I just got injured, I won't be able to take the general testing offered, will I lose my Military Standards Membership?

No, we are reasonable. Military Standards Members who are injured have six months after medical clearance to test again. This is similar to pregnancy. Individual exams can always be scheduled, and are especially prioritized for examiners.

I am a member of the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force, will you provide my PT testing results to OEP since they are now instituting physical readiness standards.

Yes, even if you do not qualify to become a Military Standards Member, and your PT test was sufficient to meet the CCRF standards, we will provide them with a copy of your test results as well as your height and weight.

Will my CCRF physical fitness results and height and weight standards be sufficient to qualify me as a Military Standards Member?

No, the easiest of our standards are the current US Navy readiness requirements. These are slightly more difficult than the current CCRF standard. Also, Military Standards Members must qualify semiannually.

My duty station is in Alaska, but I would like to become a Military Standards Member, what should I do?

You should use the timed video tape option and follow the instructions (carefully) for documenting your qualifications exam. We are committed to do everything possible to see that all Commissioned Corps Officers become Military Standards Members. If you pass your test using the video option for one year, we also recommend that you apply to become a designated Examiner for the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers.

Does the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers provide physical training?

Not at this time. The Army's web pages are an excellent source for gaining advise on how to train for your PT test. The Army has its own Physical Fitness School, has poured thousands of research hours, compiled statistics and norms on hundreds of thousands of service personnel for over 50 years, and consulted military and civilian exercise physiologists to construct the APTF. Their scoring charts are both fair and challenging. Like most armed forces PT tests, the APTF is also fairly generic, in that it requires no specialized equipment. The Army's Physical Fitness School publicizes their information regularly and comprehensively. Any Commissioned Corps Officer can access this information by web and know what is expected of him/her at the time of their PT test. The APTF standard is tougher as of February 1, 1999, but has become a keen determiner of physical fitness regardless of gender and age. In fact, more older age categories have been included for correct assessment of these individuals' physical fitness.

I'm over 50 years of age, and wish to use the Navy PRT to qualify for membership, sombody told me that I don't have to take the Navy PRT test because their standards make it optional; is this true?

According to the Bureau of Naval Personnel's instruction OPNAV 6110/2, "All members are required to participate in the PRT and conditioning programs, if medically cleared to do so. Physical readiness testing is optional for service members 50 years of age and older. Members 50 years and older shall participate in body composition testing and mandatory weekly exercise".

Since this is the standard set by the Navy, those members 50 years of age and older must meet height/weight requirements, demonstrate that they engage in regular physical training, and may take the Navy PRT as an option. However, recently the Navy standards have changed (as of May 2000) and now the PRT is not an option for members 50 years and older. Because of the age group being considered, the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers will impose a 1 year moratorium before the new Navy standards are implemented (in May 2001).

Why do you administer so many different types of PT Tests?

Up to a quarter of Commissioned Officers were previous members of the military. These officers may wish to utilize former training techniques they used to pass their PT tests, and take the PT test they are most familiar with. Also, many officers take pride in the fact that they are still able to meet the PT standards of their former service, we would like to acknowledge this as well.

How much time must pass before I take my second semiannual qualification exam?

Four months is the minimum time allowed between exams, and no more than eight months before the next exam must be taken.

Can I qualify for PT test with the Air Force PFT?

Not presently. The Air Force PFT is based on the Air Force Instruction 40-501 (physical fitness) and Air Force Instruction 40-502 (weight management). According to their policy, Air Force personnel are tested annually for body weight, and endurance on an ergometer. We do not know how to conduct their test, or own an ergometer. Its simply a matter of resources. Furthermore, if we included Air Force PFT the timed-video option would be very difficult to evaluate. Our understanding is that the Air Force is currently considering a new PFT test, and is in the process of evaluating this test at some facillities. When their PFT becomes more practical for us, we'll add it to our options.

Can I qualify for PT with the Marine's PFT?

Yes. If you test at the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers we will use the Navy PRT, the Army PFT, Coast Guard or Marines PFT. If your test is completed correctly, whatever branch you select will be entered on your record (eg., Your Name, PT score, Army, Navy, 1st Class Marine, etc.).

