Do I have anything to worry about in regards to the phyiscal aspects of AROTC

Kevin23

5-Year Member
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Dec 8, 2009
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I'm facing an issue in regards to some of the physical aspects of AROTC like PT etc. Which I hope to start this fall of my sophomore year at my new institution that I transferred into.

As for the past couple of years before this summer, my physical training routine has been inconstant at best due to the pressure of other things in life like school and applying to/transferring colleges. In addition, this has been exacerbated by the other negatives of college life, like poor diet and sleep.

However, I'm working to remedy the situation during my summer, by doing alternating plans of workouts for 1-2 hours everyday for at least 6 days at week.

Nonetheless though, I'm worried that if I am administrated the AFPT this fall, as I am planning to take MS1 and MS2. I'm afraid I'm going to do poorly and potentially catch alot of flak due that possibility, or dragging down my fellow cadets. Even though I'm doing good with the push-ups and sit-ups, I'm not doing so hot with the run.

So do I have anything to worry about? Especially, since early on your obligated to take but not pass the AFPT until it comes to the time where you must decide if you want to commission or not, which would be a little less then a year for me perhaps more.
 
Kevin 23,

It would be helpful to have a little more information.

What is your current Army PT Score?
Number of Push-ups in 2 minutes?
Number of Sit-ups in 2 minutes?
Time on 2 mile run?
 
As an MS I instructor, as long as you are coming to PT and putting forth the maximum effort you have nothing to worry about. Most of your peers will want you to succeed and improve, and the cadre will want the same, as long as you are participating. You won't be dragging anyone down, because you won't have any obligation, and if you don't improve you'll be gone by your junior year. If you continue to improve and start meeting the minimum standards, the sky's the limit. Stop worrying and keep up the effort you have started.
 
Kevin 23,

It would be helpful to have a little more information.

What is your current Army PT Score?
Number of Push-ups in 2 minutes?
Number of Sit-ups in 2 minutes?
Time on 2 mile run?

Push-Ups- well over the minimum in 2 minutes around 50 or so I would say. However, I think I need to improve on my method, but I could be doing them right since I feel the effort paying off where it should be.

Sit-Ups-Well over the minimum also, in under 2 minutes I can get around or over a hundred.

2 Mile Run-Here is where I'm doing rather poorly, in 15 minutes I can only get less then a mile on a treadmill. However, I think other factors may be at work here since I can get much further and a much better time on related workouts like stationary bikes and stair-masters, I'm thinking maybe the type of running shoes I was wearing or the speed/level of the treadmill was causing slowdowns. Ether way it's something I need to solve and improve on.
 
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2 Mile Run-Here is where I'm doing rather poorly, in 15 minutes I can only get less then a mile on a treadmill. However, I think other factors may be at work here since I can get much further and a much better time on related workouts like stationary bikes and stair-masters, I'm thinking maybe the type of running shoes I was wearing or the speed/level of the treadmill was causing slowdowns. Ether way it's something I need to solve and improve on.

You are right, this is going to hurt you. Currently, you are way below the standards.

If you are wearing even basketball sneakers, running less than a mile in 15 minutes is not an acceptable excuse.

The speed should be set for the mins. in other words place it at a 7 minute mile.

Now, if you are doing it at a 10 incline, you have a reasonable excuse, but realize you will most likely be running a track, so there is no need for an incline to be set.

I would suggest you download the CFA form for the SA's. The mins and time limits are different, but they show you the correct way to do this from the military standpoint. You actually maybe doing this incorrectly and that is why you are having a problem.

Good luck.
 
2 Mile Run-Here is where I'm doing rather poorly, in 15 minutes I can only get less then a mile on a treadmill.
get off the treadmill. plug in your iPod and go, on the ground.
in PT you will be running in a group. You will get better - you will have to so you don't embarrass yourself!

Oh, it wouldn't hurt to go to a running store and INVEST in a new pair of running shoes.
 
I agree about the running shoes. Not only will they fit you with a pair that is perfect for your foot, but it also gives you a good mental standpoint (New shoes make me think I can run faster, which in turn really does make me run faster).
 
Call me old fashioned

Get some running shoes (I prefer Asics),
head over to your local high school track w/a stop watch
run 8 laps hard, see how you do.

While you are at it, take a buddy and do a full PT test.
Stationary machines are just not the same.

