After reading the thread in General Army Topics about changing the Army's physical training, it got me to thinking.

I have an 11x contract and plan on adding an Option 40 to it. I've been told to get at least 80 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, and the 2-mile in under 13 minutes.

But where should I be as far as strength goes? Please don't bulls**t me, I want to be ready. As of now I'm only 130 lbs. (5'8"), dead-lift 240 lbs. or so, bench press 160 lbs., no idea what I squat. How about rucking? What's realistic for Infantry units to need to do?

I'm NOT a good sprinter. I think I can run 100M in like 0:19.

So please, don't be afraid to hurt my feelings. I want to be physically prepared. I know where I am now, I can find a way to get where you say I need to be, but where is that? What physical levels do I need to reach?

Just to reiterate this, can we please drop the PC explanations from this and just give me some real goals based on experience in the Infantry?

Thanks a ton, looking forward to beginning training on Monday.

-CentralTMC

The scores you were told to get would be a 300 (perfect) on a PT test. It's not the standard, if it was, there would be alot of guys losing their jobs. But it's definitely something you want. I've been in for a couple years and my best is still a 265 because I can't do sit-ups to save my life.

I would say my platoon is pretty "high-speed", yet there are only a few guys who actually have 300's on their PT tests. I attribute this to the fact that we do platoon runs everyday for PT and we work on push-ups and sit-ups only if their is a PT test coming up. Most joes aren't motivated to do PT on their own time, probably because there is so little free time in the Army anyways.

In regards to the possible "new" standards for physical training, I've never lifted weights in the Army (I think it's counter-effective to infantry-type work) and I can barely do 3 pull-ups, yet I get along just fine.

As for rucking, you will need a strong back. They will get your back nice and strong in basic training, and they do it in increments - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mile ruck marches.

I'll give you my input on this and I am being honest here.

1. USASOC Forum is probably where you should post something like this after searching existing posts for answers and reading the rules of the Forum first.

2. Find a recent Ranger school attendee and talk to them face to face. I can tell from your post your nervous about this....you need to talk to someone face to face so you can gauge their reactions to your questions and ask a followup based on their body language AND response. Internet sucks for this.

Infantry officers usually have to attend the Ranger course shortly after OCS or after their regular officer training so you should not have a problem finding one in Ohio close to your house. Your Army Recruiter might be able to help you out there as well. If you can't find someone locally then logon to www.armyocs.com and find a newbie LT or one still at Ft. Benning that is getting ready for the school.....not the purpose of this OCS website but you can network via one of them to talk to a Ranger school attendee.

If you go via the internet you could possibly end up on a obnoxious website filled with obnoxious posters more interested in attacking then helping people (we haven't seen this before ...have we?). I didn't have Nobel Prize Winner Al Gore's Internet to search. I had to do one-on-one talking to people when I signed up in 1982 and 1984. It's the best way even today. Find a local National Guard unit or find a Recruiting Office with Hometown recruiting that you can sit down and talk with someone about this. Also use the Forums on GoArmy.com and other websites that you know are fairly responsibly run. GoArmy.com has some Active Duty jerks on it. Most seem OK though.

3. Don't get too nervous when you read the Army is changing it's approach to PT or physical fitness, this is a proposal. Which means implementation next year at the very earliest probably in 2010. Thats if it ever gets beyond discussion stage.

4. Nobody held back on any previous advice you were given. I don't think.

quote:

Originally posted by firstroundko108:
I've been in for a couple years and my best is still a 265 because I can't do sit-ups to save my life.

Thanks for being honest with him because more then once I have read a response from a Internet PT Stud who can probably do far less then you. Thats why I dislike this medium for questions like this.

When I was in they only really cared if you could score over 250. Maxing the PT test barely 40-50% of the company at the very most could do that. It was probably a smaller percentage but my memory is foggy it was so long ago.

PT overall, I would say that if you can score around a 260 or above you will be ok, but remember, the higher the score the less your NCO's will ride you. I hate running. It sucks. I HATE IT, but it has to be done. No one expects you to be a freakin marathon runner. If you can run at least 14 min 2 mile I would say you are good. And be able to hang in on a nice paced 5 miler. Rucking, the standard is 35lbs. Infantrymen usually carry a retarded amount that far exceeds that. if you can put about 50-60 on your back and move out you are ok. Now if it's the every 3 month 12 mile footmarch then 35 is all you need. The only way to get good at humping is just to do it over and over. One thing I have noticed is that a foot march is the great equalizer. the guys who can run at the speed of light seem to suck a little more on a road march than the slower guys.

Well, thanks for the answers. I guess I'll work on back strength then and putting on a little size.

My recruiter gave me a mini-PT test the other day. I did 52 push-ups, 61 sit-ups, and ran a 6:33 mile. So I still have a LOT of room to improve.

Thanks again.

I suggest rope-climbing, pull-ups and chin-ups.
You need to be able to pull your body with your arms.
Sprinting stairs is good indurence training along with jumping rope.
If you live in a city with a tall building, run the stairs and take the elevator down, but do push-ups whle waiting on the elevator.

overhand (pull up)
underhand (chin up).

Good luck.

It is definetly a good idea to get in as good of shape as possible before basic. But don't get crazy with it.

crossfit.com , it may not get you to a 300(but it should), but you will get an overall fitness that doing regular army pt wont get you. the program is accepted by SEALS, Green Berets, Marine Corps, and is starting to gain alot of traction in the Army