Disappointing Army AFPT Scores

[sg1fan93]

There are some extenuating circumstances depending on where you go to school. I personally went from very close to sea level to 5600 feet. Even during the push ups I could feel the lack of oxygen. I ended up failing the run, as did some other out of state cadets. I was running a 14:45 in NY and thought that would have been good enough, but it wasn't.
Now me and a few other cadets are going to be running with the cadre every day of the week instead of just three days. I can already tell that committing to that has shown that I am serious about the program. So to anyone who failed the test, ask the cadre or the older cadets if remedial pt sessions could be set up. In the case of my battalion, my instructor was the one who offered it to me.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

There are some extenuating circumstances depending on where you go to school. I personally went from very close to sea level to 5600 feet. Even during the push ups I could feel the lack of oxygen. I ended up failing the run, as did some other out of state cadets. I was running a 14:45 in NY and thought that would have been good enough, but it wasn't.
Now me and a few other cadets are going to be running with the cadre every day of the week instead of just three days. I can already tell that committing to that has shown that I am serious about the program. So to anyone who failed the test, ask the cadre or the older cadets if remedial pt sessions could be set up. In the case of my battalion, my instructor was the one who offered it to me.

Sorry to hear you got bitten by the high elevation monster Good recovery by showing a great attitude for your remedial training. Follow the program they've set up for you and hopefully you only miss one months stipend.

 

[sg1fan93]

Sorry to hear you got bitten by the high elevation monster Good recovery by showing a great attitude for your remedial training. Follow the program they've set up for you and hopefully you only miss one months stipend.

It but me real hard but but my MS1 instructor is leading remedial and only other 2 other cadets came today so at I get the chance to know him even more. How is your son doing Ohio?

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

It but me real hard but but my MS1 instructor is leading remedial and only other 2 other cadets came today so at I get the chance to know him even more. How is your son doing Ohio?

Always good to get to know those in charge Were there more cadets who needed to be there for the workout?

DS is fine, officially moves to school Thursday, they take the APFT that really counts on Monday. Since DS is SMP he will receive his free housing from the university once he has passed on the record. He should be good, but with staying in state he doesn't have to factor for changing climate or other issues. Hope you are enjoying classes as much as the ROTC program, DS has been contacted by a few profs and is pretty jazzed about some of his classes(yes, even a univeristy required BIO) Will feel much better once all of you MSI's have a solid grading period behind you

 

[sg1fan93]

Always good to get to know those in charge Were there more cadets who needed to be there for the workout?

DS is fine, officially moves to school Thursday, they take the APFT that really counts on Monday. Since DS is SMP he will receive his free housing from the university once he has passed on the record. He should be good, but with staying in state he doesn't have to factor for changing climate or other issues. Hope you are enjoying classes as much as the ROTC program, DS has been contacted by a few profs and is pretty jazzed about some of his classes(yes, even a univeristy required BIO) Will feel much better once all of you MSI's have a solid grading period behind you

Less came actually, there were at least 8 scholarship kids that failed the test and only me and another went, and I don't know how many non-scholarships failed. And that I am, I like it soooooo much more than high school. I actually enjoy most of my classes and am excited to go!

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Less came actually, there were at least 8 scholarship kids that failed the test and only me and another went, and I don't know how many non-scholarships failed. And that I am, I like it soooooo much more than high school. I actually enjoy most of my classes and am excited to go!

Sent you a PM.

 

[Marist College ROTC]

Most of our new cadets fail the APFT on their first and second try (August / September). Most pass by their third or fourth try (beginning of October).

There are many different reasons for failing the first time, ie unaccustomed to the climate, elevation, unsure of standards, etc. we are very understanding when cadets initially fail the APFT.

There is only one reason to still be failing on the fourth attempt: The Cadet is not committed to success.

 

[TrpRMom]

Most of our new cadets fail the APFT on their first and second try (August / September). Most pass by their third or fourth try (beginning of October).

There are many different reasons for failing the first time, ie unaccustomed to the climate, elevation, unsure of standards, etc. we are very understanding when cadets initially fail the APFT.

There is only one reason to still be failing on the fourth attempt: The Cadet is not committed to success.

Thanks for posting this Marist. Our DS didn't pass the first time. It was his technique on the PUs. He did great on the run and sit ups. Of course we were surprised as he was. He was disappointed and we were too. After reading the other posts I was getting even more discouraged. But his challenge now is to work hard and prove himself as committed and worthy of the opportunity he's been given. Failure is part of life and so is overcoming, perseverance and determination. I just hope the work he's put in the last 2 weeks pays off in the morning. Too be honest - I'm nervous for him - but I'm trying to be positive and encouraging with him. I don't think he needs me giving him a hard time at this point.

 

[armynavy]

Too much criticism

I just read a lot of criticism in this thread of scholarship cadets who failed their first APFT. Most of the criticism seemed to imply that the cadet was undeserving of the scholarship because of it. It seemed that most of the criticism is coming from those with kids who failed to get a scholarship. I also read some threads that defended the cadets.

