Stories on APFT?

[aymar]

Hello Community,

As I am currently a scholarship hopeful on the road to contracting this fall, I am just outside my PT scores for passing. Albeit, I'm still within my first year and I am happy with what progress I've made.

PU's 41
SU's 55
2Mile 16:50

Granted, last semester my run time was at 15:25, PUs at 49, and SUs at 47 near the end, so I'm positive I'll be fit in these areas before our recorded APFT in November. Alternating workouts for all the events and some weightlifting here and there keeps me confident and I have kept improving since my start this year in January.

My question is, how was it for you on your road to contracting? Was your problem APFT as well? Did you beat yourself up about it? Any stories on the matter are appreciated to put it all into perspective. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jcc123]

Son scored a 288 on his first PT test as an MSI. Contracted that week. That's the only pt test he did not max in three years. He now regularly scores 325-340. If you're looking for "perspective" to make yourself feel better about your inability to meet the minimum standard after an entire year, this probably is not the place to find it.

 

[aymar]

As I completely agree to the fact that you are willing to assess those numbers as anywhere near, "Unsatisfactory", I am merely asking an experience, not so much scores. With all due respect, you gave me no background of your son. How am I to relate or differ without background?

 

[Jcleppe]

A couple questions.

The scores you first give, are those the numbers you are getting right now compared to what you had your last semester?

You said you are a scholarship hopeful, does that mean you received a 3 year scholarship and are looking to contract the beginning of this school year?

Regarding the first question, if your scores have gone down since your last semester then you have an issue, it looks like your run time has slowed by 1:25, and your PU count has gone down.

I know your not looking for scores of others but I'll give it to you anyway. Son got a 312 his first APFT and never dipped below that since. Now for background, the run was not an issue, he was a State Cross Country Runner. PU and SU's were another story, his numbers were similar to yours when he received the scholarship. He worked out....a lot over the summer before starting school and brought those numbers up. Granted the run in your case seems to be the big hurdle, unless you have been running at least 6 days a week this summer you really have little excuse. The run can be hard for many cadets and it is what keeps a lot of them from getting a 300, don't beat yourself up over the run if you can't make the 13:00 mark, but you should work as hard as you can to get the best time your body will allow. PU and SU's are just a result of working hard to get those numbers up.

To maintain those scores you cannot rely simply on morning PT, you will need to hit the gym, and run on your own, not just once or twice a week either.

If your goal is to make the minimums by November then your goal is misplaced, you should be working to make those minimums by the first day of school.

If you are a 3 year scholarship awardee, remember that you will receive no money, tuition, book money, or stipend until you pass the APFT and contract. If you are able to pass by the end of the semester you will be paid your book money and tuition will be paid, you will not be paid back for any stipend, the stipend does not start until you contract.

If you were not awarded a 3 year scholarship and are just hoping to receive a scholarship from the battalion then I think you are out of luck. They don't give scholarships to cadets that take 3 semesters to pass an APFT.

 

[Rocko]

Hello Community,

As I am currently a scholarship hopeful on the road to contracting this fall, I am just outside my PT scores for passing. Albeit, I'm still within my first year and I am happy with what progress I've made.

PU's 41
SU's 55
2Mile 16:50

Granted, last semester my run time was at 15:25, PUs at 49, and SUs at 47 near the end, so I'm positive I'll be fit in these areas before our recorded APFT in November. Alternating workouts for all the events and some weightlifting here and there keeps me confident and I have kept improving since my start this year in January.

My question is, how was it for you on your road to contracting? Was your problem APFT as well? Did you beat yourself up about it? Any stories on the matter are appreciated to put it all into perspective. Thanks in advance!

I don't see your problem as being the APFT. From what you posted you dropped in both the Run (Quite a bit) and PU since last semester. That tells me you did not workout over the summer to improve (or even maintain) your physical fitness. As I see it the problem is your commitment to a regular workout program.

Change that and your APFT will no longer be a problem and you will no longer beat yourself up!

 

[Pima]

aymar,

No offense, but your post was a little harsh to Jcc.

Any stories on the matter are appreciated to put it all into perspective

Jcc's response

Son scored a 288 on his first PT test as an MSI. Contracted that week. That's the only pt test he did not max in three years. He now regularly scores 325-340.

That falls in any stories as far as I am concerned. It illustrated that the scores matter.

Follow up from Jcc123 was probably hitting a sore spot.

If you're looking for "perspective" to make yourself feel better about your inability to meet the minimum standard after an entire year, this probably is not the place to find it.

