Well the Army is finally getting away from the old APFT.
What started out as a commanders tool to judge the physical readiness of his unit became a substitute for leadership, professionalism, and advancement potential. When you have three easy to grade events that allow you to stratify soldiers it can do nothing but turn into the key to promotions. The old thinking went "Well if you can run you can lead" or something like that. Evidently leading your company on a company run where you caused people to fall out is evidence of leadership. If you don't follow, don't worry, I've been in the Army for a while and I still don't get it.
Until you go to combat and the overweight kid with bad knees pulls the PT stud from a burning tank. When your high speed staff sergeant falls apart and fails to do his job during a medevac. Ever see a medal for heroism stopped cold because the kid couldn't pass the PT test? It isn't something you want to experience.
We learned the hard way that people get promoted into ranks during peacetime without being able to fulfill the duties of that rank in wartime. Believe me my biggest fear isn't getting killed, it is screwing up my job so that my boys get killed.
So I am "cautiously optimistic" that the new PT test will not get bastardized into a promotion tool. Combat is a "pass/fail" event, and the PT test should reflect that.
About Me
- AM
- Raised by conservative Christian parents, enlisted in the Army at 18, used the GI Bill to finish college, and I'm back in the Army. Along the way I've encountered a huge cast of characters, some I got into trouble with, some that passed on skills that have helped me on my life journey.
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5 comments:
Good points. Some of the best soldiers I ever had were not stellar APFT performers.
One of my proudest achievements was as a brand new Sergeant, when my team -a 32 year old and 36 a year old (both "grandpas", in a sea of 18-21 year olds) and myself- finished a unit land nav/ruchmarch/scout skills competition in second place. We smoked the PT studs whose stacked teams scores averaged in the 290s. In fact, we won every event except the APFT, if I recall (shows you how much stock was put in the PT test).
The guys I had were committed, competent, and most importantly, we were a team. We weren't the flashiest or fastest (being, in fact, a buck sergeant and two "old men"), but we finished every event together. Even the deathmarch at the end.
I'm curious to see where the army goes with this.
And, BTW, your example of a commander who runs his company until he gets mass dropouts? I've seen those types. More interested in showing off than unit cohesion. Sad. There's a time when making people fall out is appropriate, but when it's done intentionally, on a larger than platoon level run, it's counterproductive, IMO.
AP
When you make General, can I work for you, Sir? I didn't think common sense was aloowed in the Army.
Officers like me don't make the ranks of Generals. No big conspiracy, just that the promotion boards look at time in service and if you are getting a bit long in the tooth for your year group they do not groom you for promotions.
That isn't to say that mid career commisioned Officers don't have fulfilling careers, but I would consider it a miracle if I were to ever make the LTC list. Hell, even before that I have to successfully complete a tour as a Company Commander and then get promoted to Major and do some time in KD positions.
Right now I'm just trying to be the leader that I didn't have when I was a private.
Need an 88N20 in your Company?
I'm on my third deployment, and I've consistently seen a number of "leaders" whose main concern is hitting the gym, rather than accomplishing the mission. Promotion uber alles tends to define these individuals. Not particulary team-oriented either, but there have been some very tight weight-lifting cliques.
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