This is why fitness matters

[kp2001]

Truly inspiring sense of service.

Haha, I agree. I am merely stating the current feelings of many.

Personally I love what I do, the reality is that more of my friends and colleagues than ever feel a bit different.

 

[scoutpilot]

Leaders should prepare and set examples, not meet a standard barely. A EFMB candidate finishing the road march in time is meeting a standard, nothing special.

Stop it with that adult, leader-y type thinking.

 

[kp2001]

Leaders should prepare and set examples, not meet a standard barely. A EFMB candidate finishing the road march in time is meeting a standard, nothing special.

So someone overcoming a personally difficult situation isn't worth a "good job", but rather a berating for doing something that is outside their "normal"?

This soldier didn't post this herself, she didn't ask for the attention, she merely overcame a hurdle. (And one according to some that they've seen infantrymen fail)

Heck who knows maybe she had Montezumas revenge all day before...

I get it, she didn't solve the Middle East crisis, but give her credit for not stopping.

 

[MabryPsyD]

I get it, she didn't solve the Middle East crisis, but give her credit for not stopping.

I mean, not going to give her a high five and a good job for meeting the standard, but I don't get why she's being attacked in this thread for being tired while crossing the finish line.

She could have crawled across with one minute to spare and her badge wouldn't look any differently than the first place finisher.

 

[scoutpilot]

I mean, not going to give her a high five and a good job for meeting the standard, but I don't get why she's being attacked in this thread for being tired while crossing the finish line.

She could have crawled across with one minute to spare and her badge wouldn't look any differently than the first place finisher.

Thinking it's about what the badge looks like is missing the point entirely.

 

[MabryPsyD]

Thinking it's about what the badge looks like is missing the point entirely.

Your take is somehow an officer shouldn't look exhausted in front of Soldiers. She is setting the example by showing others she gave it her all while exceeding the standard, both by earning the badge and passing the finish line with 13 minutes to spare.

If that's missing the point, then consider the point missed...

 

[MemberLG]

My interpretation of Scout's intention was to point out "why fitness matters." He doesn't have problem making personal attacks, but in this case he used a "person" and I don't think he attacked this CPT specifically.

The two questions from me, how this CPT prepared for the EFMB 12 road march and should there be a difference between societal and military's perception of accomplishments.

For a civilian to run a 10K race for the first time and finishing it is great. Or the TV show The Biggest Loser. For whatever reason a person becomes "fat," and in a reality show he or she attempts to lose weight, and somehow he or she is seen doing something extraordinary? So, how do we classify a military officer that volunteered to do a 12 mile road march and struggles at the end (the assumption here is that this CPT had no medical issue)?

P.S. I get tired, I get exhausted, I am not the fastest guy in my unit, I have bad hair days. That doesn't mean I don't prepare myself to do my best. Hope is not an option.

 

[Freda'sMom]

...but I don't get why she's being attacked in this thread for being tired while crossing the finish line.

A few posters in this forum have a long history of condescension and belittling those in the military (mainly women) who don't quite live up to their idea of what an officer should be.

 

[AJC]

Perhaps that point is, since this forum exists to inform those aspiring to be officers, that a standard exists and that simply being able to meet it is not enough. That leaders lead. The example they set has an impact on those they lead. While the video is a fine example of giving all you have it and then some it might not inspire the the troops to "follow me".
That being said the mere presence of a camera distorts. Had this not been posted the OP's point is still valid minus the individual that seems to demonstrate it. Young leaders should know that initially their physical prowess may be the only thing the bring to their unit. And that they should excel at something while learning their trade on the job.

 

[MemberLG]

A few posters in this forum have a long history of condescension and belittling those in the military (mainly women) who don't quite live up to their idea of what an officer should be.

So what's the point?

"A few posters in this forum have a long history of condescesnion and belittlering those in" this forum that express any opinion "their idea of what an office should be" to be negative automatically.

This is an internet forum, as long as we abide by the forum rule I can be "condescending" or "belitterling" as much as I want to anyone or anything. Someone's belitterling is another person's statement of fact. Of course, a moderator will decide if my condescension and belittling violated the forum rule or not.

