View Full Version : Are any adjustments made to the APFT scores for altitude?
I just did the test as part of a training program for an event. It was simple to do the pushups and situps to score 100 for my age, but the run was tough. I did it about 1 minute slower than what was required for a 100, but I did it at 8,500ft. I know for a fact I could have shaved 2 minutes off that time at sea level.
So, do you Ft. Carson guys get to adjust your scores any due to your elevation, or is it just tough luck?
airborneranger
06-20-2013, 14:21
I believe that the Air Force has some system for that but the Army does not.
It is "recommended" to give a Soldier 30 days to acclimatize to the altitude prior to a record APFT but it is no mandated.
This is not "barracks lawyer" answer but one from a former IG - LOL.
You just have to run faster!
I was waiting for airborne to chime in before I said anything- I just know that most units are nice and let you acclimate- but schools usually aren't so nice about it (just ask my buddy who went through Ranger school two years ago- no more than 5 days to acclimate to the humidity before APFT).
airborneranger
06-20-2013, 14:36
I was waiting for airborne to chime in before I said anything- I just know that most units are nice and let you acclimate- but schools usually aren't so nice about it (just ask my buddy who went through Ranger school two years ago- no more than 5 days to acclimate to the humidity before APFT).
I was a winter Ranger so no worries about the humidity when I went through :)
When I was in the replacement detachment in Carson in 2003 I was told 30 days after I report to my unit was when I was supposed to get a record APFT, but you might get one prior to that since there are no official rules and some of us would be leaving for Iraq before 30 days was up. But there were no adjustments to the scores due to altitude. Though the day before I was supposed to ship to my unit I got orders telling me to go to Ft Drum. [facepalm]
I'm not surprised. I really wanted to score 300, but it really makes not the slightest difference. I'd have killed it at sea level, and I guess that'll have to be good enough.
lowspeed_highdrag
06-20-2013, 14:48
I think in the Corps we had a 10k ft elevation adjustment. When we did PFT's in Bridgeport I think they would modify the scoring system. I think.
At least you can max it at sea level. Even in Hawaii my best was 278. [gohome]
I have an advantage. I'm 47, and the requirements for fart of my age are pretty lax.
ImNtUrBuddyGuy
06-20-2013, 17:25
The Marine Corps has one for over 4500ft, I took several when I was stationed in Buckley. They take 1.5 minutes off but of course that is for a 3mile run.
sabot_round
06-20-2013, 18:13
I give everyone in my unit a 30 day acclimatization period regardless of rank or age. After that everything else is game...you either pass or fail!! By Army standards you don't get any special treatment because of altitude.
jerrymrc
06-20-2013, 18:18
No adjustment for altitude in the Army. Of course it works in reverse as well. My best 2MI run time was like 13.20 as I was always a 14 flat kind of guy and my second mile was faster than my first. On the flight back from Bolivia after living @ 15000' for 7 months we were offered a PT test the next day at Ft Riley. [Flower] I was never a 300 kind of troop but I got close that day as I remember.
HoneyBadger
06-20-2013, 21:26
Yep, Air Force has an altitude adjustment. It's a graduated scale, but at 8500 Ft, it would still only be about 20-25 seconds in your favor. At Peterson it is about 10-15 seconds, depending on your time (this part doesn't make any sense to me.. Why should you get more or less of an adjustment if you are faster or slower? Shouldn't everyone at that altitude get the same adjustment?)
TheBelly
06-20-2013, 21:43
My fastest time was 10:42. That was over a decade ago, and I was an eager angry young trooper.
my understanding is that it's in a Ft Carson CG's policy letter (the physical fitness one) that a Soldier gets 30 days to acclimate before a record APFT can be done.
I'm not there anymore, so I can't confirm/deny what MG LaCamera has.
theGinsue
06-20-2013, 22:22
I was just talking to a Capt. About the USAF acclimation period today. When I arrived at Peterson in '95 (from St. Louis area), they were required to give you 6 months to acclimate. Apparently the "required" part no longer exists. This Capt. (O3) was required to test within a week of arriving from his previous (low-alt) assignment. We just got a 1Lt in last week who is testing in a couple of weeks.
HoneyBadger
06-21-2013, 10:32
I was just talking to a Capt. About the USAF acclimation period today. When I arrived at Peterson in '95 (from St. Louis area), they were required to give you 6 months to acclimate. Apparently the "required" part no longer exists. This Capt. (O3) was required to test within a week of arriving from his previous (low-alt) assignment. We just got a 1Lt in last week who is testing in a couple of weeks.
When I PCSd to Colorado Springs 2 years ago, I was allowed 42 days to acclimate if I wanted, but you can always take a voluntary test whenever you want.
airborneranger
06-21-2013, 11:25
I was just talking to a Capt. About the USAF acclimation period today. When I arrived at Peterson in '95 (from St. Louis area), they were required to give you 6 months to acclimate. Apparently the "required" part no longer exists. This Capt. (O3) was required to test within a week of arriving from his previous (low-alt) assignment. We just got a 1Lt in last week who is testing in a couple of weeks.
There you go again, telling your fibs. Everyone knows that the AF doesn't take fitness tests, let alone within weeks of arriving to a new unit. What do you take us for??? [ROFL1]
My fastest time was 10:42.
That was smoking fast. I felt pretty good running a 15:30 without barfing.
airborneranger
06-21-2013, 12:14
My fastest time was 10:42. That was over a decade ago, and I was an eager angry young trooper.
That is fast. My fastest time was as an infantry company commander in Germany - 11:35.
My best was 13:12, which for a 6'1" 225 lb guy isn't shabby. Had a guy in AIT that was Ugandan and his first APFT run was 9:30. He wasn't even breathing hard after, just wiped his face off with his t-shirt and stretched for a minute. Pissed of our CO who always bragged about his 10:30 times, which isn't bad at all for an aviation officer. Poor guy tried to take the kid on a run all over Ft Eustis to wear him out, not the best idea he ever had.
HoneyBadger
06-21-2013, 12:46
My fastest time was 10:42.
That was smoking fast. I felt pretty good running a 15:30 without barfing.
For a mile and a half?
No, 2 miles. At 8500ft. And 47 year old knees.
No adjustment period in combat. Either you can dig deep or you are a quitter and someone possibly dies. Keep up the good work Tim.
HoneyBadger
06-21-2013, 13:38
No, 2 miles. At 8500ft. And 47 year old knees.
Well then your 15:30 time is pretty good, Belly's time is pretty ridiculous, and the guy that ran the 9:30 is a freak of nature!
Great job!
TheBelly
06-21-2013, 13:40
For a mile and a half?
for two miles at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. I don't remember the elevation.
TheBelly
06-21-2013, 13:41
No adjustment period in combat. Either you can dig deep or you are a quitter and someone possibly dies. Keep up the good work Tim.
best advice yet.
See Attachment 3 on p.23 of AFI 36-2905 for the altitude corrections. http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2905/afi36-2905.pdf
Active duty Air Force members get 42 days to acclimate after showing up on station after a PCS or return from deployment. (para 4.2.4 and 1.21.8)
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