Army National Guard soldiers anxious over new PT test, gear shortfalls

I have voiced concern over lack of parity with this test among the components before, and I will repeat it again. Full time Soldiers will have opportunities to train in these events without cost to the individual and they will have much more access to the equipment needed. "...Every gym in America has a 10-lb medicine ball." Not every Soldier has access to a gym, or the funding to pay for a membership which may, may, provide the equipment that AD Component Soldiers will eventually have unfettered access to.

I have a membership at a neighborhood recreation center and have some of the things. But it is a small facility and does not have the space for practicing throwing a ball over my head. It does not have a sled or a hexagon bar.

I am glad the test period will include all the components. We will see how the issues shake out over the next few months.

Guess someone failed to account for just an few small details! I don’t care how much effort they put but history says that the reserve component is about to get screwed. Again!!!

Back to the three event APFT. Have to admit the NG put it to GEN Miley in this article. No fluff straight facts. It will be an issue when dealing with long commutes with the Guard and Reserve units. “We’re going to get you the equipment. It’s going to get distributed to the force, but don’t wait. I guess I’m stomping my feet. Do. Not. Wait," Milley said. “This test is hard.”.....this is where you pre-stage equipment and focus on getting as many troops to said equipment before running the gums on implementation. If the AD units don't have it, more than likely the Guard and Reserve units won't get it. It's a BS pecking order that screws the weekend folks. If you expect Joe to train on something, Joe should already have the gear and equipment required to do the task. This only sets someone up for failure. MACOMS don't always have their own weapons, so they borrow from other units that might be NG/Reserve. Are they going to partner up and do this train and test thing? GEN Miley isn't a stupid man, but in this one case (outside of the PV2 he said was one some secret squirrel type mess), he should've known to have things pre-staged so the "train-the-trainer" is already there, and the unit trainers can maintain proficiency with the equipment being it IS there to use. Unless there is a magic wand solution already in the making, this will lead to command teams going up the chain telling their superiors they cannot make mission, and they'll have a damn good reason why. Three event APFT anyone?