Videotape CFA Pullups and Situps

Padre101

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My DS got an email this morning from his RC asking for a videotape of his pullups and situps events.

I thought this was weird since he maxed both events at SLE and NASS (not like his CFA was done individually offsite). He used his SLE score as his official score.

Did anyone else get this email? Has this been done in previous years? What's up with this?
 
I was wrong. My DS said it was pushups and pullups that needed to be videotaped. Not situps. I believe he had 16 pullups.
 
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My DS forwarded me the email. Apparently, it will be a requirement added to the WP candidate page.
 
That is pretty weird, IMHO!

The RC does not trust the results itself tabulated at his SLE or The USNA's NASS or by the various CFA administrators??! :
  • Physical Education Teacher
  • Military Academy Liaison Officers
  • Military Officers or Noncommissioned Officers
  • Professors of Military Science
  • J/ROTC Instructor
 
That is pretty weird, IMHO!

The RC does not trust the results itself tabulated at his SLE or The USNA's NASS or by the various CFA administrators??! :
  • Physical Education Teacher
  • Military Academy Liaison Officers
  • Military Officers or Noncommissioned Officers
  • Professors of Military Science
  • J/ROTC Instructor


The email kind of contradicts itself. It says that the purpose of the video is not question the accuracy of the submitted scores. However, the video will be used to ensure the same standards were used.

And why these two events? Why not the situp, the run and the other events?

I can see if they want a video if there was a huge discrepancy between CFA submissions, but my DS's scores at NASS and SLE were almost identical.

I think to ask for videotapes from all candidates no matter how and where they took the test seems unprecedented!
 
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DS got the same email. He did not max out scores while at NASS. It doesn't make any sense at all because they don't trust USNA to use the standards?
 
I am taking my CFA next week. Should I videotape all of my events just in case my RC emails me the same thing to be on the safe side.
 
My DS got an email this morning from his RC asking for a videotape of his pullups and situps events.

I thought this was weird since he maxed both events at SLE and NASS (not like his CFA was done individually offsite). He used his SLE score as his official score.

Did anyone else get this email? Has this been done in previous years? What's up with this?
I got the same email as I took the test at NASS. I did very well on both events, not max like your son, but close. This is spooking me out.
 
There was no videotape requirement last year. Last year they implemented a new additional requirement to have the Physical Ed teacher sign-off on overall candidate fitness. In speaking with the FF rep. the Army has been concerned that coaches are allowing inflated numbers on CFA and kids were showing up that were not nearly representative of their reported CFA. The problem with the Physical Education signoff is that it is very subjective. With cellphones and current technology today it should not be that hard to do and maybe it will deter some of those who intend to apply but have been given special consideration in the past.
 
There was no videotape requirement last year. Last year they implemented a new additional requirement to have the Physical Ed teacher sign-off on overall candidate fitness. In speaking with the FF rep. the Army has been concerned that coaches are allowing inflated numbers on CFA and kids were showing up that were not nearly representative of their reported CFA. The problem with the Physical Education signoff is that it is very subjective. With cellphones and current technology today it should not be that hard to do and maybe it will deter some of those who intend to apply but have been given special consideration in the past.
I understand that. But why now? They've already issued LOAs. Do candidates with LOAs get them rescinded if their videos show substandard performances?
 
DS did get an LOA, and did not get an email. He took his CFA at both SLE and NASS in back to back weeks. Scores were close but slightly better at NASS so he had them forwarded, however he does not know which scores they used, theirs or Navys. I have a question about the videotaping, are they just supposed to show a sample of each or do them timed, in order like in the CFA? And then email the videos? Will it be added to all portals or just those that were emailed? It seems strange that they would ask for videos from kids that were at SLE especially.
 
Can't answer as I have no direct knowledge but as for the PE requirement last year, that requirement did not occur until after my DS application was complete and CFA submitted. At least this requirement is coming out early in process. As far as SLE and CFA's done by FFR, it may be a requirement for all but you folks are further along than most. Just a guess. One observation from last year, as you complete things in portal, it triggers more requirements. They don't ask for stuff until you complete a certain level. Think of it as a video game and it will make more sense.......
 
DS did get an LOA, and did not get an email. He took his CFA at both SLE and NASS in back to back weeks. Scores were close but slightly better at NASS so he had them forwarded, however he does not know which scores they used, theirs or Navys. I have a question about the videotaping, are they just supposed to show a sample of each or do them timed, in order like in the CFA? And then email the videos? Will it be added to all portals or just those that were emailed? It seems strange that they would ask for videos from kids that were at SLE especially.

The requirements are videotaping of pullups and pushups timed. Nothing else. You are allowed a 9 min break in between both event (which is a very long break and won't be indicative of the actual CFA, imho).

You have to show your id in the video to confirm your identity.

The video then must be sent to the RC.

The wording of the email suggests that the videotaping will be a portal requirement in several weeks.

I also think it is weird that they will ask for videotapes from SLE attendees, but it looks like it will be an across-the-board requirement.
 
One other thought, an LOA and subsequent appointment is contingent upon being qualified. Academics through entire senior year with transcripts, medically, physically and with a nomination. They say you should bubble wrap your kid until R day. Your DS has a leg up. but no guarantee. If nothing else, we have learned, there is always one more thing.
 
Last year before R-Day my son received a letter stating based on his CFA scores he would be required to do "X" number of pull-ups on R-Day or he could possibly be dismissed. I guess they have had a real problem with false scores or the fact that someone is not strict enough in the techniques, so I can understand the videos, but the ones done at the academies would have been completed correctly. I don't understand why it is not done like the DODMER and it is scheduled with someone that is trained to give the CFA's. My father said they use to do it about once a month at the National Guard Armory back in the 90's, but they no longer do that. We actually had a difficult time finding a place to do it, because my son's school does not have a pull-up bar in the gym, it is in the wresting building.
 
Last year before R-Day my son received a letter stating based on his CFA scores he would be required to do "X" number of pull-ups on R-Day or he could possibly be dismissed. I guess they have had a real problem with false scores or the fact that someone is not strict enough in the techniques, so I can understand the videos, but the ones done at the academies would have been completed correctly. I don't understand why it is not done like the DODMER and it is scheduled with someone that is trained to give the CFA's. My father said they use to do it about once a month at the National Guard Armory back in the 90's, but they no longer do that. We actually had a difficult time finding a place to do it, because my son's school does not have a pull-up bar in the gym, it is in the wresting building.

I can understand that. But why wouldn't they trust the scores from SLE and NASS? Isn't that like DoDMERB, a centralized place using a uniform standard?
 
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