New Army PRT Doctrine
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o strengthen Armywide emphasis on implementing physical readiness training doctrine, the Army Training and Doctrine Command released in October the new Field Manual 7-22, Army Physical Readiness Training, which supersedes TC 3-22.20, Army Physical Readiness Training and the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Physical readiness training doctrine applies Armywide and includes all Soldiers, functional branches, units and operating agencies. The purpose of Army PRT is not merely to make Soldiers appear fit, but to actually make them physically ready for the conduct of full spectrum operations. Physical readiness training provides a foundation for combat readiness and must be an integral part of every Soldier’s life. Unit readiness begins with the physical fitness of Soldiers and the NCOs and officers who lead
them. Physical readiness training must be conducted according to the Army Physical Fitness Training Program, as prescribed in AR 350-1, and conform to the Army doctrine prescribed in FM 7-22 (1-19). The USAREC Commanding General’s Physical Readiness Training Policy (CG Policy 50-13) reinforces the requirement to conduct PRT five days a week in accordance with AR 350-1. Soldiers are to conduct PRT as a group at each unit level for 60 to 90 minutes; individual PRT should be the exception and not the rule. PRT sessions will consist of the elements of preparation, activities and recovery described in Chapter 5, FM 7-22. An ideal unit PRT program strives to give Soldiers the knowledge they need to conduct their own quality exercise program between unit PRT sessions and set the example for Future Soldiers.
Physical Training Resources The Physical Readiness Division (PRD) at Fort Jackson, S.C., is the Army’s proponent for Army physical readiness training and testing, as well as FM 7-22, Army Physical Readiness Training. The division also operates the Army’s Master Fitness Trainer Course, which awards the 6P (officer) and P5 (NCO) Army Skill Identifier. The G-3 Training Division will release a plan to train MFTs in USAREC as soon as course schedules and allocations are received from TRADOC. The PRD provides a variety of resources to assist Soldiers in properly performing and conducting physical readiness training. PRD website: http://www.jackson.army.mil/sites/tssd/pages/284 PRD YouTube page: www.youtube.com/user/ArmyPhysicalFitness PRD on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PhysicalReadinessDivision For physical training guides, lesson plans and other training aids, visit the PRD site on the Army Training Network: https://atn.army.mil/ (CAC login required). The site contains an eReader version of FM 7-22 with videos, as well as links to the PRT app for iPhones and iPads. (A commercial app for Android devices is available for purchase in the Google Play store). The Army Pocket Physical Training Guide, RPI 237 (October 2012), designed for new recruits, is available in both a PDF and an interactive format at www.goarmy.com/downloads/physical-training-guide.html.
26 | recruiter journal | january-february 2013