I might as well don't come back to this forum if I can't post things because it appears "condescension and belittleing." I don't like many opinions posted on this board, what makes this forum good and interesting is oppsoing views.

 

[EDelahanty]

Haven't watched the video so not sure if it's a Doc or some other health person, but as a related aside:

Do you really care if your Army Doctor can complete a 12 mile ruck? I'd much rather have a fat, highly competent and skilled physician than worry if they can complete a certain physical fitness event.

Baseline fitness as a staff puke (including myself here) I get, but let's not forget what the priorities should be.

I can't remember the last time I saw a fat physician. Should I be worried about the competence of my doctors?

 

[EDelahanty]

So what's the point?

"A few posters in this forum have a long history of condescesnion and belittlering those in" this forum that express any opinion "their idea of what an office should be" to be negative automatically.

This is an internet forum, as long as we abide by the forum rule I can be "condescending" or "belitterling" as much as I want to anyone or anything. Someone's belitterling is another person's statement of fact. Of course, a moderator will decide if my condescension and belittling violated the forum rule or not.

I might as well don't come back to this forum if I can't post things because it appears "condescension and belittleing." I don't like many opinions posted on this board, what makes this forum good and interesting is oppsoing views.

Whoa, hold up there! Gene Littler was a fine golfer. If you're going to "belittler" someone, make sure you know it's actually a compliment.

And don't belittering, either. In Singapore, that would get you 10 thwacks with a cane.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I think, what I'm seeing, especially from Army folks (not just here, but across a number of other forums) is not that this happened (I'm sure it happens often) but that the public, especially through the media, has rallied around it as "inspirational." The most amount of feedback I've seen is that she should have been more prepared. I've never marched 12 miles like that, so what do I know? I have seen plenty of other examples where the general public latches onto something it clearly "doesn't get" and applies it to every other person in uniform…. "did you see that inspirational woman falling down 10 times before crossing the line…." "yes, did you see the 50 guys before her who didn't?"

My guess, the female captain in the video isn't really enjoying the spotlight (I wouldn't). There are many many examples of where I've stumbled, but have been lucky enough that the nonexistent video didn't go viral.

 

[Hurricane12]

A few posters in this forum have a long history of condescension and belittling those in the military (mainly women) who don't quite live up to their idea of what an officer should be.

I'm a female officer and I cringed hard watching that video. Preparation is genderless, and there are a litany of good reasons as for why "what an officer should be" involves high standards.

 

[kp2001]

I can't remember the last time I saw a fat physician. Should I be worried about the competence of my doctors?

I think you may have missed the point I was trying to make.

Some of the other posters were upset that a Army Veterinarian exceeded the standards by 13 minutes of an 12 mile march, but struggled to do so. Someone else posted a video of such and the reaction that this person did something "special" has offended some.

My point was that the military sometimes determines competence in one's field by metrics (eg Fitness level) that have no correlation. Sure blast them on the fitness portion of the OER/OPR/FitRep but I would rather have the Physician who spent more time perfecting their profession than the one who went to the gym twice a day.

Sure, some are able to balance both, but unlike how the Line likes to look at things just because some medical person is super fit or high speed or done XYZ extraneous training (airborne/air assault/etc etc) doesn't mean they are a great physician. The military sometimes confuses the two.

 

[usna1985]

Maybe I'm missing something. Here is what the article said:

Mason said Cudd serves with Army Public Health Command at Fort Knox, Ky. The march was the last event required to earn the Army's Expert Field Medical Badge, a decoration awarded to those who pass a rigorous battery of tests for medical professionals in the Army. Less than 25 percent of those who attempt the required course typically pass. The Public Health Command shared the video May 1, and confirmed Cudd earned the badge. Forty-five other soldiers did the same day — but 80 percent of those who attempted the course fell short.

If only 20-25% of those who attempt the course pass (and conversely 75-80% fail), I find it hard to believe the course is mandatory. Maybe one element of it (the 12-mile march) is required annually for every single person in the US Army (I defer to others on this point), but this course obviously involves more than that -- including other physical challenges -- as this link demonstrates:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_Field_Medical_Badge

The link goes on to state: "The pass rate for FY 2013 was 19%, making the EFMB one of the most difficult and prestigious Army skill badges to earn."

