Watch out for the new Army PT test tomorrow

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The Stars and Stripes Forever
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http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripe...rmy-to-unveil-new-pt-test-on-tuesday-1.136236

Army to unveil new PT test on Tuesday
By Jeff Schogol
Published: February 28, 2011

WASHINGTON – The Army will finally unveil the long-awaited new physical fitness test Tuesday at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Stars and Stripes will be there. With tennis shoes on.

Soldiers will finally find out how the Army plans to modify the test to better simulate battlefield conditions. The current test, which includes pushups, sit-ups and a two-mile run, has not changed since 1980, according to the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.

In addition to giving you the straight story about what soldiers will be expected to do from now on, yours truly will try some of the new exercises, to the amusement of countless drill sergeants.

To participate in the event, I had to sign an agreement that reads in part:

“Participation in the events related to the new Army Physical and Combat Readiness Test includes, but is not limited to, the risk of death or serious or other injury such as cuts, scrapes and bruises, broken bones, twisted ankles, sprains, pulled or strained muscles, knee and other joint injury, heart attack and stress-related injury resulting from: the risks/hazards of running and physical exertion over a prolonged period, exposure to heat and cold, dehydration, colliding with other runners, falling and tripping, or the conduct of other participants, including their negligence or willful misconduct.”

If any of that happens, we’ll have picture and video.

Huzzah!

Does this mean that the APFT Im taking this month will be the last one for my the rest of my career? :frown:
 
The APFT looks to be changing to more realistic physical skills. Here is an article with a few more details about what might be expected.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_army_new_fitness_test

The pilot program comprises two new tests in place of the current exam.

The new "physical readiness" test adds such things as a 60-yard shuttle run and a standing long jump to one minute of push-ups and a 1.5-mile timed run. This might be given every six months, said Frank Palkoska, head of the Army's Fitness School at Fort Jackson.

A "combat readiness" test includes running 400 meters with a rifle, moving through an obstacle course in full combat gear, and crawling and vaulting over obstacles while aiming a rifle. Soldiers also have to run on a balance beam while carrying a 30-pound ammo box and do an agility sprint around a course field of cones.

To test pulling a fallen comrade from the battlefield, soldiers must drag a sled weighted with 180 pounds of sandbags. That combat portion of the test might be given only before deployments, but that has not been decided.
 
And I might add that since they are moving towards a "combat readiness" test, might they use these standards to qualify women for combat roles?
 
The APFT looks to be changing to more realistic physical skills. Here is an article with a few more details about what might be expected.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_army_new_fitness_test

Also from the article:
The pilot will begin this month and test data will be given to Army leaders by October. The program could be implemented Army-wide during the fiscal year that starts in October, Palkoska said.

Besides Fort Jackson, the program will be tested at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; and at the Army's military academy at West Point.

Looks like cadets will be part of the test program.
 
The APFT looks to be changing to more realistic physical skills. Here is an article with a few more details about what might be expected.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_army_new_fitness_test

I will be really interested in the number of injuries resulting from physical readiness test and combat readiness test.

I was a young 2LT a long time ago, now I am not sure if I can
"drag soldiers must drag a sled weighted with 180 pounds of sandbags"
without hurting mysef.

"combat portion of the test might be given only before deployments"

Dosen't make sense, if you don't pass your don't deploy?
 
I will be really interested in the number of injuries resulting from physical readiness test and combat readiness test.
From the physical readiness, not too many, but I could see a few people getting hurt falling off the balance beam. I would hope they would have training opportunities where you could perfect those skills.

I was a young 2LT a long time ago, now I am not sure if I can without hurting mysef.
I'm sure they will adjust the weight/time requirements based upon age.


Dosen't make sense, if you don't pass your don't deploy?
Yup. No use putting someone in harm's way who is just going to end up a casualty. I could imagine a required remdial (think boot camp) that would be applied to anyone who failed and then discharge if they fail a second time (unless for women a required transfer to a non-combat MOS assuming that women will only be allowed - not required - to serve in infantry). I would also assume 2x yearly testing on combat test for all combat oriented MOS'.
 