I would like to qualify for the PT test by taking the Navy PRT, however, I am a swimmer, and therefore I would like to take the swimming option for the endurance part of the test. Is this possible?

Yes. If you test at the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers in person we will test you using the running option only. However, you may select the video option for the Navy PRT and choose either the 500 yard or 450 meter swim test for the endurance part of the Navy PRT.

I will be able to participate in person at the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers for the uniform inspection, Honor the Colors Ceremony, and the UCMJ part of the exam, but I would rather take the Navy PRT with the swimming test by video. Is this possible?

Yes, you may submit the video separately for review. The same holds true for those who wish to qualify using the Marine PFT, since we may not offer this test as frequently as the Navy PRT or Army PFT. You must bring the video with at the time of your exam.

Are there significant differences between the various service branch's PT tests?

Technically speaking yes. Practically speaking, not a lot if you're in shape. Armed Forces PT tests are designed to determine whether you are physically fit. By strict level of difficulty the Navy is the easiest, followed by the Army and then the Marines. For example, a 35 year old male taking the Navy PRT must be able to touch his toes while seated on the ground, run 1.5 miles in 15:30, do 23 push-ups, and do 32 curl-ups in order to pass. The same 35 year old male by Army standards must run two miles in 17:42, do 36 push-ups, and do 45 sit-ups for the minimum passing score (60) on each test.

However, when doing PT training, one customarily overtrains due to the fact that there may be a few misses during a test. Since most people perform better than the minimum passing score on PT tests, the minimum standards are probably set lower to account for "off days" or slight injuries. One caveat to this would be the Marines' PFT. Most people agree that their test is more difficult. Marines strive to achieve a "first class" PFT score. Acceptable is a "third class" PFT performance, although Marine commanding officers encourage progression towards the goal of achieving a first class PFT. The same 35 year old male would have to do 3 pull ups, do 45 sit ups, and run 3 miles in 26:20 to achieve just a 3rd class PFT designation in the Marines.

My duty station is in Atlanta. I know of a couple of other officers that would also like to qualify as Military Standards Members. What do you recommend?

We encourage you to start your own unit of the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers. Our ambition is that all Commissioned Corps Officers become Military Standards Members and we are therefore committed to facilitating this in any way possible. To start out with, one examiner is necessary to qualify a second. A unit should have two examiners. Each examiner qualifies the other examiner. In order to become an examiner, one person must first qualify with the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers (either by visit, or video option). Subsequently, you will submit documentation on your exams (specific requirements will be provided) and qualifications of new Military Standards Members. You will receive our certificates, badges and awards, from the main branch (when they are available).

My overall APFT score is 200, but I didn't pass, what happened?

180 is the passing score for the APFT provided that you achieved a minimum of 60 on each of three events, two mile run, pushups and situps. You cannot perform well on one part to make up for substandard performance on another.

My overall APFT score is 270, but I didn't qualify for a Fitness Training Badge, why?

You must achieve a 90 on each event. For example, (by APTF standards) receiving 100 on pushups, 100 on situps, and 70 on the two mile run will not qualify for the Fitness Training Badge.

I earned a Fitness Training Badge, but I just got a piece of paper in the mail, where's my badge?

At this time there is no official badge to wear on your uniform, however, we award you with the certificate which will serve to document your achievement when an official badge is designated by the Division of Commissioned Personnel.

On the APFT, I scored a 270 (90 in each event) in the spring, but scored a 235 in the fall, am I eligible for the fitness training badge?

Yes, you must pass the PT test semiannually, but at least one PT test each year has to be a 270 or above.

Is it possible to score better than 300 on the APFT?

Some people can achieve better than max on certain events. This is usually the case with women who are good with push-ups. We will acknowledge these top performers and fitness badge holders publicly.

I did 50 pushups but my examiner only counted 45, what happened?

You didn't gain sufficient arm extensions to break the plane on 5 pushups, or your arms were not parallel to the ground. Examiners only count good pushups.

I just found out that I am pregnant. Do I still have to qualify semiannually to be a military standards member?

