By Stars & Stripes reporter Jeff Schogol has volunteered to take the new Army PT Test and here is what he found out:
Staff Sgt. David L. Rispress has seen all kinds of out-of-shape recruits during his two years as a drill sergeant.
Then he met me.
On Tuesday, the Army unveiled two new proposed tests to measure soldiers’ physical fitness and combat readiness. If approved by the Army chief of staff, they would replace the current Army physical fitness test.
My job was to see how tough these exercises are, not an easy feat considering that when I did physical therapy for my legs growing up, I felt most comfortable working out with stroke victims because we ran about the same pace.
Throwing caution to the wind, I showed up at Fort Jackson in my cargo pants and wicker shirt that leaves far too little to the imagination.
First, drill sergeants demonstrated the physical fitness test, going from the shuttle run to the long jump, and knocking out push-ups seemingly effortlessly. Then two soldiers ran through the combat test, which includes an obstacle course. [Stars & Stripes]
You can read the rest about how Jeff did with the new PT Test at the link to include a video of his efforts.
5:09 am on March 2nd, 2011 1
I commend the reporter for his efforts. An upgrade to the PT test has been needed for many years. Lets face it, when you need to put up a GP medium, unload or load a conex, you didn't seek out the guys or girls that maxed their three events in PT test.
When was the last time you needed to run two miles? Yea! Your last PT test! Kind a like Algebra for most of us.
6:01 am on March 2nd, 2011 2
What, no horizontal ladder or grenade throw?
9:37 am on March 2nd, 2011 3
Plus the standard will not be seperated by gender apparently.
10:57 am on March 2nd, 2011 4
I and my litter were DROPPED by two females in Balad back in 2005. They didn't even give me time to tell them I could walk. Just hurried up and dropped me. Doc was laughing so hard I thought he might need some help himself, after I got up.
12:28 pm on March 2nd, 2011 5
"A sucker is born every minute"
How much does the Army Times cost these days? $2.00 WTF? What person would pay that much for that piece of crap. I'll tell you, the new Soldier. The only reason Soldiers buy the thing is they think it affects them personally. The AT does that by posting "Promotion Scores-See if You Made It" or some other non-sense that is easily found. But once those young Soldiers see the "Attraction Caption" on the front of the Army times, their eyes get wide and they shell out the dough. The same tactics are used by car dealers on 41A and businesses on Victory Drive. I remember 4 other occasions the AT ran a front page with "new PT test" on the cover. I have never bought an AT and I never will.
2:41 pm on March 2nd, 2011 6
41A —
Pawn shops, used cars, used korean women working in (so-called) Bars. Home of the "puckin chicken".
3:43 pm on March 5th, 2011 7
Here's a different kind of PT.
6:43 am on May 26th, 2011 8
Gotta test em if you want the strong.
8:36 am on May 26th, 2011 9
Since when was a fast runner also a strong individual. Never saw that in my twenty years.
Need to test the troops on their ability to do what is required of them. (pickin up chit) (carrying chit).
I maxed the push-up event, but I never needed to do a push-up during my duties. I needed to load trucks and put up tents. Since most females could do neither, they were USELESS during exercies and going to the field. But so were Officers —