APFT Fail

Cadet257

Cadet257

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Jul 29, 2016
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DS failed his APFT for the first time after taking many before (he is an MS3). He had a grader who said he was not doing the sit-ups correctly, which he has never been told before and only counted around 45 of them. He usually scores between 62-67 sit ups and maxes the push ups and run. Not making excuses at all, but now he is very stressed and upset because the worst score he had prior to this was a 270. He is contracted and is worried about his scholarship. He will be retaking in a week, but needs to be able to overcome this mentally in order to pass. Any advice?
 
I suggest he approach one of his cadre members or a member of the Ranger Challenge to re-test him in the next day or so. Pick the toughest grader.

Then he should do as Clarkson says.
 
Obviously, he is going to work on his sit-ups and form. The problem is, he has never been told his form was incorrect before and honestly believed he was doing them correctly. He is not making any excuses, but he is just nervous about the next time he takes it since he has never failed before. Also, he is not allowed to talk it for two more weeks, when he would rather just get it done becuase it looks bad to have a failiure on record, especially for a contracted cadet.
 
Cadet257 said:
Obviously, he is going to work on his sit-ups and form. The problem is, he has never been told his form was incorrect before and honestly believed he was doing them correctly. He is not making any excuses, but he is just nervous about the next time he takes it since he has never failed before. Also, he is not allowed to talk it for two more weeks, when he would rather just get it done becuase it looks bad to have a failiure on record, especially for a contracted cadet.
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You tube "CFA Test" There are your proper sit ups. Don't stress out too much. Make sure he handles the issues and takes the next opportunity to pass.
 
Last year I remember getting a frustrated phone call because my daughter who is 5’6” was measured, for the first time at 5’5” during her APFT so she didn’t make weight and had to stay and get taped (she passed), but she was very frustrated, the next semester they said she was 5’7”.

I don’t know how to help, but just know these things happen, he should check with someone he trusts on his form and get ready to take it in two weeks .
 
Dckc88 said:
Last year I remember getting a frustrated phone call because my daughter who is 5’6” was measured, for the first time at 5’5” during her APFT so she didn’t make weight and had to stay and get taped (she passed), but she was very frustrated, the next semester they said she was 5’7”.

I don’t know how to help, but just know these things happen, he should check with someone he trusts on his form and get ready to take it in two weeks .
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Thank you for your kind thoughts. It can be easy to say just to do more proper sit-ups, but this failure is really affecting DS. Hopefully, he remembers that these things happen as you said and he will be able to perform next PT test.
 
Walman888 said:
You tube "CFA Test" There are your proper sit ups. Don't stress out too much. Make sure he handles the issues and takes the next opportunity to pass.
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No...this Cadet is taking the APFT, not the CFA. The form used in the CFA is different that what he is expected to do.
 
Thank you for your kind thoughts. It can be easy to say just to do more proper sit-ups said:
I totally get it. It messes with their head and confidence, however this is a great learning opportunity to walk him through the reality and the solutions and help him see it differently. At the end of the day the reality is he needs to pass it, and worrying about the “injustice” or whatever isn’t helpful. that is our role as parents when they call is to help them get past that and onto solutions and the next step, so things like this don’t stop them in their tracks .
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Cadet257 said:
but this failure is really affecting DS
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Not trying to be mean but your boy needs to get a grip. Getting all wound up about this doesn't help him... it hurts him.. Tell him to take deep breaths and assume the lotus position while saying "Oooooooommmmmmmm"
 
It’s great you are concerned, but there is nothing any of us can say to help him. He has been in ROTC for over a year now. Yes, it sounds like he found ‘that guy’ who monitored his test. But, ‘that guy’ exists all over the Army. He will take the APFT dozens of more times for courses, evals, etc. If he is unclear on proper technique then he should use the chain of command to discuss. I am guessing there is a Cadet who is in charge of PT for the unit, he should go talk to him to be clear about the regs. His chain of command will know if this is a one off of his performance. He should be upset he failed. But, he will have to learn to channel that and use it to drive him. All he can do now is pass with flying colors next time and ensure it never happens again. Best of luck to him.
 
I watched a Navy PRT a few months ago. I saw some dismal excuses for push-ups, let me tell you.
I watched a Mid do ZERO push-ups (if I were grading) and ostensibly get credit for the minimum, because the Mids who did not pass, were taken aside later (and that Mid wasn't one of them).

If graders are lax about form and rules, no one wins.
 
THParent said:
If graders are lax about form and rules, no one wins.
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Agreed but it works both ways. Graders should be taught the standards and then adhere to them.

I am not sure if this is still done, but Infantry Officers going to IOC used to have an initial PFT where they were never told what the maximum count was (it was changed and kept secret for this event) nor if any individual exercise counted. As a result, the participants had to max out each event rather than "pace" themselves. That is a tough event.
 
Thank you to everyone who gave advice. I know he will be working hard to pass this next test because he really wants this. He is just disappointed, especially since he is a contracted cadet. He will find the motivation to do well.
 
9 days from the APFT. DS has been doing 300 sit ups a day and timing himself for 2 minutes. Any advice that works for you guys for the sit ups or performing well overall about a week from a PT test?
 
Cadet257 said:
9 days from the APFT. DS has been doing 300 sit ups a day and timing himself for 2 minutes. Any advice that works for you guys for the sit ups or performing well overall about a week from a PT test?
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I don’t know if you’re allowed to, but bouncing off the ground on sit-ups might help you go faster.
 
BornintheUSA said:
Cadet257 said:
9 days from the APFT. DS has been doing 300 sit ups a day and timing himself for 2 minutes. Any advice that works for you guys for the sit ups or performing well overall about a week from a PT test?
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I don’t know if you’re allowed to, but bouncing off the ground on sit-ups might help you go faster.
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Bouncing is prohibited. Best practice includes lots of repetition and use abs going up and relax muscles going down.
As an MS3 he really needs to focus. PT is a vital part of being an Army leader. The expected standard for every unit I have been in for officers is 270 or higher

Easiest way to acheive that is max push ups and sit ups and then go all out on run.
 
Glad to hear he’s taking charge and training hard!
Hopefully he’s continuing doing push-ups as part of his training. While he maxed those on the last test, they are also a good ab workout.
I do many push-ups as part of my routine, and different variations including the new push-ups for the APFT being implemented. They go well with sit-ups!
Best of luck to him and keep us updated.
 
Cadet257 said:
9 days from the APFT. DS has been doing 300 sit ups a day and timing himself for 2 minutes. Any advice that works for you guys for the sit ups or performing well overall about a week from a PT test?
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I don't know if this s the right approach in his situation, but a marathon runner, or long distance cyclist, would taper off the last week prior. I'd allow at least a couple recovery days myself, but then I'm just a slob sitting in a recliner.
 
kinnem said:
Cadet257 said:
9 days from the APFT. DS has been doing 300 sit ups a day and timing himself for 2 minutes. Any advice that works for you guys for the sit ups or performing well overall about a week from a PT test?
Click to expand...
I don't know if this s the right approach in his situation, but a marathon runner, or long distance cyclist, would taper off the last week prior. I'd allow at least a couple recovery days myself, but then I'm just a slob sitting in a recliner.
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Abs are pretty resilient. You can pretty much do a good work out every day and be good the next. I would not let up too much until the test is done.
 
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