APFT integration window after PCS?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:16:01 -0400

Been in PLT for 2 weeks. I am to take a APFT tmrw. I need a little more insight on the integration window for SM who have just pcs'd. Ive looked at 7-22 however just ont really understand it due to that block being kinda vague

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 4:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:18:05 -0400

You should always be ready for APFT. The urban legends of having a certain ammount of time once you PCS are just that. Urban Legends and/or unit courtesy.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 4:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:40:37 -0400

Deployment has a delay before you can be made to take a record PFT - 90 days I think? As for PCS, I've been let off a few times if I was still in cycle because of moving, etc. But that was at command discretion. I believe each record PFT is good for 8 months - but I also think command can request you take it at any time unless you just returned from deployment.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 5:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:08:37 -0400

Generally speaking most units allow 30 days for acclimatization from what I understand.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 8:49 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 20:49:59 -0400

Try coming up to Ft. Carson, the altitude is no joke coming from lower Alabama!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 11:59 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 23:59:32 -0400

Look at their PCS orders, does it say

"You are responsible for reporting to your next duty station in satisfactory physical condition, able to pass the army physical fitness test and meet height/weight standards in accordance with AR 600-9"

I'm willing to bet it does. Any "buffer" zone that is given would be based off unit policies, or at the discretion of the Commander. If the Soldier is brand new out of IET they still take the APFT, they just cannot be flagged for failing it until they hit 12 months TIS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 12:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 00:44:59 -0400

They way I look at it, we're NCOs. We should not have to be told that it is our responsibility to maintain our physical fitness and body composition. Fitness is a part of the job and our culture. It's a basic Soldier responsibility.

That being said, I agree with SGT(P) Robida's statement of local unit policy. We generally give our new Soldiers a 90-day window before requiring them to take an APFT, unless it's a unit-wide event (in which case they take a diagnostic). AR 350-1 requires one twice per year. If you're looking for more information on the actual requirement for taking the fitness test, AR 350-1 is a better place to start than FM 7-22. I covers unit and individual requirements.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 8:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:22:51 -0400

Yes, your unit Commander can order you to do a an APFT for DIAGNOSTIC if you've passed a for record APFT less than 8 months ago. Per AR 350-1, the for record APFT window is 8 to 14 months after getting a passing APFT. If a Soldier fails a for record, then the Soldier gets four months until his next APFT.

Heard too many stories of Soldiers failing back to back APFT in less than four months and get paperwork done on them to get discharged.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 20 at 2015 8:47 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:47:10 -0400

Unless a local commander has instituted a local policy for an "integration" period before newly assigned SM is required to take a RECORD APFT.. then none exists.

I have seen policies that require a delay in strenuous activity not limited to APFT in High Alt locations and cold / hot weather locations.

And I've seen local policy for a delayed of a Record APFT in several commands for newly assigned SM.. those policies did not restrict the unit from administering a non record APT for diagnostic use.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 20 at 2015 8:53 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:53:34 -0400

Fort Carson is one command that has a integration period prior to requiring a record APFT.
Acclimatization to High Altitudes Elevations below 5,000 feet have little noticeable effect on healthy people.
However, at higher elevations the atmospheric pressure is reduced, and the body tissues get less oxygen. This means that soldiers cannot work or exercise as well at high altitudes. The
limiting effects of high elevation are often most pronounced in older soldiers and persons with low levels of fitness. Due to acclimatization, the longer a soldier remains at high altitude, the
better his performance becomes. Generally, however, he will not perform as well as at sea level and should not be expected to. For normal activities, the time required to acclimatize depends largely on the altitude. In order to insure that soldiers who are newly assigned to altitudes above 5,000 feet are not at a disadvantage, it is recommended that 30 days of acclimatization,
including regular physical activity, be permitted before they are administered a record APFT.
Before acclimatization is complete, people at high altitudes may suffer acute mountain sickness. This includes such symptoms as headache, rapid pulse, nausea, loss of appetite,
and an inability to sleep. The primary treatment is further acclimatization or returning to a lower altitude. Once soldiers are acclimatized to altitudes above 5,000 feet, deacclimatization
will occur if they spend 14 or more days at lower altitudes. For this reason, soldiers should be permitted twice the length of their absence, not to exceed 30 days, to reacclimatize
before being required to take a record APFT. A period of 30 days is adequate for any given reacclimatization."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 9:31 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:31:08 -0400

SGT Dinwiddie

I am going to start by answering you question directly. There is no Army standard for Soldiers PCSing to a new unit to be given and time to prepare for the APFT. As a few have stated already your orders say to show up ready to take the APFT. The reg you want to check is AR 350-1 it states the following in reference to what you asked.