No, if you are pregnant, and are currently a Military Standards Member, you will not have to re-qualify during your pregnancy. You must re-qualify six months after you deliver your baby. This is the same standard as the Armed Forces. If you are not a Military Standards Member, you cannot use pregnancy as a waiver to qualify and become a Military Standards Member; you will wait until six months after delivery to qualify and become a member.

I exercise regularly, keep a fitness log, participate in charity runs regularly, and consider myself in good shape; can't I just turn in a fitness log and documentation about my athletic activities to make the PT qualification?

No, you must take the PT test. Besides your running, the test will also require you to perform a minimum number of pushups and situps (or curl-ups) for your age and gender. We don't doubt that you are in good shape, however, qualifying semiannually is the standard set by military uniformed services.

I'm an Officer in the Inactive Reserve Corps; I am not supposed to wear the uniform unless I am active duty status, so how can I participate in the uniform inspection and Honor the Colors Ceremony?

According to Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual (CC46.3-INST 1, Section E, Number 5), officers of the Reserved Corps in inactive duty status and retired officers can wear the uniforms on occasions of ceremony. Our Honor the Colors Ceremony is a public testimony that affirms your devotion as a uniformed service member to our country, as well as your respect of the flag. In the event of a national emergency, many Inactive Reserve Corps officers may be called to active duty, and retired officers may return to active duty. Their status as Military Standards Members helps to ensure that they have adequate physical fitness, that they own and maintain a service dress uniform, have familiarity with the UMCJ, and have at least twice a year demonstrated proper military etiquette in a public ceremony.

I'm an experienced PHS officer. I participate in many uniformed events, ceremonies, and probably know more about military etiquette than most military officers. I am not very physically inclined, and resent the fact that the PT test would disqualify me from becoming a Military Standards Member, can't exceptions be made for certain people?

We appreciate your respect and demonstrated knowledge for military protocol and etiquette. We could probably use a person with your knowledge as a consultant for this organization. However, the purpose of this organization is to ensure that Military Standards Members meet the same standards as members of other uniformed services, such as the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines. Like most people (including members of the Armed Forces) passing the PT test is probably the major obstacle in achieving military standards. The fact is that you do not have to be a great athlete to pass the PT test, just physically fit.

In the armed forces, there are occassions where individuals are profiled due to illness or injury. In most cases, these individuals are given a modified form of the PT test based on a physician's recommendation. Currrently, we simply do not have the resources to administrate this type of option. Miltary Standards Members must make the PT qualifications.

I ride an exercise bike and use a stair climber to stay in shape. I do this because its much easier on my joints, and easier to maintain a fitness schedule during inclement weather. When I tried the Navy PRT timed 1.5 mile run recently, I was surprised to find that my time would not have qualified, I'm aerobically fit, but can't pass the running part of the PT test, is this fair?

This is a common mistake. Many people have good cardiovascular endurance because they train with tae-bo, aerobics, bicycling, stair-climbing, etc., but perform substandard on the timed run test. Our standards are those prescribed by the Armed Forces. We recommend that you train specifically for their PT test events, and not expect your excellent conditioning from other activities to transfer over. Officers who have joint problems may wish to qualify for the endurance part of the PT test by taking the Navy timed 500 yard or 450 meter swimming test using the timed-video option.

I'm retired from the Commissioned Corps, can I become a Military Standards Member?

Retired officers can choose to qualify for the Military Standards Membership, their uniform (and regulations) requirement at the time of their retirement is the one they should wear for inspection and Honor the Colors Ceremony.

I already passed my PT test in the Army, do I have to take the qualification exam to join your organization?

No, members of Armed Forces already maintain military standards, we will only need a copy of a current ID card, and your fee, for you to be a member of this organization.

I'm a Commissioned Corps Officer of the USPHS assigned to the Coast Guard. I've taken and passed the PT test alongside my Coast Guard colleagues, can I supply documentation for my PT requirements?

Only if your PT test is a requirement of your duty while assigned to the Coast Guard. Otherwise come test with us.

I qualified in the Spring, and missed the Fall testing dates, how can I maintain my Military Standards Member status?

Email us. We may be able to make a special test date when there are other officers with the same problem. Otherwise, you can make a timed video of your PT test, as well as your inspection, and the Honor the Colors Ceremony.

Back to the Military Standards Cadre for Commissioned Corps Officers home page