‘COMMAND FUNCTIONS

‘COMMAND FUNCTIONS

Commanders must evaluate the effectiveness
of physical fitness training
and ensure that it is focused on the
unit’s missions. They can evaluate its
effectiveness by participating in and
observing training, relating their fitness
programs to the unit’s missions,
and analyzing individual and unit APFT
performance.
Leaders should regularly measure
the physical fitness level of every
soldier to evaluate his progress and determine
the success of the unit’s program.
Commanders should assure that
qualified leaders supervise and conduct
fitness training and use their
MFTs, for they have received comprehensive
training in this area.
Commanders must
ensure that the time
alloted for physical
fitness training is used
effectively.
Training times is wasted by the following:
• Unprepared or unorganized leaders.
• Assignment fo a group which us too
large for one leader.
• Insufficient training intensity: it
will result in no improvement.
• Rates of progression that are too
slow or too fast.
• Extreme faomality that usually
emphasizes form over substance.
An example would be too many
units runs at slow paces or "daily
dozen" activities that look impressive
but do not result in impovement.
• Inadequate facilities which cause
long waiting periods between exercises
during a workout and/or between
workouts.
• Long rest periods which interfere
with progress.
Leaders can learn about fitness traini
n g i n t h e f o l l o w i n g w a y s :
• Attend the four-week MFT course
or one-week Exercise Leaders
Course.
• Request a fitness workshop from
the Army Physical Fitness School.
• Become familiar with the Army's
fitness publications. Important examples
include this manual, AR
350-15, and DA Pamphlets 350-15,
350-18, and 350-22.
Commanders must provide adequate
facilities and funds to support a program
which will improve each soldier’s
level of physical fitness. They must
also be sure that everyone participates,
since all individuals, regardless of rank,
age, or sex, benefit from regular exercise.
In some instances, leaders will
need to make special efforts to overcome
recurring problems which interfere
with regular training.
Leaders must also make special efforts
to provide the correct fitness
training for soldiers who are physically
substandard. “Positive profiling”
(DA Form 3349) permits and encourages
profiled soldiers to do as much as
they can within the limits of their
profiles. Those who have been away
from the conditioning process because
of leave, sickness, injury, or travel
may also need special consideration.
Commanders must ensure that the
time allotted for physical fitness training
is used effectively.