350-1
Physical readiness testing gives Soldiers an incentive to stay in good physical condition and allows commanders a
means of assessing the physical readiness levels of their units. Accordingly, all AA and RC Soldiers must be able to
pass the APFT at any time, except upon return from deployment. Following redeployment, Soldiers will be administered a record APFT no earlier than three months for AA and 6 months for RC Soldiers.

(2) Commanders may administer the APFT as often as they wish; however, they must specify beforehand when the
results are for record. AA and AGR Soldiers will take the APFT twice each calendar year. A minimum of 4 months
will separate record tests. Soldiers that require make-up testing or re-testing for an APFT failure are exempt from the
4-month rule.

Now I am a Master Fitness Trainer and use to work as a Company training NCO. The only thing I know of that even suggests a “train up period” is the following from FM 7-22. It only pertains to new Soldiers straight out of IET. It is also worded to make it more of a suggestion to the commander not an order. My last unit gave all Soldiers 90 days before a record APFT. But that was the commanders call; he didn’t have to.

FM 7-22
4-27. The new Soldier’s threshold level of physical performance may fall below the minimum for his gaining
unit. He may be considered a borderline APFT performer or be borderline overweight. He may be fresh out of
BCT, AIT, or OSUT, or may have just completed a permanent change of station move or returned from an
extended deployment. These Soldiers are facing new conditions relating to physical performance
(acclimatization to altitude, temperature, and humidity), which may take them up to four weeks to adapt.
Although Soldiers leave IMT prepared to transition to the sustaining phase, they may de-train due to leave,
transit, and in-processing at their new duty assignments just like Soldiers in operational units. New Soldiers
need to train in the unit for 90 days before PRT leaders or AIs assess the Soldiers' fitness levels. This timeframe
allows them to acclimatize, assimilate into a unit PRT program, and adapt physiologically and psychologically.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 9:59 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:59:15 -0400

See that's one of my sticking points troops...

Readiness is essential to venture out into the "land of the not quite right" across the great divide. Physical fitness is essential and regardless of where you go, when you go and how you go, service members should be able to pass the APFT upon arrival or departure. If an individual is fit, adaptation to any environment should be brief.

Regulation are there for the commanders and are guidelines for instilling order and discipline.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 20:22:06 -0400

I realize this is long past your post date, but I looked up FM 7-22, Army Physical Readiness Training, and found this paragraph.
NEW SOLDIERS ENTERING UNITS
4-27. The new Soldier’s threshold level of physical performance may fall below the minimum for his gaining unit. He may be considered a borderline APFT performer or be borderline overweight. He may be fresh out of BCT, AIT, or OSUT, or may have just completed a permanent change of station move or returned from an extended deployment. These Soldiers are facing new conditions relating to physical performance (acclimatization to altitude, temperature, and humidity), which may take them up to four weeks to adapt. Although Soldiers leave IMT prepared to transition to the sustaining phase, they may de-train due to leave, transit, and in-processing at their new duty assignments just like Soldiers in operational units. New Soldiers need to train in the unit for 90 days before PRT leaders or AIs assess the Soldiers' fitness levels. This timeframe allows them to acclimatize, assimilate into a unit PRT program, and adapt physiologically and psychologically.

And when I went through PRT Leaders course, it was also put out to us that by FM 7-22, it is 90 days before you can be given a record APFT. But you can take a diag before that.

That being said, you're still an NCO and unless you have some sort of medical condition you should be able to pass an APFT. But for new soldiers this is something good to know.