For Soldiers without a profile, the APFT consists of push-ups, sit-ups and a 2-mile run.  Soldiers with a physical fitness profile participate in events outlined in their profile.  Sometimes this includes alternate events such as the 2.5 mile walk. The APFT standards are outlined in FM 21-20.  It is the official APFT regulation.

One of my biggest challenges as a Company Commander was getting my Soldiers to pass the annual Army Physical Fitness Test.  Although physical fitness is an individual responsibility, Company Commanders are responsible for the readiness of their units.  They must ensure their Soldiers are physically fit and meet the minimum APFT and Height/Weight standards.

This task sounds simple, but is actually quite difficult to manage.  Since you only train with your Soldiers 2-3 days per month, it’s difficult to control what they do the other 28 days.  In other words, you can’t make your Soldiers exercise and eat properly during their “off time.”  You have little control over that.

Since you can’t make your Soldiers stay in shape, its little wonder the National Guard has a horrible reputation for physical fitness.  In fact, it truly amazes me how many Soldiers in the National Guard cannot pass the APFT and/or Army Height Weight.  In some units, APFT Failures consist of nearly half the unit. 

Personally, I think that’s pathetic.   Most physical fitness failures fail the APFT because they don’t exercise on their own.  Let me say that again.  Most APFT Failures fail the APFT because they don’t exercise on their own.  These same Soldiers will have countless excuses, but the bottom line is they don’t exercise on their own.

Let me continue by saying that I don’t have a problem with APFT Failures.  Instead, I have a problem with repeat APFT failures.  Sometimes, someone can have a bad day and not do well on their APFT.  I can handle that.  But, I can’t stand the Soldier that hasn’t passed an APFT in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years or more, and is still in the Army.  In most cases, they’re still in the military because their leaders didn’t do their jobs like they were supposed to. 

During drill weekend, Company Commanders are very busy trying to accomplish individual training and collective training.  They also have meetings, briefings and countless other requirements.  In most cases, the training schedule does not have “extra” time to do company-level physical fitness.  Even if it did, it wouldn’t matter much.  Even if you do physical fitness training during drill weekend, that’s not enough exercise to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.  Ultimately, Soldiers must work out on their own to stay in shape.

Even though you can’t control what your Soldiers do 28 days per month, you can do several things to “influence” your Soldiers to exercise on their own.  Here are a few helpful things I did during my time in Company Command. 

APFT Flags: Initiate an APFT Flag to everyone who fails the APFT in your unit.  I mean everyone.  This includes your First Sergeant, Officers and Senior NCOs, as well as your Soldiers.  That way, everyone knows you are serious about enforcing the APFT standard and Army Standard.  If you don’t enforce the APFT standard, it will have a negative impact on your unit.

Take the APFT as a unit: Minimum once per year, have your entire unit take a record APFT together.  As the Company Commander, be first in line so everyone can see you doing the APFT and Army Height Weight.  It’s called leading from the front.  Personally, I’ve always had a problem with someone who only passes the APFT when their buddy administers the test.  Perception is everything.  If a Soldier can’t participate in the company-level APFT, make sure their 3 or more senior people administer the APFT to him or her. 

Stay in Shape Yourself: As a leader, you should lead by example.  To do so, stay in shape.  Do whatever you need to do to stay in shape and receive a satisfactory APFT score.  Do PT on your own.  Join a gym.  Watch your diet.  Always lead by example.  Don’t get fat and out of shape.  You can’t hold your Soldiers to the APFT standard or Army Height Weight standard if you don’t meet it yourself.

Incorporate PT into Training Events: Whenever possible, incorporate physical fitness into your training schedule.  Once a year, hold a “Commander’s Cup” or “Company Olympics.”  During down time, do push-ups, sit-ups and cardio workouts as a unit.  You could even put a sign up in your company area where everyone must do 10 push-ups before entering.

APFT Failure Counseling: When someone fails their record APFT, you must prepare a DA Form 4856 to conduct their APFT Failure Counseling.  At a minimum, you should outline the APFT standards identified in FM 21-20.  You should discuss which standards they failed and by how much.  Next, your Army APFT Failure Counseling should discuss a simple APFT Improvement Plan.  Make sure you put everything in writing on a DA Form 4856.  Tell them what you expect and what will happen if they fail to meet your expectations.  Finally, if they fail to meet the objectives in the designated time-frame, hold them accountable. 

Army Weight Control Program: The Army Weight Control Program can be effective when used properly.  The purpose of the Army Weight Control Program is to monitor the progress of your overweight Soldiers.  In essence, you conduct a tape test on your overweight Soldiers each month to evaluate their progress.  This program is only effective if it is a command priority.  In other words, you must weigh your Soldiers each month, counsel them on their progress and enforce the Army standard.  If you don’t do this, you will be wasting your time. 

In conclusion, physical fitness is an important aspect of military readiness.  All Soldiers are required to pass an APFT minimum once every year and Army Height Weight every six months.  The APFT standards are clearly outlined in the APFT regulation, FM 21-20 and Height Weight standards are outlined in AR 600-9.   Physical fitness is an individual responsibility.  However, all National Guard leaders must enforce the APFT standards and hold people accountable for their actions.

If you take nothing else from this article, please remember the following things:

·        Physical Fitness is an individual responsibility

·        M-Day Soldiers must take an APFT minimum once every 12 months

·        M-Day Soldiers must conduct a Height Weight  every 6 months

·        AR 600-9 is the official Army Height Weight regulation

·        FM 21-20 is the official Army APFT Regulation

·        Company Commanders must enforce the Army standard to everyone in their unit.  If they don’t, performance and morale will decrease.

·        Leaders should always lead by example.  To do so, they should take the record APFT and Height Weight with their Soldiers.  Leaders should do their best and always (at a minimum) meet the Army standard in both events.

Good luck!

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