~ Honestly you have to find motivation from within, at a certain point hand holding and RAH, RAH, SiS BOOM BAH ends.
~~ Is it harsh? Maybe, but you are not 17 in HS, you are a rising sophomore with 1 year of AROTC under your belt.
~~~ In essence you are saying with the did you beat yourself up comment?, that you do not have a support system within your own det. JMPO, but that is how it reads to me when you select an anonymous forum for support/guidance after a year in ROTC. Is ther no rising MII or IV you can confide in at your unit?

You state you are an MSII. Are you saying that you were not in AROTC last year, but will contract in the next few weeks?


@8 1/2 minute mile as a guy is RUT RO IMPO. Heck my DS was AFROTC, and we all know the AF is not the PT branch. He was the PT runner in the back of the pack screaming pick it up. 71/2 min. mile was the pace.

 

[EDelahanty]

You haven't provided any information about yourself, so I wonder how valuable information from random posters would be to you.

Have you used the online APFT calculator? Allow me to mention a somewhat important distinction.

As a male, your score fails (168 of 300). It wouldn't be anywhere close to garnering a scholarship even with modest improvement.

As a female, your score is decent (245) but wouldn't necessarily guarantee a scholarship.

Hope this helps.

http://apftcalculator.com/

 

[fencersmother]

Um, not exactly working on the PT, huh?

What exactly do you seek here without giving us enough info?

Do you want to improve your score? Well, shazamm, get your fingers off the computer and go for a run. That is what you need right now! Five miles in the morning and three miles at night, every night.

Two years in? What were you doing last year? Halo? Call of Duty? Get outside! Get to the gym!

We can't help you if you can't help yourself.

I think AFROTC would have disenrolled you already.

AND, who wants their commanding officer to be "just inside" the PT regs? I want my leader to be best of the best, not just one step from separation.

 

[Vista123]

Son #2's story: DS is hoping to pass the PT test on day 1. Maybe I shouldn't say hoping....maybe I should say working towards. He is a boxer so pushups and sit ups are a piece of cake. I asked him about form and he said that it helped that his older brother is Navy (a training corporal) so knows the form. (though navy is less strict than Army on form-so, who knows for sure that his form is correct until he takes the test?) He worked out every single day and He ran 3 days per wk over summer and rucked (him and his brother are big ruckers) 3 days per wk. Regarding motivation...anything that helps him beat out his older brother is in itself motivating. He also would like to contract asap. He will have other challenges along the way though.And though this part of his path might be easier for him than you, he will have a bunch of other hurdles that might be non-hurdles for you. The Cadre, if they are doing their job, will find something that you have a weakness in, exploit it to a degree, to improve upon it.



Son #1s story: he was the top or maybe second to the top scorer on the PT test. This was easy for him. but he had his own challenges.My older son (navy), at parents wkend shared that he kept getting fried for not being loud enough and he didnt know if he was ever going to be loud enough. It was nerve wracking and stressful and one of his weaknesses that they zeroed in on within a few minutes of him reporting.


Aymar:
Working out?
The only way, aymar, that you are going to change is to make a change.
* Can you find a work out partner?
* join a running club
* invest some money in a couple of sessions with a trainer to get you started.
*look for running aps (Zombie run is a hoot)



btw, What are your strengths?

 

[fencersmother]

Aymar, I re-read your initial post and I am a bit nervous that you are so confident in your ability to (greatly) improve before November with just a little weight lifting, here and there.

I think, if you have any true desire to pass this thing you need:

1) Get on a daily workout schedule, and do not miss it, for anything. No Saturdays off (Sunday ok), no "I have a math test tomorrow"... you have to learn to be self disciplined AND time management

2) Look yourself squarely in the eye and ask: How badly do I want this? Am I doing it for the ROTC money? BAD REASON - If you truly want to be an Officer, you have to start acting like one.

3) With a year in, I am wondering why you do not have a squad bud to run with already? A regular workout partner who will (strongly!) encourage you to do better, not slack off?

Basically, what I am saying is what everyone else has implied or stated: YOU have to WANT it bad enough to overcome your weaknesses. No one can do it for you and we're not going to cry with you either. The position to which you aspire is too important to waste. Be your best - you might really like yourself!!!

 

[Vista123]

Aymar, I re-read your initial post and I am a bit nervous that you are so confident in your ability to (greatly) improve before November with just a little weight lifting, here and there.

I think, if you have any true desire to pass this thing you need:

1) Get on a daily workout schedule, and do not miss it, for anything. No Saturdays off (Sunday ok), no "I have a math test tomorrow"... you have to learn to be self disciplined AND time management

2) Look yourself squarely in the eye and ask: How badly do I want this? Am I doing it for the ROTC money? BAD REASON - If you truly want to be an Officer, you have to start acting like one.

3) With a year in, I am wondering why you do not have a squad bud to run with already? A regular workout partner who will (strongly!) encourage you to do better, not slack off?

Basically, what I am saying is what everyone else has implied or stated: YOU have to WANT it bad enough to overcome your weaknesses. No one can do it for you and we're not going to cry with you either. The position to which you aspire is too important to waste. Be your best - you might really like yourself!!!

+1

 

[aymar]

Just a bit more Information!

I am about to hit a run in a few minutes, and seeing all the replies I have already received, I'll will be eager to come back to read them all!

