Day Twenty-Five - Being Brutally Honest
July 27, 2010
I decided that I would write for a second day in a row for two basic purposes; First, to talk about a subject I know more then just a couple people will be interested to read about (because I wish I had known more about it before I arrived at Ft. Lee) and two, to essentially vent. I know I don't get particularly personal in my blogs, with the exception of my feelings of pride, excitement, nervousness, etc... But today's blog will be less about the experience in general, and more about MY experience, so please excuse the small selfish departure.
Before I begin, I want to thank everyone who is adding their two cents regarding issues of additional training, Reserve/National Guard issues, and experiences beyond JAOBC. Clearly, I do not have any first hand experience with these issues, and thus am not the most qualified person to answer some of the questions forwarded to me. I like that the "comment" section of my blog has turned into somewhat of a discussion, and I encourage it. I know I had a TON of questions before showing up at Ft. Lee, and so I encourage anyone in the classes subsequent to mine to post questions, and either I, or another individual will answer them.
Ok, so what am I talking about in the first paragraph? The last two days have been particularly frustrating because they have marked the notification of the dreaded "Remedial Physical Training." I'm going to call it "Totally Awesome PT" (TAPT), but needless to say it isn't that awesome (at least at first) to find yourself mandated to attend. There are two ways that this happens; First, you fail at least one exercise in your APFT; AND/OR Second, you fail your weigh-in/Body Fat Percentage Test.
This whole experience has essentially dug up the lingering childhood memory of being a heavy kid, and all of the insecurities attached to it. I know that I am not "fat," so please don't think I'm looking for sympathy, and I generally believe myself to be in damn good shape (I did run a 13:32 2-mile), but you can't help but doubt those assumptions when you find yourself being forced to exercise by the Cadre an additional two times a week.
I guess I should start from the beginning, as I've kind of gotten ahead of myself. The who reason that TAPT exists is to ensure that the Army's Soldiers are physically fit according to its bright line measurements. In this case, you prove that you are "in shape" by meeting the minimum requirements for the APFT AND complying with the Height/Weight Standards, and if you don't meet those, then the Body Fat Percentage Standards. Well, when I said I didn't "crush" the PT test last week, what I really meant to say is that I didn't pass it, as I failed the sit-up portion. So, even though I may have scored a 210 out of 300 which IS a passing score (you need above a 180), you still need to make the minimums for each event and I didn't. So that alone requires me to do TAPT. I can't argue with this qualification, the only problem I have with it, is the fact that the push-ups and sit-ups are subjectively counted, and though I don't have an issue with the way mine were counted last week, issues still could and do arise.
The Height/Weight and Body Fat Percentage Standards are something that I don't like at all, but I have to admit, I understand their purpose. The Army has clearly delineated a scale that sets a maximum weight that a soldier must be UNDER based on his/her Height and Age. So for example, I am 27, and I stand (according to the Army scale) 6'1''. The Army schedule states that I should weigh no more then 200lbs. I weigh 233 (again, according to the Army). I don't like these bright line weights because it does not take into account ones body type or musculature, but I do understand the rationale for having a single standard. So, what happens if you don't make weight? You're then "taped" to ascertain your Body Fat Percentage. Now, this process I do take issue with. The only measurements that are used, are the circumference (in inches) around you stomach at the height of your belly-button, AND the circumference of your neck. From there, the Army has a scale, again relative to your age, that then provides a body-fat percentage. There is no way that these measurements can be even remotely accurate. According to my measurements, I have 27% body fat, which means nearly a third of me is fat. In other words, there is 69lbs of fat all over me, and I take serious issue with that statement. But again, the Army loves its bright line standards, and as always I understand the need for them.
So what happens, when, like me, you fail both the weigh-in and the body fat measurement? You get TAPT AND you are counseled by Cadre that you are now on the Army's watch list (the actual provision I can't seem to locate at the moment, but there is a corresponding Army Regulations that provides for this). This means that to keep from have some kind of administrative action taken, I have to begin to lose 3-8lbs a month until I either make weight or meet the body fat percentages. To be totally honest, this is demoralizing, particularly for someone who believes himself to be in very good shape, and quite frankly, NOT fat. It is particularly difficult for one who has always been insecure about his weight and thought he had it under control.
However, there is a silver lining... Actually, several silver linings. First, if you really think about it, extra PT is not that bad of punishment and if you can get over your overbearing pride/ego, you'll probably enjoy it. Second, who doesn't want to get into shape, and having such strict standards to meet actually provides extra motivation. Third, and most importantly, YOU'RE NOT ALONE, in fact, a huge group of my classmates either failed the PT Test or Failed their weigh-in/Body Fat Measurements, and we are all there to support each other. I should also mention that the Cadre is incredibly supportive as well, and are very good at reassuring all of us that with a little hard work, we should be able to meet the stringent Army standards, and the Cadre is going to be right there to help us out. Remarkably, what would normally be such a dismal prospect, becomes an incredible bonding opportunity, where yet even more camaraderie is created.
My battle buddy and I are going so far as to put each other on the so-called Paleo Diet (i.e. eat like a Neanderthal). After our first TAPT session we went to the grocery store and bought all kinds of healthy/primitive foods that cavemen would have eaten, and we've come to an agreement to support each other throughout the process. Essentially, what began as a pity party has essentially turned into an amazing opportunity, and at this very moment, I'm excited to see what happens. My battle buddy and I have also agreed that we would NOT drink until we reached both goals, so I'm hoping he beats me there, so I don't have to wait for him before I can celebrate. I guess these are the sacrifices we make for our friends, and I have plenty of them around me here, they're support is worth more then words can articulate.
Okay, that was my selfish blog entry. Since there were no questions waiting for me, I don't have anything else to write. Until next time, thanks for reading and please post questions, there are no stupid ones, if you have the question, I'm willing to bet 90% of your classmates do too.
Andy
Jul 27, 2010 11:31 PM