By: Mattie Cook
Cadet Hunter Neu, Georgia Military College, begins the two-mile run portion of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on Fort Knox, Ky., July 14. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
Fort Knox, Ky.,-Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp put their physical skills to the test Fort Knox during their Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) July 14.
Standards for the APFT are set based on age and gender, with the minimum standard for each event set at 60 points. For males, the minimum standard is 42 pushups, 53 sit-ups and the two-mile run in less than 15 minutes and 54 seconds. For females, the minimum standard is 19 pushups, 53 sit-ups and the two-mile run in less than 18 minutes and 48 seconds.
Cadet Hunter Neu, Georgia Military College, GA., says he makes physical training (PT) a part of his daily routine.
“Personally, I prepare every day. We do PT here everyday but at home I like to get up on my own and do it,” Neu said. “The PT test is something I love to wake up to because I don’t have to be in uniform. I can be in shorts and a t-shirt, but I also love running. When I’m home I run 5-10 miles almost everyday. While we’re here we’re doing more push-ups, sit-ups and tactical training so I love to run when I can.”
With standards to meet, Cadets are striving to not only meet the minimum but surpass it.
“If you’re in a rest position, you’re wasting just as much energy as you are doing the exercise so why not just get down and get back up.” Neu said.
Cadet Caleb Koonce, Marion Military Institute, completes the push-ups portion of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on Fort Knox, Ky., July 14. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
Each event and skill Cadets learn at Cadet Summer Training (CST) has an overall objective and detailed lessons within that objective. For the APFT, Cadets are being tested on their physical fitness, but they can also learn a thing or two about supporting each other when things get hard; a trait important for future Army leaders.
“Motivation is the key to getting through all this. Motivation is what gets you through the hard times when the drill sergeants drop you or when you’re hungry or anything like that. Motivation is what pushes you through,” Neu said.
5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets are on day 17 of CST with their field training exercise still yet to complete.