Unless anyone on this board has passed the course, it's hard to say how much physical stuff you do each day, what they did before the march, etc. The bottom line is that she did complete the course when 80% of those who started with her failed.

Why aren't we talking negatively about the 80% who failed rather than one who passed and was exhausted at the end?

She earned the Badge when most of her colleagues failed -- to me, that's all that matters. And based on the limited article, it appears she was inspiring to those around her, not causing shame or embarrassment.

I must say that I honestly don't care if an Army veterinarian can march for 12 miles with a rucksack -- or march 12 miles without one. And somehow, I doubt that the vet technicians (or whomever she leads) care either. My only concern is that she takes excellent care of our canine military members, who clearly deserve it!

 

[scoutpilot]

You're conflating two comments.

1. That 12-mile ruck marches are a mandatory Army event. They are, and separate from the EFMB.

2. My comment about being mandatory that MabryPsyD set upon was a joke, because kp2001 kept typing "EFMP" instead of "EFMB." EFMP is the Exceptional Family Member Program, not the Expert Field Medical Badge.

MemberLG was right on the money, and gets the point. It doesn't matter if she went "above" her requirements by testing for the badge. Officers are supposed to lead. What if a LT volunteers for Air Assault school, fails to prepare properly, and falls apart on the 12-miler. Do we give him a pat on the back and say "good for you for trying?" No. Officers set the example. Falling down like a POW on a death march, treating a weapon like a walking stick, and placing one's head over the barrel in a struggle to lift one's own body weight isn't setting the example. It says "I didn't prepare myself physically and mentally to set the example."

Good on her for getting her badge. I'm sure it'll be useful as a veterinarian. Nonetheless, she didn't acquit herself or the officer corps well. And that is why I said fitness matters. I wouldn't high-five an LT who finished dead last at Air Assault either. I'd say "you need to be at the front, where leaders are."

 

[EDelahanty]

Speaking of fitness badges, there is great concern among the brass about the long term effects of the sedentary nature of piloting drones. As part of its wide-ranging $50 million consulting contract with the DoD, the Cleveland Institute for Advanced Thinking is working on a new badge.

The AFGPFT (Air Force Golf Pro Fitness Test) will require the officer to play a par 72 course in two hours, carrying a 35 lb. ruck. It hasn't been determined whether the ruck will be a fully equipped golf bag. Also, if a caddy is allowed, will the caddy be required to carry a ruck in addition to the golf bag? (note for study: could work for enlisted caddy version of AFCFT).

There have been suggestions that this could be turned into a "confidence course" with annual competitions. At the end of each hole the combatant would have an additional test, e.g., after par 3s hit an archery target, throw a hand grenade; after par 4s fire a mortar; after par 5s literally smoke a cigar, etc. However, at this point this is speculative.

 

[parentalunit2]

I'd much rather have a fat, highly competent and skilled physician than worry if they can complete a certain physical fitness event.

Hey now, we're talking Army stuff here, not Air Force!

 

[NorwichDad]

Digging a little deeper the Captain is a an army veterinarian. The OP is correct that Officers should always be prepared and do their best in front of their soldiers. But, the point I got from my son is that even with planning and preparation sometimes things go wrong. Stuff happens on these marches. Sprained ankles, backs, knees and heat exhaustion etc. You can get a surprise injury. You go along determining if it is too much or not. It becomes more of a mental battle. There is a little more to it than preparing with two months of running and sittups. I think of his roomate from Norwich in Ranger School a while back. On the last day he broke his foot on the last ruck march. He walked 8 miles and finished the ruck on a broken foot. Got his Tab in crouches. The Cadre were more impressed with him than all the other candidates combined. I remember him speaking of IBOLC, many in his group were heat casualties on these marches. Half of those were sent to ICU including the son of another poster here who he saw being put in an ambulance. Maybe we should give the Captain the benefit of the doubt since we will never get her full medical evaluation.