Keep up a good work out regiment,
But if you are worried about how you compare,
first you have to set a baseline.
(You sound like you are probably above the average entry cadet.)

We toured several ROTC Det's and watched PT...
Some Cadets were struggling to do a just few push-ups
others are super-jocks...it runs the gamut.

Remember you are in there with future nurses and lawyers...
and the future Rambo's as well.
 
Gojack is right on the mark, especially with doing the entire PT test. The reason this is important is you will have to do it all in one fell swoop. If you only test yourself now piece meal, you will quickly figure out that your scores may drop because of your stamina level.

I don't know about AROTC dets, but I can tell you for our DS in the AFROTC, your PT score is calculated into your class ranking. You want a strong ranking to get that premium career field when you graduate. Just like the ROTC scholarship board, you will be rated on a WHOLE CADET SCORE. Your ROTC and your college gpa play into the equation of that score.
 
Army ROTC Physical Test

Are the requirements for the physical the same minimum requirements for the APFT issued during each semester?

What I mean is, if I can do:

42 Pushups
55 Sit ups
16+ Minute 2 Mile

Will I have to take it over?

Basically, is a requirement to pass, or to give them an assessment of where you are physically?
 
42 Pushups
55 Sit ups
16+ Minute 2 Mile

Will I have to take it over?

Yes. You're borderline passing with pushups and sit ups, but you need to get that run time down by about 30 seconds.

I just took the APFT for the first time on saturday and failed it. Alot of freshman from my battalion did. You can't contract(For a scholarship)until you pass, but you still go to ROTC and get your equipment etc... Honestly, I was bummed I didn't pass, but the cadre will work with you to get you ready to pass.


Note to any lurkers:There are actually minimum standards that one must meet to be in the program. There were a few new cadets who didn't make those standards and can't participate in ROTC until next semester.
 
Our DS is AFROTC, and let's be honest people expect AROTC to be more gung ho about fitness than AFROTC. Practice, practice, practice.

The reason I say this is because you will do PT as a group. The goal for the command leadership is to get all of you passing, thus their pace is going to be higher than the mins. They actually do use a stopwatch during PT.

Here's the second thing: PT is just not running it is filled with various other exercises, such as butterfly kicks, push ups, sit ups and side lunges. If you are running an 8 min mile, without doing these things directly before or after than you can expect your other scores to drop due to fatigue. That means your borderline become failing on those aspects too.

Do a complete regiment without taking long breaks to see where you stand from there. You will be given a cool down period between parts, but it won't be 10-15 minutes.

Good luck

Practice, Practice, Practice.

OBTW, I agree with Josh, they will work with you to get you up to speed. In our DS's det., cadets that are having issues with PT meet about 1x a week on their own to work out. Our DS's det also allows those that score high enough to train by themselves, traditionally these cadets use this voluntary work out as their training since at his det they would meet in the early pm. This works out great because you have high performing cadets (peers) motivating instead of someone yelling in your ear! The high performing cadets know that if their scores languish than come next semester they will be at PT 2x a week in the wee hours instead of at night so they are also highly motivated.

Check to see if your det has a program like this.

The additional positive is that the det. knows you are taking this issue very seriously and are committed to rectifying your issues...they will respect you for your proactive approach.
 
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Here are a couple of good websites you can look at pertaining to the APFT:
http://www.army-fitness.com/index.php
http://www.hooah4health.com/4you/apft.htm

you can test yourself and track your own score. There are also some good tips on improving your score.
You must get a 60 to pass for army standards. West Point is higher and ROTC may have higher standards.
ROTC expectations for PT participating and scores may vary. Your cadre will inform you what is expected. Frankly, just passing is not enough. Passing is enough for a private but not an officer. As a future officer you will have higher expectations.

All Army soldiers must take and pass the APFT two times per year. This is not just a one time thing to enroll. You need the mindset that this is a lifelong commitment to meet the standards.

PS - It's not all that unusual for a entering freshman to fail on the first test. This is because the scorers use a very high standard to score you on each sit up and push up.
 
All good advice. The Army is serious about this. My son is graduating from BCT this week (and reporting to ROTC next week.) I'm so thankful he passed his test, but there are several who are coming down to the wire and will have their last chance to pass on Family Day morning. If they don't pass, no graduation the next day. This is after over 10 weeks of grueling BCT, and passing the rest of training. Don't take it lightly - get prepared now!
 
