Some in the 180th JAOBC [and beyond]have asked me recently to update/talk about what PT is like for us so here goes.

For everyone, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we meet outside of the JAG school for formation around 5:45am. After we have had accountability[basically each squad in the 2 platoons makes sure each member is there or accounted for]we are released to stretch and exercise with our Platoon[each platoon is about 55 people]. If all this platoon, squad stuff sounds foreign, fear not, it did for me as well. But, you'll pick it up quickly. 1SG will make sure of it. ;-)
Each member of the platoon will be responsible for leading PT one morning while in Charlottesville. I did mine a few weeks ago, it was fine though I was told I sounded like a robot. Thanks for the encouragement LT O'Neill. :D

Monday is a shorter run day[2+ miles] so we typically stretch for a few minutes then work on push ups and sit ups for 15-20 minutes. We are then released to run groups.
Our groups are based on how fast you run the 2 mile in the first diagnostic APFT test conducted in Ft. Lee and then reevaluated after the second diagnostic APFT in Charlottesville.
Our class has 8 groups in which all 110 of us are divided.
Wednesday is a shorter version of Monday, sometimes we'll run 3.5 miles sometimes we'll do sprints. We stretch and do some push ups and sit ups
Friday is a  long run day so basically it is just stretching. Last Friday my ran group about 6 miles, but each group is different.

Tuesday and Thursday PT is divided into three groups: those in Airborne/Air Assault, those in remedial PT, and those in regular PT
Regular platoon PT is a whole bunch of push ups, sit ups, overhead claps and other conditioning exercises. I asked a few LT's who are in it and they said it is student lead for the most part and they try to make it both interesting and challenging.

Remedial PT is not a place you want to be. Do yourself a favor and get in shape before you get to Ft. Lee. Remedial is for those who struggled with an aspect of the APFT. Let me tell you, they were exercising near the Airborne/Air Assault PT on our first Zero day, and the remedial people look like they had it just as bad as us! Again, do yourself a favor, if you know you are in the 180th or even the 181st, start exercising now! The whole point of remedial is to get you into better shape as soon as possible, so it is tough.

Airborne/Air Assault is whatever version of Hell the 1SG or Chief deem worthy of inflicting upon us. :D
Last Tuesday we ran O Hill. Twice. If you walked you were out.
Thursday was a 4 mile ruck march for time with 35lbs on your back. A bit of advice, weigh your pack and keep the Teddy Bear and pillow's at home. [ LT Kontry!]
This Tuesday we had 4:55am formation, ran 5 miles in under 50 minutes. For Airborne school you have to run in 45 min or under. Everyone finished in time!! Go 179th! I nearly didn't as I rolled my ankle and fell pretty good at the halfway point. I was stopping and was limping, about to tap out when 1LT Lofton came running by and told me to basically stretch it out and suck it up, which was exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks LT!! I made it back in ~43 min. After the run we spent the remaining 45 minutes doing a version of Zero Day...push ups, sit ups, sprints, repeat.
Today we had a 5 mile ruck march. Again we were required to carry 35lbs and complete the march in 75 minutes or less. It was a challenge. I did it, but it was a challenge. I should mention all of our ruck marches are in full ACU's with either patrol caps or kevlar helmets[if you are competing for Air Assault]. And the August heat and humidity, even at 5 am, feels like a punch in the face. :D Some people seem to be able to get through these marches like they are on a stroll through the park, and then there are others who, like me, are a hot mess at the end.  However, if you go to Air Assault school, you have to be able to march 12 miles in 3 hours or less I think.

As far as advice....I guess I would say keep a positive attitude. I know some of my classmates will likely laugh at that, but it is true! Getting up early and exercising can be a grind but find something positive to focus on. I like to laugh and so I take advantage of the cover of darkness and laugh when LT Ross does the hip rotation for all it's worth or when a certain LT gets yelled at[though not by name, but I see you LT!! ] for the millionth time to bend his front leg when doing the calf stretch or the grumbly biting comments of LT Rieck. Trust me, there is always something to laugh about. Just do it quietly. ;)
OK, so  there really isn't much to laugh about during runs, even I don't find those funny. But I do like getting in better shape and pushing myself to become mentally stronger as well. Just remember, you get out what you put in. I encourage you push yourself farther than you think you can. Move up a run group, go out for Airborne/Air Assault or set some personal goals, that might, at first, seem out of reach. There is a wonderful benefit to working out and running with your classmates in this setting. There is a positive peer pressure that allows you to draw strength from each other and not let each other fail. And try to keep in mind that physical fitness in Army is[obviously] a big deal and can give you[or take away] credibility! When you leave JAOBC and enter the big Army you are going to be a representative of our relatively small Corps. What kind of representative do you want to be?

Finally, sleep. Be prepared to go to bed earlier than you thought anyone over 5 and under 80 should. Trust me, you'll need it!

:D