I guess you could say I'm a special case. I attended school for nearly two years, without being in the program, up until last Spring semester! I have enough Credits to be considered a II, and I will receive my degree this December. I am currently taking I and II classes simultaneously to avoid having to go to LTC (if that will even exist any further). So that should clear a bit up when it comes to my length in the program. 1 semester strong.

I started as a 5'!!", 222lbs Cadet last semester. Right now, Currently as of today, I am 206 lbs. Still the same height. I was a soccer player in HS, and played in leagues up until this semester. I will no longer be participating, and will be fully focused in ROTC callings, PT, Academics, etc.
I glanced, and saw a few hints and tips from people, and I am greatly appreciative of it. I am running hard since the last 3 weeks, ATLEAST 5 times a week. In that, they have all been small improvements. I don't recall who it was, but they hit the nail on the head about not maintaining that fitness throughout the summer months. I'll admit that is not an Officer's way, mindset, or approach, and will certainly not fall back to that level.

The numbers left aligned in the OP are what my assessment is currently. I have no doubt that I will not slack off, and my intentions are to bypass the minimum by the start of school on the 25th of Aug.

I am attempting to gain a scholarship through the Battalion, for two years. Talking to the PMS, they said academically I am golden, and without problem. They just stressed PT to me, and that's where my mind is. I do not intend to stop training once I pass, but when I do pass the diagnostic test they will hold before November, I'm sure that will be when I am contracting and gaining my scholarship. Therefore, I'm working to achieve that goal.

I'll be happy to give more information if necessary to help in any replies!

 

[Pima]

I am totally confused.

I am attempting to gain a scholarship through the Battalion, for two years....November, I'm sure that will be when I am contracting

If I am correct you do not have a scholarship. If you received one, the earliest for contracting would be Jan. when you return, because according to your post you do not have a scholarship in hand currently.

Also this left me in

I will receive my degree this December

Huh? You are graduating in 4 months, but applying for a scholarship? Are you graduating from a CC and transferring to a 4 year come Jan?

 

[Jcleppe]

I guess you could say I'm a special case. I attended school for nearly two years, without being in the program, up until last Spring semester! I have enough Credits to be considered a II, and I will receive my degree this December. I am currently taking I and II classes simultaneously to avoid having to go to LTC (if that will even exist any further). So that should clear a bit up when it comes to my length in the program. 1 semester strong.

I am a little confused.

You said that you are taking both MS1 and MS2 classes, did you take those classes last spring semester as well.

You also said you will receive your degree this December, is it your plan to complete your Masters degree for the remaining two years of ROTC.

 

[Pima]

FWIW,

One other concern you should have is your weight. In AFROTC you would be taped because 5'11 and 206 is over the weight limit. I believe their max at that height is about 10-15 pounds less.

Back on topic, I am with Jcleppe, your posts are not jiving.

I started as a 5'!!", 222lbs Cadet last semester.

That to me means you were a MSI, but you go onto say

I am currently taking I and II classes simultaneously to avoid having to go to LTC

Why are you retaking MSI if you were already in the program last semester?

 

[Jcleppe]

Why are you retaking MSI if you were already in the program last semester?

That would actually make sense, MS1 and MS2 are both year long classes, if he took both classes last spring semester then he would need to take them both again this semester to complete them. What I am having trouble understanding is what will he take the spring semester of 2015 and will he have three years remaining in ROTC at the start of this fall semester.

 

[aymar]

I am 206 lbs, yes. Never passed the two weight-and-tapes from my first semester in the program. You are correct, my target weight is 190.

Look at it this way, MSI and MSII are both each respectively 2 semesters.
I took the first semester of the MSI class last semester, Spring of 2014. I will be taking the second half of the MSI year this semester, along with the first half of the MSII class. The reasoning behind this is my total credit hours completed, and respective GPA (3.145).

With this completed, the admin clerks in our office already have my DODMERB paperwork cleared, my transcripts, GPA, and the go ahead paperwork (104-R) for my scholarship completed for my Degree Majoring in Kinesiology.

I will be graduating from CC with a General Studies Associates this December. The scholarship will cover either (as you all know) the tuition or board at the 4 year college I will transfer to.

 

[Jcleppe]

Makes sense.

A 3.145 GPA, below passing APFT, and still needing to make weight....you are very fortunate to be offered a scholarship.

Realize that these numbers if they stay close to this will be far below what you will need to compete for Active Duty. Work hard to bring up that GPA and APFT over the next two years.

Just one other thing to keep in mind, if you for some reason do not make weight when it comes time to commission you will be disenrolled from ROTC and will be required to pay back the entire scholarship. Just read through this board and you will read posts that talk about this happening to other cadets. The military takes these contracts very seriously.

Best of luck to you.

 

[aymar]

I am well aware of the luck I've experienced, trust me. Sadly enough, I'm one of the smarter of the bunch here at the school enrolled; not many scholarships are given, or even sought after surprisingly.

Regardless, I will be sure to continue improving academically and physically. The payout is well worth it. I just seemingly got caught up in it all and lost focus.

As far as the worst scenarios, steering clear of them won't be a problem. Its unlike my character to throw all the opportunity under the bus.