I think unfortunately for some cadets, that they think I have scholarship in hand and I am good to go, afterall I did the PFA and got a scholarship, thus I should be fine.

Yes, they obviously passed the PFA for the scholarship, but now the question is did they practice, practice, practice for months to pass the PFA, and as soon as they did they returned to their Xbox or did they continue with the regimen?

Candidates and cadets need to understand that there is no such thing as "I'll do it tomorrow" in the military. ROTC grooms future military leaders and for as long as you are AD members you will be taking a yrly PT test....yep even those 40 yr old guys have to take it!

It is also important to understand the environment of the military branch you intend to join.

As I stated earlier, the AF is very lax regarding PT. This story is not a lie nor is it an exaggeration. I was married to Bullet for 4 yrs before I ever heard the word PT. I knew every acronym in the world, but not that one.

He took a jt assignment with the Army, and the 1st morning there (82nd AB), he got up at 5:30 and told me he was going to PT. Huh? Where? Well in the Army, at least for the 82nd, they do PT 2x a week, and unless you have meetings, it is expected you be there.

If you think running 2 miles in less than 15 minutes is hard, just wait. He had to run the perimeter of the flight line in combat boots with a 70 lb rucksack on his back in NC in July...not fun. He was 30 yo at the time, and expected to keep up with the 18 yo enlisted members.

Their fun PT would be going to the base indoor pool and swimming in their gear! No Rucksack, but still the boots!

The 82nd is famous for their 82nd annual run. This is a day, where every member runs through the post singing jodies. It is an amazing site to see 10's of thousands are dressed in their PT gear running down the road. You can hear them before you ever see them...it is not the jodies you hear, but the thunder of their feet hitting the pavement.

Look at it this way, the ROTC det does not issue you PT gear for you to wear as you are doing your dirty laundry at school. They issue it because they expect you to have it in your dirty laundry at school.

Nobody should take PT as a gimme. It is a serious aspect of ROTC, and you need to perform to a specific standard. When you go AD lives may be dependent on how fast you run. You may wonder about why the push ups, but if you think about it you will find the answer to that question.

Good luck...RUN, RUN, RUN
 
I've been reluctant to post because I didn't want to "pile on" the warnings. But, on second thought, I'll jump in.

Son got to his college last week and took his APFT on Saturday morning. There are 12 cadets in the freshman class, but only 6 passed. (He was one. :thumb:)

However, he barely squeaked by. The issue wasn't quantity, it's quality. Sure, he could have done over 100 situps ore push-ups the "wrong way." But, even with real-time coaching from the MS4s (seniors), he was lucky to complete the minimum the "Army way."

(The run was less of an issue. For his test, the MS4s provided a "turtle." That is, a runner going at the minimum pace. As long as a cadet stayed ahead of her, passing the run was guaranteed.)

Among the 6 who failed at Son's school were a HS lax star and member of the college football team. Yes, a Div 1 football player failed the APFT. That should give an idea of how much the Army counts quality, not quantity.

Good luck!
 
I've been reluctant to post because I didn't want to "pile on" the warnings. But, on second thought, I'll jump in.

Son got to his college last week and took his APFT on Saturday morning. There are 12 cadets in the freshman class, but only 6 passed. (He was one. :thumb:)

However, he barely squeaked by. The issue wasn't quantity, it's quality. Sure, he could have done over 100 situps ore push-ups the "wrong way." But, even with real-time coaching from the MS4s (seniors), he was lucky to complete the minimum the "Army way."

(The run was less of an issue. For his test, the MS4s provided a "turtle." That is, a runner going at the minimum pace. As long as a cadet stayed ahead of her, passing the run was guaranteed.)

Among the 6 who failed at Son's school were a HS lax star and member of the college football team. Yes, a Div 1 football player failed the APFT. That should give an idea of how much the Army counts quality, not quantity.

Good luck!

I think your son's unit showed exactly what I would want to see out of a unit - insistence on doing things the right way (not counting bad pushups) and the guidance to succeed (the turtle).

Congrats to him on passing on the first try. :thumb:

And thanks for the cautionary tale on the high-achieving athletes who did not pass the first time. Not that it makes me feel great - not much I can do about it except to pass along the story - but if nothing else goaliegirl can use this as a reminder to focus on achieving the necessary result (correct pushups and situps and pacing effectively to complete the run in the required time).
 
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