My son, a freshman 4-year winner failed the test by two push ups in his first try on technique. How a cadet reacts to a setback may be a better indication for success as a cadet than a perfect 300 on the first APFT.

My son was pissed. He passed the second try and joined the Ranger Challenge team. His team performed extremely well in the Challenge, taking a trophy, and I understand he made large contributions to their success. More importantly, he is getting great grades at a good school. Now he has an inside track at Airborne and the cadre suggested that he apply for CULP.

My point is, there is a LOT more to being a an excellent cadet than passing the first APFT. The Army is all about leadership and some people have naturally better skills in that area that may not be measurable, but are not ignored. They are likely to show up in the scholarship interview, for example.

And, there is a reason they call it a "scholarship" and a reason why grades are the biggest contributor to the OML. My son played football with a lot of great athletes who could get 300s on the APFT but would never get a ROTC scholarship.

The cadet has to be excellent all around, so let's not go crazy over one APFT slip. The Army's minimum APFT standards are not for slouches. My son was in good shape. But, once the fitness hurdle is surpassed, it is more important that a cadet can think and lead, and the Army is doing a great job at measuring those qualities.

"The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools."--Thucydides

 

[Jcleppe]

I just read a lot of criticism in this thread of scholarship cadets who failed their first APFT. Most of the criticism seemed to imply that the cadet was undeserving of the scholarship because of it. It seemed that most of the criticism is coming from those with kids who failed to get a scholarship. I also read some threads that defended the cadets.

My son, a freshman 4-year winner failed the test by two push ups in his first try on technique. How a cadet reacts to a setback may be a better indication for success as a cadet than a perfect 300 on the first APFT.

My son was pissed. He passed the second try and joined the Ranger Challenge team. His team performed extremely well in the Challenge, taking a trophy, and I understand he made large contributions to their success. More importantly, he is getting great grades at a good school. Now he has an inside track at Airborne and the cadre suggested that he apply for CULP.

My point is, there is a LOT more to being a an excellent cadet than passing the first APFT. The Army is all about leadership and some people have naturally better skills in that area that may not be measurable, but are not ignored. They are likely to show up in the scholarship interview, for example.

And, there is a reason they call it a "scholarship" and a reason why grades are the biggest contributor to the OML. My son played football with a lot of great athletes who could get 300s on the APFT but would never get a ROTC scholarship.

The cadet has to be excellent all around, so let's not go crazy over one APFT slip. The Army's minimum APFT standards are not for slouches. My son was in good shape. But, once the fitness hurdle is surpassed, it is more important that a cadet can think and lead, and the Army is doing a great job at measuring those qualities.

"The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools."--Thucydides

I would have to believe that any criticism was not directed to cadets such as your son. Your son sounds like a great cadet worthy of much respect. I think any criticism is more toward those that show up totally unprepared. My son's battalion has already had one scholarship cadet leave the program, he was unable to pass the APFT and it was clear he wasn't going to pass before the end of the semester. These are the cadets that only come to PT and do no outside training to help their cause.

The majority of cadets do not pass the first APFT, usually because of technique. These cadets usually make the mark by the next test without any problem because like your son they are dedicated to their goals.

Good luck to your son.

 

[riroka]

A few MS III's did not pass their AFPT at my sons school. Yikes!

 

[kinnem]

MSIIIs didn't pass! They should know better and cadre should have (and may have) seen it coming.

 

[riroka]

You would think so!! My son said they "have new guy" who is really cracking down on the people not putting in a full 100%.

Last summer I was complaining to a friend that my son did not want to get a job. (He had saved much of his stipend and budgeted it to last him the summer and he did volunteer work.) All the kid did was work out!! All the time!! That friend came back with "Isn't the Army his job? Being in the best shape possible when he goes back to school is his job." I had never though of it that way, but he knew he could not slack off even a little and he went back to school stronger than ever!

 

[kinnem]

You would think so!! My son said they "have new guy" who is really cracking down on the people not putting in a full 100%.

Last summer I was complaining to a friend that my son did not want to get a job. (He had saved much of his stipend and budgeted it to last him the summer and he did volunteer work.) All the kid did was work out!! All the time!! That friend came back with "Isn't the Army his job? Being in the best shape possible when he goes back to school is his job." I had never though of it that way, but he knew he could not slack off even a little and he went back to school stronger than ever!

Good for your DS. It's an interesting perspective I'll have to keep in mind.

Mine managed to squeeze in a job AND work out. It gave him a strong start in his first year of NROTC MO and now he is blowing his PFTs and CFTs out of the water - beating some test portions by 40%. He mentioned during orientation that he was blowing away upperclassmen which totally amazed me. Evidently they layed off over the summer. I think your DS made a good choice....

... but it still wouldn't hurt to get a job and contribute even more to his education right? At least that's what I'd be thinking!

 

[riroka]

Yup - I think a part time job is in order. He should probably work in a gym lol!