Army APFT (PT Test)

olderthandirt2 · May 22, 2008

"I bring this up because I am a 14 year veteran of the army and have enjoyed every minute of my time in the service as an enlisted soldier except for the PT. I have always done fine with the push-ups and sit-ups but the 2 mile run kicks my but and I struggled for 14 years to stay under the allotted time limit. I never failed the test but come close to it in the run."

"anyway, if you plan on joining the army I hope you enjoy staying in shape!"

Hi,

Thanks for the post, being a runner--I know how much of a grunt it can be. My concern is primarily finding the correct information on "minimums". Each website ".mil" gives slightly different data.

For you it is running, for me it is the push ups--

In terms of fitness, I know it is a 6 year commitment for me--which is part of the "allure", knowing I have to keep my core strength at a certain level... because at 46 ---I would rather sit and eat--than run for an hour :) !!

Thanks for your reminder,

cb

oxford4447 · May 22, 2008

Hi,

I am new to all things military and I am scheduled for AMEDD OBC August 3rd, pending passing NCLEX!

I was just wondering what the specifics for push-ups were. My recruiter wants me to think that the PT test is "nothing" for AMEDD OBC. She said that all you need to do is "break the plane" when doing a push-up, describing it as just having your arms be less than 90 degrees. But another officer demonstrated one to me as touching your chest to the ground. Anyone know what the reality is?

Also how "tough" are they when you are having your test? Yelling etc??

Thanks for your help,

kim

Destination1 · May 22, 2008

oxford4447,

The standard for push-ups is like you have heard breaking the 90 degree plane. You are NOT required to touch your chest to the ground. As far as it being tough during the PT test, in all my time I was never yelled at or harassed during the APFT not even in basic training and I was in the infantry.

You can find the standards here:

http:www.usarec.army.mil/hq/apa/rc/apft.htm

Keep in mind that the link I gave you states that the minimum is only 50 points to pass but that is only for basic training. The army standard is 60 points and that is what they go by in OBLC.

If you want to learn everything about the army PT standards do a internet search for: "FM 21-20" this is the army field manual that will explain the physical fitness standards in great detail. Its the army bible of fitness!

Good luck to you.

athena55, BSN, RN · May 22, 2008

Hello All

Okay, www.hooah4health.com this website will give you the scores needed based on gender and age.

Now, when I went to OBC (2006) no one got in our faces and yelled BUT, but if you did not pass the PT part (the 2 mile run, the required push-ups and sit-ups) and/or did not make your weight, you failed to meet minimal standards and your graduation diploma from OBLC was held UNTIL you either made weight and/or passed a new Physical Fitness test. Plus Soldiers were given a time-line meaning they had, I think it was 90 days to meet minimal standards i.e., lose the required weight and/or pass a PFT.

The first day of in-processing to OBLC you are weighed and if need be, given a tape test. Now that OBLC is longer (ten weeks I think as opposed to just two weeks) if you have to lose weight you have a better chance, I would think.

My suggestion to anyone going into the next OBC class this August, Start a fitness routine NOW. Start with your required minimum sit-ups, push-ups and run and gradually increase your total score. But START NOW.

Good Luck to everyone

athena

olderthandirt2 · May 22, 2008

Hi Athena,

Do I remember you saying you were reserve before "going active". The reason I ask is, ----how long did you have to wait "after commission" before going to OBLC?

I know for the active side, OBLC is booked by your recruiter? Where as the "reserve side", OBLC is booked by your assigned unit (mine is the 396th).

Is that correct? My worry is that OBLC will book up and I may not get to go until next year (they run 5x/yr).

That would be a HUGE bummer, because I can't drill (or get deployed) until I've been to OBLC ....

Thanks for responding

cb :)

oxford4447 · May 22, 2008

Thanks for the quick reply Destination1! Those links will be helpful!!

-kim

Itshamrtym · May 22, 2008

Hi, I am new here and this is my first post. Usually I just prowl around and read the posts and for the most part learn a lot.
Recently I have been thinking more and more about joining the army nursing corps and have been reading about others experiences in OBLC. There seems to be a lot of concern with the physical requirements (PT Test). For those who are looking at going to OBLC and are not prior service I just wanted to add this little bit of info that as far as I can tell no one else has brought up: If you are concerned with the physical training and/or testing required by OBLC please dont think you will be free once you pass the test at OBLC. The APFT will be a twice a year deal for the rest of you army career. Some units test more depending on the commander.
I bring this up because I am a 14 year veteran of the army and have enjoyed every minute of my time in the service as an enlisted soldier except for the PT. I have always done fine with the push-ups and sit-ups but the 2 mile run kicks my but :) and I struggled for 14 years to stay under the allotted time limit. I never failed the test but come close to it in the run.
I know dozens who have failed the PT test and it wrecks havoc on your military career (at least for enlisted). None promotable being the biggest issue. I don't know about the Commissioned officer side of things but I would imagine it is the same if not more stringent.
anyway, if you plan on joining the army I hope you enjoy staying in shape!

