The Results of the Army PT Test

So yesterday wrote about my impending Army Physical Fitness Exam. Today, I post the results.

But first, a prelude.

A short while back, my Sergeant informed me that I would be taking a Physical Fitness exam as part of my pre-BCT (Basic Combat Training, A.K.A., "Boot Camp") requirements. If I were to complete all of my tasks before my ship-date, I would be promoted to E-2, which equates to some extra pay and the right to wear a cool stripe on my uniform sleeve. I am shipping out alot quicker than most, so I have less time than most new recruits do to complete all of the tasks. I flew through most of them pretty quickly. The only thing left was the dreaded PT Test.

My recruiter gave me some advice to get into tip-top shape: "Do a set of 50 sit-ups at least 3 times a day. Try to do them all in under 2 minutes," he told me. "Also, do sets of 39 pushups every other day. Do alot of sets. Do them when you wake up. Do them every time you eat. Do them every time you need to go to the bathroom. Do them again before you got to bed. And on the days when you're not doing push-ups, run 2 miles. Try to do it in under 17 minutes."

Now my Sergeant is a freakin' animal. This guy is in awesome shape and can run like water downhill. So of course I took his advice.

My first attempt at sit-ups resulted in me only managing to do 32. The next time I managed to do 50, but it took me 3:26 to complete them all. The last time I did them before my Test, I was able to do 50 in 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Still not fast enough, but a vast improvement over where I started.

My first attempt at push-ups went even worse. I only managed to do 9 push-ups like a man, and had to do the rest of them in the modified (girl) style, and it took me 2:03 to complete. The last set I did before my test, I manged to do 28 man push-ups, finished off the rest modified, and did it all in 1 minute and 11 seconds.

And now for the results.

Now keep in mind, for my particular gender and age group (31 year old male), I must perform at the following minimum standards to pass:

Push-ups: 39 push-ups in 2 minutes
Sit-ups: 45 sit-ups in 2 minutes
2-mile run: Run 2 miles in under 17 minutes.

So I'm pumped and ready to go, but knowing full well that the most push-ups have manage to push out at once up til this point has been 28. I push that thought out of my mind. I visualize success. In my mind, I watch myself on the ground, pushing myself up 39 times. Everyone disappears. The world goes silent. I all can see is the ground. All I can hear is the sound of my muscles screaming to PUSH! PUSH! PUSH!

"On your mark," the Sergeant says.

I drop to my hands and knees.

"Get set," he says.

I pop up into the push-up position.

"GO!"

1, 2, 3, I think.

I watch the ground rise and fall beneath me. I breathe in on the way down. I blow out on the way up.

10, 11, 12.

Don't watch the ground. Look at the wall, I remember. I lift my head and keep pushing.

27, 28, 29. I have broken past my barrier. My arms are getting weak but I keep pushing.

36, 37, 38. I'm struggling and shaking with each push.

I get stuck halfway up on 39. My entire body is trembling. My foot slips, and my knee hits the ground.

"You're done!" says the Sergeant.

I dropped the F-bomb... and it was loud.

Failure in any one event is failure of the entire test. Because of my quick ship-time, that was my one and only chance to pass. My chance at an early promotion when swirling right down the crapper.

Although, I didn't pass the Test, I did finish. I did my sit-ups and my 2-mile run, but at that point it was only training, and no longer a test.

When we returned to the office, my Sergeant told me that he would give me a private test at 0800 on September 17th. That gives me 2 more weeks to get it right. I really want to leave for Basic Training as an E-2. Over the course of the next 3 years of my Army career, passing this test and getting promoted early will equate to an extra $7,200 in base pay alone, not to mention the added benefits, and will bring me that much closer to the next rank of E-3, Private First Class.

Time to go train. HOOAH! I love my job!

Fort Jackson Basic Training Packing List

What to Bring to Army BCT (Basic Combat Training) at Fort Jackson

Clothing

• One set of casual, comfortable clothing - No halter tops or ragged shorts
• Three sets of underwear (White) - One packing list I have states specifically that they must be "tighty-whities" and NOT boxers or boxer briefs.
  
• One pair of white, calf-length athletic socks - No color bands, designs or logos
• One pair of comfortable athletic shoes - Should be running shoes. Do not buy new shoes to take with you. You will be required to purchase a pair of running shoes from the Army while you are in processing.
  
