Can someone be put on remedial PT program if they look fat or have a beer belly?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 07:05:56 -0400

Is that a thing to be put on a Pt program and you pass height and weight (not taped) and pass with a pt score of 260

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 26 at 2019 7:47 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 07:47:56 -0400

Nothing in the regulations that state that the Commander can't dictate whatever kind of PT program he wants. I mentioned in another thread that I had a Commander that would give you a "Meets Expectations" on any score of 300 or less on the present test. 180 points is minimum standards, but there a many units, at least on the Infantry side, that have goals of 270 and above. That usually means additional focus on PT.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 26 at 2019 9:06 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 09:06:16 -0400

Our entire company was put on remedial PT for a month, and we didn't have any failures I knew of, so I'll say yes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2019 10:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 10:28:45 -0400

Commanders have wide latitude and discretion to place you on any PT program they choose. They also have the responsibility to ensure you look like a professional Soldier as well as meet physical standards. 260 is an OK PT score and by no means stellar. While you're above the Army standard and can't be flagged for that, remember that the Army standard is literally the worst you can possibly do in the Army without getting kicked out. Any good commander and NCO will always be pushing their Soldiers to the most of their potential, not to the bare minimum.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Jul 26 at 2019 10:37 AM

CSM William Everroad — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 10:37:37 -0400

The fitness program is the Commander's program, usually executed by the 1SG. However, an effective "special population" fitness program should be outcome based. This means that your particular program should be tailored to improve fitness and/or ABC results. Remedial programs should never be used as punishment for failure to achieve Army standards, but rather a way to prevent failure. That being said, Commanders and 1SGs across the formation use the programs in many different ways to suit their goals for their commands.

It is hard to say in the case you mention , without more information, if it is improper. But, to answer your question as others in the thread have, yes, it is a "thing". For example, if you have a duty limiting profile, like pregnancy, you should be in a "special population" fitness program.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 26 at 2019 11:35 AM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 11:35:12 -0400

'90's in Europe it was company policy for all incoming soldiers to be put on remedial PT. An SM was on it for the first 90 days in country, regardless of their shape, previous PT score.

And yes, a Commander or NCO can place a person on remedial PT based on appearance. They do not need a regulation to back them up as remedial PT is a unit thing and not an Army thing. The soldier presents and unprofessional appearance and that is enough for most.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 26 at 2019 1:21 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 13:21:36 -0400

Yes,

Response by SrA Chris Forster made Jul 26 at 2019 2:23 PM

SrA Chris Forster — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 14:23:26 -0400

Yeah, they're your commander, they could have you PT with them every day if they really wanted to.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2019 3:44 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 15:44:20 -0400

My best guess is that despite being within height/weight standards in addition to having a passing fitness test score, the military overall, and in particular the Army and Marine Corps, has a stake in their troops looking not only sharp and professional in their uniform, but giving the public the perception that we're all in impeccable physical shape. So I wouldn't be surprised if commander orders for members placed in remedial PT to ensure that appearance standard is met.

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Jul 26 at 2019 11:06 PM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 23:06:45 -0400

Never was in special pop pt until I blew my shoulder out that lead to me getting med boarded. But was in a unit that even though we were all 270+ PT score we did PT twice a day at a minimum as a unit. Morning and the hour before COB. We would do either do cardio or endurance in the morning and work the other in the afternoon. The commander owns the PT program and can set it as they deem is best to achieve their mission.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 27 at 2019 12:17 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 00:17:36 -0400

This is my favorite title of a RP thread in a long time :-)

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 27 at 2019 6:35 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 06:35:35 -0400

In the USMC we have the Body Composition Program, which includes a personal appearance component. I am not familiar enough with the Army Regs to definitely say there is a parallel, but I would be surprised if there was not something similar.
However, "remedial PT" would not be the correct action under the USMC program. A plan would be developed with the Service Member to accomplish the stated goal. In this case, "looks fat."