Air Force is going the same route with the Tier 1/Tier 2 testing. Sure it's only applicable to SOF/ST at the moment, but reportedly the plans are to roll out AFSC-specific tests to other, non-SOF/ST career fields as well, like aircraft maintenance, security forces, and CE.
I love it and think it's a good thing. The current run/pushups/crunches/measure-you-for-a-belt test does not measure actual fitness level.
Yes, but let's be real here regarding the AF. How many accounting and finance people do you see deployed to the front line? I can see security forces and CE, but not maintainers. Air frames come back to the "safe" zone because that is where they keep the airplanes.
I would also say, in a way it is a good thing. I laugh every time I go to the Pentagon. I see officers (O5+) walking around and I think to myself in shock and disbelief, Wow, I can't believe they make uniforms that big! I have seen fliers wearing a 44 short flight suit with the Velcro taken all the way out for their stomach.
However, regarding this article and this system I see flaws.
1. They discuss the 12% non-deployable. I would assume it would go much higher with this program.
~ SSGT Idis Arroyo slipped and fell, but powered through the remaining events. What it doesn't tell us is if they had to go to the doc the next day. Maybe the next day they did and bc they powered through they did damage to their knee, in turn now they will be in a knee immobilizer for the next 3 months. Non-deployable.
2. Age does matter.
~ My DH to this day can max or nearly max every AF PFT. He aims and scores at the 20 yo old range even though he is 50 something, but that is bc he is a type A personality, the AF test is also run/push up/sit up only. However, his back and knees are not like they were when he was 20. As a military member if it all goes your way, you can spend 30 yrs in the military, or @50+ yrs old. The idea to say that age doesn't matter is BS! Is the Army ready to say to the BG(guessing mid 40s) at the 82nd that they failed the new APFT and cannot deploy until they pass at the same level as the 18 yo?
~~ Guessing if they fail, just like in the AF, they are given a few weeks/months to retake. However, see point 1. They now train so they can pass, but because their body is older they won't bounce back as fast and can do more damage.
3. I also think they are unrealistic from another aspect.
~ Granted I am looking at this from an AF side, but DH did 2 tours with the Army (82nd and CGSC). I didn't see any difference between the two. They knew when they would be required to take the test. They would train @ 1 month prior and as soon as the test was done they relaxed. IMPO that means there is also a higher risk that they will injure their body prior to the exam.
I think that this is good for recruits. I just think that the age aspect will become an issue. Look at it from a medical perspective. Docs take into account your age during an exam, because they know that bodies deteriorate with age.
I also feel that MG Frost reminds me of Gen McPeak in the AF. This is his pet project/mission, just like McPeak's pet project/mission were the uniforms. They are only in that position for 2 yrs at tops, and than the next person comes in and will undo everything their predecessor did before them. In the end, the only things that were accomplished was spending tax payer dollars and ticking off the AD military members because there is no congruity from 1 to another regarding the higher ups.
I am old enough to remember the AF PFT. One flag officer decided that they should also include a bicycle test. Basically, it was tied to your heart rate increase. Those that were physically fit failed bc their heart rate did not increase enough, where a smoker that barely passed the other portions, passed. It lasted for about 2 yrs.
JMPO and with $2.07 you can get a small coffee.