APFT Failure, Improvement Plan, and Fail to Improve Counseling Sets (2 versions) (pdf)

Attached is a pair of counseling-statement sets for an initial APFT failure, plan for improvement, and failure to improve. Each counseling in the set builds on the counseling before it and are used for consecutive counseling sessions. Like most of the stuff I put together it’s designed for the Guard and Reserves IOT save leaders time and research, but Active Component leaders are more than welcome to use them as well (but be sure to check some of the regulation citations just in case there are any that are specifically ARNG not AC). When I was a PL, I kept copies of these on my desk in separate files, so leaders could just grab the one that applies and fills it out accordingly.

The key to both of these set are that it holds the Soldier to account for failing to improve if they are just flat lazy and not doing anything between drills.

Background: When I came up with this a couple of years ago (when I was a squad leader), the “APFT Code” was something leaders (in the Guard at least) couldn’t crack. “Retention” was the priority, so things like reductions and separations for APFT failures were almost impossible to get passed JAG muster. So I took the route of hitting the Soldier when they failed to improve, thus failed to follow an order. This was apparently a “JAG approved” path that lead to the same outcome; Soldiers being held accountable for their physical fitness level or lack of it.

“3 For Record Chances”: This set is in line with the APFT policy of the unit I was with at the time, which is to perform a “for record” APFT each month and then throw the book at the Soldier for the third failure. The following are some points of each:

• Counseling 1. Initial APFT Failure: This is the initial counseling of a “for record” APFT failure. It includes an improvement program that directs the Soldier to improve 3 points per failed event per month.

• Counseling 2a. Second APFT Failure: This was one I have to add to my original set when I became a PL in my most recent unit. It’s simply another counseling for failure of a second for record APFT, but does reference the improvement standards laid out in the initial counseling so Soldiers know they can’t slack off.

• Counseling 2b. Second APFT Failure with failure to improve: This counseling does hit the fact that the Soldier failed a second for record APFT, but the key to this counseling is the first bullet of the Key Points of Discussion: “You failed to meet the minimum improvement standards laid out in your previous counseling (as shown in Part II), and are now in violation of Article 92 UCMJ, Failure to obey order or regulation.” With this counseling, the initial counseling is closed out, and then the Soldier is given direction to continue their improvement program.

• Counseling 3a. Third APFT Failure: This was one was another one I have to add to my original set. It only addresses a third for record APFT failure, and that the Soldier is being referred to the Company Commander for administrative action.

• Counseling 3b. Third APFT Failure with failure to improve: Like 3a, this counseling specifically points out that the Soldier not only failed a third for record APFT, but also failed to improve per previous counseling, and is now being referred to the company commander.

“2 For Record Chances Or Failure to Improve”: My original APFT improvement counseling in PDF. This set is probably in line with most (Guard/Reserve) units’ APFT policies, taking one for record APFT every 180 days. The following are some points of this set:

• Counseling 1. Initial APFT Failure: This is the initial counseling of a “for record” APFT failure. It includes an improvement program that directs the Soldier to take a DIAGNOSTIC APFT each month until they pass, and that they must improve by 3 points per failed event per diagnostic (meaning per month).

• Counseling 2. The key to this counseling is the first and second bullet of the Key Points of Discussion: “You failed to meet the minimum improvement standards laid out in your previous counseling,” and then, “You are now in violation of Article 92 UCMJ, Failure to obey order or regulation.” With this counseling, the initial counseling is closed out, and then the Soldier is given direction to continue their improvement program. This counseling statement can be repeated again and again, with the previous statement closed out and a new one opened until such time that the command determines a Soldier has been given enough chances. Ultimately, this is the teeth behind possible reduction for unsatisfactory duty performance.

• Counseling 3a. Second APFT Failure: It only addresses a second for record APFT failure, and that the Soldier is being referred to the Chain of Command for administrative action. All initial counseling are closed out and this one is given to the Soldier.

• Counseling 3b. Failure to improve: This is the final counseling if the Soldier fails to demonstrate improvement and the Soldier’s leadership doesn’t want to have to wait until the next APFT failure to push for administrative action. Previous counseling are closed and this one is given. How many chances you give a Soldier is completely up to you and your chain of command, but the end is the same.

Also attached are examples of PT Programs and the PT Log that we give our Soldiers to use.

Feel free to take, use, comment or make suggestions on how to improve it. If you’re interested in previous comments, please feel free to check out the original thread on MilBook at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-127958

(3 chances) 1 – APFT Failure Initial with Improvement Plan (3 chances) 2a – APFT Failure Second – Failure only (3 chances) 2b – APFT Failure Second with Improvement Failure (3 chances) 3a – APFT Failure Third Failure (3 chances) 3b – APFT Failure Third with Improvement Failure kicker (3 chances) 4 – APFT failure Flow chart (2 chances) 1 – APFT Failure Initial with Improvement Plan (2 chances) 2 – APFT Failure to Improve (2 chances) 3a – APFT Failure Second For Record Failure (2 chances) 3b – APFT Failure to Improve Final (2 chances) 4 – APFT failure Flow chart APFT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (My design and an ROTC program) PHYSICAL FITNESS LOG PT Program Planning Sheet