:p:p:yeah: :yeah: :yeah::p:p:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

WELCOME TO ALLNURSES...

athena55, BSN, RN · May 24, 2008

OTD2:

Whoa, hold up! Who told you that you can't drill if you haven't been to OBC? That is not true, not by a long shot! Yuppers, you can drill with your TPU - as long as you have your orders, and yeah, it is usually your Commander or your Senior Rater who would/should put you into the line-up for the next available OBLC class, which is through the Army Training Requirements and Resources System, also known as ATRRS. But you are correct that you can not be deployed until you have OBLC under your belt

Yes I had almost two years in the Reserves before I went to the Active side of the house.

Have a very safe and peaceful Memorial Day.

athena

PS I just LOVE your signature name:p

olderthandirt2 · May 26, 2008

OTD2:
Whoa, hold up! Who told you that you can't drill if you haven't been to OBC? That is not true, not by a long shot! Yuppers, you can drill with your TPU - as long as you have your orders, and yeah, it is usually your Commander or your Senior Rater who would/should put you into the line-up for the next available OBLC class, which is through the Army Training Requirements and Resources System, also known as ATRRS. But you are correct that you can not be deployed until you have OBLC under your belt
Yes I had almost two years in the Reserves before I went to the Active side of the house.
Have a very safe and peaceful Memorial Day.
athena
PS I just LOVE your signature name:p

Hi Athena55,

Thank you for the great post. As soon as I get my papers, I am going to be knocking on the 396th's door :nuke: !!! That is great info---just like all your posts.

You also have a great Memorial day---I'll be a working !

cb

p.s. the "older than dirt" saying is from a "dirt shirt" I found in Kauai :)

Gennaver, MSN · May 30, 2008

Hi, I am new here and this is my first post. Usually I just prowl around and read the posts and for the most part learn a lot.
...
I know dozens who have failed the PT test and it wrecks havoc on your military career (at least for enlisted). None promotable being the biggest issue. I don't know about the Commissioned officer side of things but I would imagine it is the same if not more stringent.
anyway, if you plan on joining the army I hope you enjoy staying in shape!

Hello Destination1,

Nice to read you. I am posting to neutralize any possible scare factor seeing as most all of the prior enlisted-now RN officers that I have met think that the PT for newly commissioned nurses, (up to CPT) is really nothing AT all compared to how it was for them when they were enlisted.

I also think that many folks are inadvertantly freaked out by the whole AFPT thing. It is two minutes of cardio, two minutes of upper arms and two minutes of abs, (perspective). However, I am not one to say anything as I am overdue on my own AFPT, (gotta get it in this month!! on midnights and a really crummy schedule since th end of November).

Gen

lifeafter40 · Jun 21, 2008

Hi all

I have to say that the APFT is really not all that tough... okay, next I will tell you that I struggled with it the whole 6 years I was on Active Duty. The fact of the matter is that it is up to you to train yourself up to the level you want/need to be. As the original post stated, PT testing will be a requirement your entire career in the Military. Unfortunately, Army PT (outside of basic training) is really only geared for maintaining your physical condition. If you want to succeed/excel, you have to be willing to put more into it than is required. (this is especially true for those of us going into ANC, because 24 hour scheduling interferes with a regular, unit-coordinated PT program)

If you are considering the military for a career, start training NOW! the more integrated that training is in your life, the less of a shock OBLC will be, and the better you will do. Just don't wait until a month or two before your class date to try to get into shape.

one last comment... If you try to train for excellence and fall short, you will still have done well. If you try to train to the minimum scores and fall short...you have failed. Not everyone is cut out to max their PT scores, but always aim higher than the minimums.

I read in another post, that for Officers, the PT test was just a matter of passing or not (where as enlisted personnel get promotion points for higher scores) Although this is true in theory, the fact is that Officer promotion is competitive, and all the selection board has to go on is your Personnel File. If you are equally qualified with another Officer of your year group, it may come down to which one of you has the better PT score...

Good Luck to you all!

S