Reporting to BOLC in March

rustynail · Dec 12, 2011

I was able to finish 13.1 miles in less than 2 hrs 10 minutes. The interesting part was that my heart and my mind were in agreement to keep running all the way but my muscles gave up at 12.5 mile marker and I switched into walking. After a few paces I was able to shuffle my way into the finish line and finish up strong. I think the half-marathon was a good match for me, considering I never ran that far before. I have done a few ten-milers but never a half marathon.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 12, 2011

Great job, Rusty!!

Ol Timer · Dec 12, 2011

I have been in your shoes on several occassions and I know how you feel. I don't want to sound rude, but instead of worrying about the tape test do you think that you might be able to loose whatever amount is putting you over the edge that makes you get taped. This way you wont have to worry about the tape or how different people may tape you.

DWILDCAT · Dec 13, 2011

I totally hear you! I just had so much going on in my mind, and i just had questions that I was hoping would give me some clarity on everything. I have about 100 days, so operation GET THE FAT OFF is on!!! Thank you all for your help!!!

rustynail · Dec 13, 2011

Not to make fun of the BMI standards but my BMI puts me squarely in "overweight" category. It stays between 27 and 28. I have never gotten taped but I am always only 5 lbs away, give or take. I guess I should upgrade from half-marathons to full marathons then :)

Ol Timer · Dec 14, 2011

I'm so happy you didn't take my note the wrong way DWILDCAT. As I said I'm also in the same boat and with a few months to get back into shape. So hang in there we will both be fine.

And for rusty nail I agree with you. I often wonder where they get these "norms"'from. I know that if I weighed 160 people would start worrying about me thinking that I was anorexic.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 14, 2011

I'm 59" and thankfully they round me up to 60" ... gives me a few extra pounds of wiggle room. I am short but have muscles, so I am always toward the top end of my allowed poundage. The BMI isn't realistic for a lot of people -- my husband, for example, would be "morbidly obese" at 69" and 250 lbs, but he's solid muscle after 20+ years of lifting at the gym.

rustynail · Dec 30, 2011

In a recent Army Times article there was a discussion on how to pass the tape test. One of the suggesstions, to the horror of some of the readers, was to bulk up neck muscles, so at least for males (not sure if neck muscles get taped for females), they are able to pass.

Personally I think it is probably a better idea just to lose the extra weight and not have to worry about it but it is not always possible (working night shifts, living in a very cold climate, etc.). A combination of diet and exercise is a way to go. Just like in basketball - you have you offense (exercise) and defense (diet).

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 30, 2011

Yep, women's necks get taped too, same as for the guys -- neck, waist, hips.

CPT_Charlios · Jan 3, 2012

I will be going to BOLC in March, and i would like to know what happens if people don't pass the tape test or the PT test? Do they send people home? I'll make sure that doesn't happen, but it is on my mind. Thank you for any information.

I can tell you from personal experience nothing will happen. I did not pass my PT test when I went through BOLC and they passed me and six others who failed either PT or HT/WT. All I got was a counseling statement and referred OER when I got to my first duty assignment.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 3, 2012

I can tell you from personal experience nothing will happen. I did not pass my PT test when I went through BOLC and they passed me and six others who failed either PT or HT/WT. All I got was a counseling statement and referred OER when I got to my first duty assignment.

This has changed -- they started cracking down on PT failures with the January 2011 BOLC class. I saw people get held over at Ft. Sam from the January class, and they were still there trying to pass the PT test at the end of our BOLC class (March-May 2011).

CPT_Charlios · Jan 3, 2012

This has changed -- they started cracking down on PT failures with the January 2011 BOLC class. I saw people get held over at Ft. Sam from the January class, and they were still there trying to pass the PT test at the end of our BOLC class (March-May 2011).

I was misinformed. Things have changed in the pass six years.