FA+
Shop
PT Testing
14 years ago
Your humble Narrator took his annual PT test this morning (I passed easily, so this isn't a rant about the process).
I know each base seems to do it differently and at this particular location, you are paired up by jersey number and count the other person's reps, then the person you counted for moves down and someone else counts for you, all under the watch of 2 to 3 HAWC employees.
The guy I counted for during both the push-up and the sit-up portion was, admittedly, not in the best shape. And while he managed to make it on the push-ups, he missed the sit-up minimum. By three. When the HAWC individual asked for his total, I gave it and thus...regardless of whatever else he did, the guy was going to get an UNSAT.
Now the question I pose to you, because it was minorly remarked upon when I returned to work was, should I have fudged the info to "help a brother out"? With as much weight as we currently have on the ole PT system, should I have let it slide? I personally don't think so. I didn't ask for help or expect a hand out. I did my test, got my scores, and passed legit. Yet some people say I shouldn't have been "an asshole"?
Was I an asshole for not spotting him 3? Should I reward an apparent lack of physical effort? Would any of YOU have given a false number, even if it was to help a buddy not fail?
Just something I thought up that might be relevant.
~The Management
I know each base seems to do it differently and at this particular location, you are paired up by jersey number and count the other person's reps, then the person you counted for moves down and someone else counts for you, all under the watch of 2 to 3 HAWC employees.
The guy I counted for during both the push-up and the sit-up portion was, admittedly, not in the best shape. And while he managed to make it on the push-ups, he missed the sit-up minimum. By three. When the HAWC individual asked for his total, I gave it and thus...regardless of whatever else he did, the guy was going to get an UNSAT.
Now the question I pose to you, because it was minorly remarked upon when I returned to work was, should I have fudged the info to "help a brother out"? With as much weight as we currently have on the ole PT system, should I have let it slide? I personally don't think so. I didn't ask for help or expect a hand out. I did my test, got my scores, and passed legit. Yet some people say I shouldn't have been "an asshole"?
Was I an asshole for not spotting him 3? Should I reward an apparent lack of physical effort? Would any of YOU have given a false number, even if it was to help a buddy not fail?
Just something I thought up that might be relevant.
~The Management
Never thought that much about the topic, but spotting someone on something that's repeatedly made out to be a big deal just feels wrong. I've always believed in the old adage my sergeants always tell me, "You're only cheating yourself."
Now if the guy was one failure away from being discharged, then MAYBE I might have CONSIDERED possibly thinking about spotting him, but failing several evals before that one should've been a huge heads up to TRY before it came to that at least...
I used to work in the Legal Office so I have a unique perspective on such matters. There has to be a tremendous amount of documentation of failures, encouragement, disciplinary actions, etc. before a discharge can be initiated. A person who's been given as many chances and as much support isn't going to sway me.
I felt a little sorry for them, but I had to tell the truth, and two out of three civilians were watching them closely and not accepting half of there reps, so I couldn't lie about it even if I wanted to.
the real problem is the civilians in the first place, its a real slap in the face when I have to stay in shape to keep my career when a 350lb civilian with a 45" waste thinks they know how to do a push-up, sit-up, or even finish the 1-1/2 mile.
my last test they only accepted 39 out of my 50 push-ups because either my chest didn't touch the ground at a 135 degree angle, or my arms didn't lock until they were practically backwards.