Why don't we flag soldiers for failing to meet weapons qualification standards?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:05:27 -0400

Why do Soldiers get flagged for failing to pass a physical fitness test or height/weight but are not flagged when they fail to meet weapons qualification standards? What do you think about this?

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 30 at 2014 9:10 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:10:27 -0400

Good question. It would seem logical that we need Soldiers who know how to shoot.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 9:38 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:38:18 -0400

Fitness tests and weight seem to be something that is controllable to the individual, unless they have a legit medical issue. Shooting is a skill that not everyone may be good at. No point in punishing someone who does not have the traits to be a good shot. They maybe looked at later down the road not to meet job requirements and maybe released to downsizing and that's fine. But I think it would not be optimal to just get rid of someone because they don't handle weapons well when there are other career fields where weapons are not as critical.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 30 at 2014 9:50 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:50:00 -0400

Sir I think this is because a soldier could be assigned to a unit without weapons thus making it impossible to qualify. However all units have a way to administer PT test. Also as promotion points are awarded for marksmanship I feel these are the easiest point that one can get.

Response by SPC Charles Griffith made Feb 23 at 2015 12:47 AM

SPC Charles Griffith — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:47:12 -0500

How are you going to gig a soldier on a skill he is not allowed sufficient time and materials to practise? Any soldier can work out anytime but range time and ammo allotment is not there for most soldiers to properly train these skills.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2020 11:42 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 23:42:18 -0400

The problem, especially on the Reserve side, is that we don’t have the resources to shoot more than to qualify once a year. Many of our units are TDA and have no weapons. I’d love to see more training but we are limited on what we can accomplish and sometimes mission specific training take precedent.