CFA Question

cadet85

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2013
Messages
281
Okay so here is my most recent practice CFA performance:

BB Throw: 84'
Shuttle: 8.3
Sit-ups: 86
Pushups: 60
Pull-ups: 5
Mile: 7:09

Given all of this, will West Point take into account that I am 6'2" 218 lbs? or will they just look at the stats straight across the boards?
 
Cadet85, simply do the best you can at all times. You'll find that there are very few "excuses" that will fly. If you're within height and weight guidelines, what exactly should they "account for"?

DS is 6'3", runs a 5 minute mile and does 90 +\- push-ups on a pt test, and (after almost 7 weeks of cdqc) about 30 pull-ups. Don't make excuses for your performance, work harder. Everyone has something that "could" be perceived as a disadvantage. You're expected to overcome them and perform regardless.

Edited to add: I'm not implying I think you have performed poorly. Only to point out what is a dangerous line of thinking to start down.
 
Cadet85, simply do the best you can at all times. You'll find that there are very few "excuses" that will fly. If you're within height and weight guidelines, what exactly should they "account for"?

DS is 6'3", runs a 5 minute mile and does 90 +\- push-ups on a pt test, and (after almost 7 weeks of cdqc) about 30 pull-ups. Don't make excuses for your performance, work harder. Everyone has something that "could" be perceived as a disadvantage. You're expected to overcome them and perform regardless.

Edited to add: I'm not implying I think you have performed poorly. Only to point out what is a dangerous line of thinking to start down.

I am not saying I am not going to do my best or that this is a disadvantage. You perceived my question incorrectly. I simply asked if they look at height and weight with your results. Trust me, my father is in the military, excuses do not fly. I will not fail the CFA simply because I won't allow that. I did not ask the question with hidden intentions, I am simply curious if they will see a 7 minute mile less pathetic for someone who is 218 lbs rather than 170.
 
In a word - no. Again if you're within the height and weight standard (or pass tape) there is nothing to account for. (I assume you have to be taped as you're 17#s above the max weight.) That doesn't change the standard you need to meet. Your run time stands on its own merits, good or bad.

I think I interpreted it in the spirit you intended. Further, I am certain you'll do your best, or you likely wouldn't be on this forum seeking advise. To put it in perspective, ask your dad if he cuts people a little slack on PT if they're tall and/or at the top of the weight range. My guess is his response will be no, the standard is what it is.
 
I am not saying I am not going to do my best or that this is a disadvantage. You perceived my question incorrectly. I simply asked if they look at height and weight with your results. Trust me, my father is in the military, excuses do not fly. I will not fail the CFA simply because I won't allow that. I did not ask the question with hidden intentions, I am simply curious if they will see a 7 minute mile less pathetic for someone who is 218 lbs rather than 170.

I think he interpreted it correctly, you just didn't like the answer much. I seriously doubt they care about your height and weight as long as you do well. There are lots of kids slower than you who are 140 pounds, being skinnier might help but only if you have better cardio + muscular efficiency.
 
I'm not looking for excuses and I am not saying they should be more lenient for me. Regardless of all of that. 7:09 is a passing CFA time. I am not failing it... If they don't care then that is fine. I might not like that they don't care but hey, I'll get over it and continue to improve. I didn't necessarily mean account for. I guess I chose my words poorly and that is on me. I don't expect breaks at all. Don't take me the wrong way please.
 
For your height of 6'2", the maximum you are allowed to weigh is 201#s. If you exceed that, they will perform a tape test that roughly measures body fat %. The max you're allowed to be is 20%.

If you are overweight and fail the tape test, you will not receive an appointment or be allowed to contract with ROTC either, should that be your plan B. Many football player-types exceed weight but are low in body fat. The testing helps to account for that. If you're just "large", you need to run a bit more.
 
If you're really being recruited then you won't have to worry about it or your run time. What position do you play?
 
If you're really being recruited then you won't have to worry about it or your run time. What position do you play?

Well one of their coaches came to my school and that's usually a good sign and he invited me to their camp personally. As with everything West Point... I am considered an athlete (ATH) but I have played defensive end, tight end, and outside linebacker- meaning I have started at the varsity level at all three before. However, I am not relying on football or being recruited as help for any of that. I train everyday just like any other candidate would to meet the requirements necessary for appointment. Because even if they don't offer me to sign, I still want to attend West Point.
 
For your height of 6'2", the maximum you are allowed to weigh is 201#s. If you exceed that, they will perform a tape test that roughly measures body fat %. The max you're allowed to be is 20%.

If you are overweight and fail the tape test, you will not receive an appointment or be allowed to contract with ROTC either, should that be your plan B. Many football player-types exceed weight but are low in body fat. The testing helps to account for that. If you're just "large", you need to run a bit more.

I am less than 20%. I'm just a bigger guy that plays football I guess. Not really too much fat on me.
 
Well one of their coaches came to my school and that's usually a good sign and he invited me to their camp personally. As with everything West Point... I am considered an athlete (ATH) but I have played defensive end, tight end, and outside linebacker- meaning I have started at the varsity level at all three before. However, I am not relying on football or being recruited as help for any of that. I train everyday just like any other candidate would to meet the requirements necessary for appointment. Because even if they don't offer me to sign, I still want to attend West Point.

Just do your best on the CFA and don't worry about it too much. Give the coach a call if you're that worried about it. You could be blunt and just ask him if you are being seriously considered for a recruit slot, I don't see why that would be a problem either.
 
Just do your best on the CFA and don't worry about it too much. Give the coach a call if you're that worried about it. You could be blunt and just ask him if you are being seriously considered for a recruit slot, I don't see why that would be a problem either.

Well actually, if you're being recruited, that's actually something you're not supposed to do. I'm not too worried about all of it and I will take everybody's advice here and give it my best on the CFA and everything else. I've got passing numbers now but I want to do better.
 
Just throwing this out there in general-
Anyone interested in playing football or any sport at WP can go to the WP website and fill out a questionnaire for that sport.
Make sure that your reasons for wanting WP are the right ones - primarily to be an Army officer which is what you will be at the end of the day.
Don't go to WP to play a D1 sport with the dream of playing professionally or to be on the US Olympic Bobsled team.

cadet85 - get your CFA scores in the average range. Average = passing. Don't spend a lot of time and effort trying to max the CFA events. Your time is better spent getting every extra point you can on the SAT and ACT.
 
Just throwing this out there in general-
Anyone interested in playing football or any sport at WP can go to the WP website and fill out a questionnaire for that sport.
Make sure that your reasons for wanting WP are the right ones - primarily to be an Army officer which is what you will be at the end of the day.
Don't go to WP to play a D1 sport with the dream of playing professionally or to be on the US Olympic Bobsled team.

cadet85 - get your CFA scores in the average range. Average = passing. Don't spend a lot of time and effort trying to max the CFA events. Your time is better spent getting every extra point you can on the SAT and ACT.

buff81, Already done and dusted. Also, I do not want to attend because of football. This is why I said I will not seek help from the coach for waivers or anything else for the CFA. However, I have already been through that portion of the recruiting process, and yes, I would love to play football at West Point. But still, the big picture is education and to be an officer in the US Army. I agree that passing is good then focus on areas that need more attention too. Good advice as always @buff.
 
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