• Eyeglasses - No faddish/stylish eyewear. Leave your sunglasses at home, folks. People who require prescription glasses will be given a pair of BCG's courtesy of the US Army. BCG means Birth Control Glasses. They are called birth control glasses because they are the ugliest goddamned glasses you have ever seen in your life. You have absolutely zero chance of getting laid with these things on. On the upside, these glasses are nearly indestructible. Though you cannot survive a nuclear blast, your BCG's probably would.
• Athletic supporter (males only) - I've got to clarify here, I've heard people ask, "What's an athletic supporter?" It's a jock-strap, where you would put your "cup" to protect your nuts.
  
• Luggage should be limited to one small suitcase or gym bag.
• Two locks (combination or padlock with 2 keys) - Don't get the locks with keys. You'll have enough shit to remember and lug around with you for 9 weeks without having to worry about what the hell to do with your keys. Get combo locks. And here's a tip: Buy the 2-pack of combo locks. I got mine at Target. You get two locks, both with the same combination. Now that's one less thing that you've got to remember. With all the shit you've got to remember, you'll thank me and yourself later for the 2-pack of combo locks!
  

Toiletries

• Disposable / safety razor with blades - Nothing electric, like the battery operated vibrating Mach razors.
  
• Shaving cream (optional for women) - Non-aerosol
  
• Toothbrush with clear carrying case - CLEAR carrying case. Shit... mine's yellow. Note to self: find a clear carrying case.
  
• Hairbrush or 6" black comb
• Shampoo - 3 ounces in a clear bottle will do
  
• Two washcloths and one brown towel
• Non-aerosol antiperspirant - Now this is what's on the official list, but this is also an area of confusion. Another list states that it must be a deodorant and can NOT contain antiperspirant. The reasoning for this clearly stated that we can NOT wear antiperspirant because it stops us from sweating, and sweating is VITAL in cooling your body and preventing heat related injuries.
  
• Black shower shoes - Means black flip-flops. MUST BE BLACK!
  
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Soap with clear carrying case
• Nail clippers

Money*

• A minimum $10.00 - but No More Than $50.00 in Cash
• Traveler's Checks or Money Orders
• ATM Card or Personal Checks

*You will be given an advance pay for any required purchases.

For Women Only

• Undergarments:
  • 8 underwear (cotton recommended, White or Neutral)
  • 6 sports bras
  • flesh tone nylons
• Hairstyles not appropriate in uniform: ponytail, extreme bouffant styles, exotic upsweeps, and corkscrew or "corn-row" styles.
• You may wear quarter-inch or smaller pearl, gold, silver, or diamond spherical earrings, only with Army "dress" uniforms.

Documents You Need To Bring with You

• Social Security Card
• Driver's License
• Direct Deposit Form - 1199 signed by a bank official, or the name, address and account number and routing number of your financial institution.
  

If applicable, notarized copies of your:

• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Decree
• Separation Order
• Birth Certificates for all children under 18
• Affidavit of Support for Parents
  
• Court documents
• Direct deposit forms if ordered to pay spousal and/or child support. Ask your recruiter for full details.
  
• Proof of Citizenship (aliens only).
  
• The name, Social Security Number, and Military Address of your spouse if you are married to another service member.
  
• Copies of your lease agreement or rental contract for any dependents residing outside of government quarters.
  
• Documentation of any ROTC experience.
  
• College transcripts.

Your Orders

Be sure to have all copies of your orders and documents issued by your unit recruiter or the Military Entrance Processing Station. These orders must be hand-delivered by you. Travel and meal tickets will be provided.

What NOT to Bring

• Prohibited Items, Do not bring these items with you to Fort Jackson:
  • Weapons
  • Drugs or narcotics
  • Alcoholic beverages and empty containers
  • Counterfeit money
  • Tobacco products
  • Pornographic items
  • Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic communication devices
  • CD players and walkman-type devices
  • Body jewelry
  • Contact lenses
    
• Retained Items, These items should not be brought with you, but may be turned in for safe keeping at the OWNER'S RISK
  • Knives
  • Gambling devices
  • Suggestive items and pictures
  • Un-opened over-the-counter drugs
• These items should be retained by individual
  • Prescription drugs with a written prescription