than one MOS? Are they tested on the more stringent requirements? They should be. If someone holds the MOS of 11 or 13 – I would want them to be able to achieve the same "Standard" for Combat Arms. THEN maybe we will be used in our job skill by the Defense Department.
3: With the National Guard and Reserve's comprising of 49-51% of the force, has anyone thought about how the lack of training resources would be directly proportionate to their overall scores? Currently, members of the Active Component get time in the day to conduct physical fitness with a dietitian, free gym membership and free medical. Members of the RC who work a regular profession and complete military duties on the side (sometime for fun of comraderie as Infantry and Artillery) that must pay for gym memberships and health-care and actually lose money to attend their drill. There is no Free anything in the civilian side and the "old" APFT would allow soldiers to complete their "workout" with no additional resources. This new system, while functionally better, places a whole lot more burden on the RC service member. Think of it like when they did away with "Common Core" and went to the SSD system. For an AC Soldier, this is no big deal but for a RC Soldier, this adds a much larger burden and takes MORE time away from family without compensation and the only comment is: "If they want to get promoted (now if they want to stay in the military or be a leader) than they will take the extra time." This does not compute for someone that works 50-60 hours a week with a wife and multiple children.
4: Will weather be included into the testing? While some may say there is no difference between a 0 degree and a 100 degree day OR a nice warm day after an 18 hour training day (Field people) and flying in sideways hitting you in the face rain.
5: How will Physical Profiles work for this? I have had back surgery from deployments and being a stupid artilleryman in my youth so how would a physical profile be measures and will people be exempt? Would exemptions cause non-leadership selections until Soldier has meet "Standard"? Would males and females that don't meet "standard" for their MOS be required to re-class after so many attempts in a given year or two year period?
These are some questions that I have with multiple more stirring round my head with the more that I read. I do want my Field Artillery Battalion (The Great State of Indiana) into this testing phase for it is the way of the future.
The Good and the Bad of the Army’s New Physical Fitness Test - Modern War Institute
After years of study, experimentation, and pilot testing across the force, the Army appears to have settled on a new physical fitness test—the Army Combat Readiness Test, or ACRT. This new six-event test will keep the two-mile run from the current Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), but scraps the push-ups and sit-ups in favor of …
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SSG Steven Borders
1SG (Join to see) 1SG these are great questions. I was wondering the same thing about the Reserves. There is a huge difference from Active Duty to Reserves or NG. I know I was active and am now I am in the Reserves and was just thinking the other day how they plan to incorporate this into the Reserve side.
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CW2 Michael Bodnar
1SG....great questions! I'm sure the Army has thought through all of this already - sense the sarcasm? As a Guardsman, I wholeheartedly agree with you WRT the lack of resources available to us. I'm fortunate enough to live near Army bases and can get to the gym to reap the same benefits that my AC brothers and sisters have. I think the challenges moving forward is that not only does this replace the APFT but I can see it replacing or enhancing PRT. I'll be honest in saying that I cannot stand PRT and look at it as a punishment. I understand it provides a standard but quite frankly, it doesn't do much in preparing me for the APFT. I have a feeling the implementation of this is going to be a nightmare at best.
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Personally, is the right move for the future Army.
With change there's always resistance, but I'm an advocate of performance or tactical base physical fitness, and this is the right move.
If anything, Tactical athlete/soldier should be able mimic the movement patterns of the deadlift, squat, overpressing, and pull up. These movements carried over to a lot of our Warrior Task and Drills.
Lastly, the excuse of injuries due to age 8s an excuse. The body will breakdown eventually by doing the small task because we have decondition the body for many years. It's time for leader to step their game and get more serious about physical readiness.
With change there's always resistance, but I'm an advocate of performance or tactical base physical fitness, and this is the right move.
If anything, Tactical athlete/soldier should be able mimic the movement patterns of the deadlift, squat, overpressing, and pull up. These movements carried over to a lot of our Warrior Task and Drills.
Lastly, the excuse of injuries due to age 8s an excuse. The body will breakdown eventually by doing the small task because we have decondition the body for many years. It's time for leader to step their game and get more serious about physical readiness.
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CW2 Michael Bodnar
I'm a fan of constant improvement and ultimately a fan of something like this happening. This will cause a ripple affect throughout the Army (all compos) and it will force units to look at the way they conduct PRT as well. The only hold up I have with doing this is that if the evaluators become to fixated on proper movements through the exercises (think of PRT) and not focus on completion of the event. I've watched that video a few times and I see the participants with knife hands and turning certain ways - I just hope the Army doesn't harp on proper form. I agree with everyone on this thread that the grumblings will commence because people just cannot accept change, especially after 30 plus years of the same PT test.
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