Physical Training (PT)

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The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is designed to test the muscular strength/endurance and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of soldiers in the United States Army. Soldiers are given a score based on their performance in three events consisting of the push-up (PU), sit-up (SU), and a two-mile run. Possible scores range from 0 to 100 points in each event. A passing score is a total of 180 or higher with a minimum score of 60 in each event. Army Field Manual (FM) 21-20 covers the administration of the APFT, as well as ways to conduct personal, squad and unit level physical training (PT) sessions and will be performed by close out formation.

A soldier is required to take a "record" (meaning for official records) APFT at least twice each calendar year. If, due to a diagnosed medical condition, a soldier is temporarily unable to conduct one or more of the events in the record APFT, the soldier can be granted an extension to allow him or her to overcome his or her injury and return to an acceptable level of physical fitness. If a soldier has a permanent medical condition that keeps him or her from conducting the two mile run, an alternate aerobic event (2.5 mile walk, 800 yard swim, or 6.2 mile bike) is taken. There are no alternate events for the push-up or sit-up.

All events are conducted in accordance with standards detailed in chapter 14 of FM 21-20. Prior to the start of each event, the standard is read aloud from the FM. Then the reader will call 'Demonstrator Post'. A soldier, usually a grader or someone not performing the test, will demonstrate the correct exercise. He or she will then demonstrate the incorrect exercise and any disqualifying behaviors noted in the FM.

Scoring soldiers who are required to take an alternate aerobic event is slightly different. Scoring for alternate aerobic events is either GO or NO-GO (pass or fail) and is based on the gender and age of the individual. For the purposes of promotion, a soldier's score on an alternate event equals the average of their push-up and sit-up scores.

External Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Physical_Fitness_Test

Army Physical Training: Push ups


Caption: The push-up event measures the endurance of the chest, shoulder, and triceps muscles. On the command ‘get set,’ assume the front-leaning rest position by placing your hands where they are comfortable for you. Your feet may be together or up to 12 inches apart. When viewed from the side, your body should form a generally straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. On the command ‘go,’ begin the push-up by bending your elbows and lowering your entire body as a single unit until your upper arms are at least parallel to the ground.

Army Physical Test once every 6 months


Caption: Failure to pass consecutive record APFTs can ultimately lead to separation from the US Army, although this is not always the case. Soldiers who have failed an APFT are often put into a remedial program, which essentially is just a second daily session of PT. An APFT failure also results in the soldier being flagged which make them ineligible for promotion and attendance to military training and/or schools. Although a popular misconception, per Army Regulation governing suspension of favorable actions, a soldier cannot be denied an award or decoration due to an APFT failure.