New Army PT Test

The United States Army has been retooling its PT (physical training) processes and now is announcing a new PT test. The announcement according to the press release will include the new APRT (Army Physical Readiness Test) and the ACRT (Army Combat Readiness Test). The goal is to make PT more representative of the physical demands of combat.

Excerpt from the release:

The current PT test, which consists of two minutes of pushups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two-mile run, has remained unchanged since 1980.
“Today’s PT test does not adequately measure components of strength, endurance, or mobility. The events have a low correlation to the performance of warrior tasks and battle drills and are not strong predictors of successful physical performance on the battlefield or in full spectrum operations,” said Hertling.

 See the full press release here. And check back tomorrow for an update on the new PT test.

By the Numbers

Name: Bradley Smith
Age: 32
Height: 66.5 inches
Weight: 208 lbs
Abdomen: 39 in
Neck: 17.5 in
Army Body Fat Calc: 24%

PT Scores
Push ups: 42
Sit ups: 42
2 Mile Run: 17:26

Every week I will post a "By the Numbers" section. This will be one method of measuring my progress in this endeavor of improving my physical conditioning. I know it will require hard work and dedication but I have done it before and I am confident I can do it again.

I will not do a PT test every week to compare so it will only likely appear in the "numbers" when I am testing. I may use different criteria based upon my workout so that I can accurately measure results of my workout. I may measure chest, arms, legs, whatever the workouts are targeting.

Knowledge: I want to share a useful site that soldiers use when preparing for the PT test or needing to gage their performance. The site is 550cord.com and it allows one to see how they compare against the Army standard for the PT test and weight compliance.

Intro to Me

Here I am in all my glory. My name is Bradley Smith and I currently hold the rank of Sergeant (E-5) in the Missouri National Guard. I have two children, a step-child, a dog, and a ferret. My civilian job is administrative assistant at the University of Missouri. It is a desk job so it is very easy to put on a few pounds if I'm not disciplined about my workout habits.

I have a history of being very active followed by long periods of sedentary living often dictated by long hours at work and too many commitments in my personal life without enough commitment to working out. I went to college at 145 lbs and within 10 years was a whopping 235 pounds. I was very ashamed of my condition and I took steps to control my eating but I was not yet committed to exercise.

In the Winter of 2009 I decided to change all of that. I made a commitment to my health and pushed my self physically toward a goal of becoming fit enough to join the Army. I dropped from 215 pounds to 170 pounds in 20 weeks, thanks to closely monitoring my diet and 4 - 5 hours per week working out. I began with a regiment of cardio and interval training and eventually moved to weights and calisthenics. I tested myself against the Army standards for the Army Physical Fitness Test and enlisted.

I physically prepared myself for the rigors of military training and graduated Basic training that summer. That same fall I graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate of my class from W Company at Fort Lee, Virginia. All my hard work resulted in confidence and the ability to perform at a high level. I was physically and mentally prepared for success in Army life.

However upon returning home I become complacent. Within a few months of returning home I gained twenty pounds and saw a decrease in my PT test performance. I worked out enough to pass my tests but not enough to keep the weight off or maintain my good PT scores. A year after returning home from the Army training I weighted 200 pounds.

I used to be very active, I found my way back again and now I want to assure myself that I will not have to fight this fight again.

Motivation: Change habits and career to promote a health lifestyle with considerable activity. It will ensure that I win the battle with my weight, improve my military career, and make me a more confident and satisfied person.

The New Gig

I am trying something new. I'm trying to work out and get in better conditioning but I'm trying to do it with a focus on helping others do the same thing. I am considering a career change and I am interested in personal training and helping others improve themselves. I am big on self-improvement and I think I can improve myself physically, financially, and help others.

I know what it is to be healthy and I know what it is to be heavy. What I want to do is develop a sustainable program to ensure that I can stay healthy and be happy. I then want to help others obtain that same goal. I want to lead by example, inspire, motivate, and educate others in fitness and help them find satisfaction in their lives.

I intend to pursue certification (perhaps multiple certifications) as a personal trainer. This will help me obtain the Army's new Physical Readiness Trainer designation and help me contribute to both the military and civilian needs for physical fitness.

Philosophy Statement:
Four elements will contribute to my success: Knowledge, Motivation, Nutrition, and Positive Mental Attitude
Knowledge - to gain information of the best methods for proper nutrition, exercise, and leading in fitness.
Motivation - to maintain high levels energy and passion for my purpose. Persistence for the cause.
Nutrition - proper consumption of food, nutrients, and supplements.
Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) - maintaining the morale and mindset to face the challenges before me.

What I Envision:
Better Conditioning: I serve in the military it is my responsibility to maintain myself and my combat readiness.
Learning to Lead Fitness: I want to translate military leadership and experience into civilian leadership
Inspire Others: I want to lead by example and inspire others by my efforts and results
Educate and Inform: I want to find a better way to fitness and share that information with others.

What I Will Do:
Nutrition Journal: I will maintain a nutrition journal detailing what I eat on a regular basis.
Exercise Journal: I will maintain an exercise journal detailing what activities were completed on a regular basis.
Share Information:  I will share information using multi-media to reinforce the philosophy and further the goal.
Update Results: I will inform my audience of the outcomes of my efforts.