Have to say, I like the new name of APRT better than APFT

I wonder how far we will be required to drag the 180lb sled? I think its interesting to see how the scoring and standards will change here and especially how the CFT for candidates will probably see change as well.

Article above is not clear on which one will be replacing the APFT...is it elements of the APRT and ACRT combined or just the APRT?
 
Have to say, I like the new name of APRT better than APFT

I wonder how far we will be required to drag the 180lb sled? I think its interesting to see how the scoring and standards will change here and especially how the CFT for candidates will probably see change as well.

Article above is not clear on which one will be replacing the APFT...is it elements of the APRT and ACRT combined or just the APRT?

Looking at the diagram, it would appear to be about 20 yards (10 yds each way around a cone) for the 180 lb sled drag.

I'm sure they will get the testing requirements spelled out, just like the actual scoring rubrik, after they complete their current testing.
 
New Test

Just clearing things up before I start cheering :smile: - so this new test will replace every single PFT from now on? Including for women?
 
Just clearing things up before I start cheering :smile: - so this new test will replace every single PFT from now on? Including for women?

From now on? Not quite so fast. It sounds like it may be in place next fall, but the Army still has to finalize the requirements.

Women? Absolutely.

Be careful what you wish for, for you may actually get it. This test actually sounds tougher than the current test.
 
Yup. No use putting someone in harm's way who is just going to end up a casualty. I could imagine a required remdial (think boot camp) that would be applied to anyone who failed and then discharge if they fail a second time (unless for women a required transfer to a non-combat MOS assuming that women will only be allowed - not required - to serve in infantry). I would also assume 2x yearly testing on combat test for all combat oriented MOS'.

But if an officer fails the test before deployment and cannot deploy, who takes over the unit they were working with over the past months? It would hardly be fair to take away a leader that the men have gotten use to, and it would not be right to put a new commander in charge without knowing the capabilities of his unit first hand right before they are deployed.
 
But if an officer fails the test before deployment and cannot deploy, who takes over the unit they were working with over the past months? It would hardly be fair to take away a leader that the men have gotten use to, and it would not be right to put a new commander in charge without knowing the capabilities of his unit first hand right before they are deployed.

Fair? What the heck does fair have to do with anything? This isn't playground kickball. It's the military.
 
Not a chance. This will be a welcome change.

I think for most people that will be true. The level of engagement with the actual events in the test is very welcome.

The only downside I see is for those flying a desk, the Combat test can't be trained for at most people's homes and will require a base visit to train more often. Not a problem for most, I imagine.

In the old testing regime, it is quite easy to train to the test. You should know what you are going to score before the day you take it. The new basic test still works this way. I can't imagine that you will get enough reps in to know your score on the combat test.
 
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But if an officer fails the test before deployment and cannot deploy, who takes over the unit they were working with over the past months? It would hardly be fair to take away a leader that the men have gotten use to, and it would not be right to put a new commander in charge without knowing the capabilities of his unit first hand right before they are deployed.

Really

I don't think they will be giving the test the night before they deploy.

As an officer you had better be in at least the top 10% of PT scores of your unit. If you maintain that you will have no fear of failing a PT test. As a Platoon Leader if you fail you PT test you don't deserve to have a Platoon. The issue you describe above should NEVER come up.
 
I think for most people that will be true. The level of engagement with the actual events in the test is very welcome.

The only downside I see is for those flying a desk, the Combat test can't be trained for at most people's homes and will require a base visit to train more often. Not a problem for most, I imagine.

Considering those people "flying a desk" are still required to attend PT on a daily basis and, with very rare exception, work on an installation that's not an issue at all. Where else would their desk be?
 
Considering those people "flying a desk" are still required to attend PT on a daily basis and, with very rare exception, work on an installation that's not an issue at all. Where else would their desk be?

I'm thinking about the poor ROTC cadre stuck on campuses and those other people not on bases like recruiters in large cities. Now they will have to head to base to practice on the balance beams and whatnot where before they could qualify by training at home.

Not complaining. I think there is too much detachment from the "realistic drills" with the current setup.
 
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