Army Physical Readiness Training Videos

There are a few resources available to help Soldiers and NCOs learn the new Army Physical Readiness Training. However, if you like to learn by doing, the people who wrote Training Circular 3-22.20 are releasing videos on YouTube. I have compiled an Army PRT Video Playlist in the order dictated by the TC.

How do I know this? Because I called the number on their Facebook page TC 3-22.20, U.S. Army Physical Fitness School (USAPFS). These are the guys who wrote the TC and were nice enough to answer my questions.

I flip on the playlist and do PT by myself and just ignore the "At Ease" after every exercise. The helpful GS 14 said that was in there for Initial Entry Training users. On run days I skip over CD 1 and 2 and pick up with the recovery drill when I get home.

There are other resources out there such as ArmyPRT, however, "We did not write the TC, we did not design the PRT program and we did not design the iPhone app."

How to get a copy of a DD 214

Go here: Veterans Service Records. It's free from the National Archives.

Do what they say. Use the eVetRecs service. I faxed my signature.

A few weeks later, 2 copies of my DD 214 with a frigging seal embossed arrived first class.

Can it be any easier. 

So, if your parent can't find their Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Report of Separation or Certification of Military Service (or whatever the heck they called it back when), I would highly suggest you help your relation avoid any issues before it becomes a problem (like verifying eligibility with the Veteran Administration medical (VHA) or benefits (VBA) such as burial honors).

Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT), TC 3-22.20

"The Windmill, Starting Position, Move..."

After one drill in the Connecticut Army National Guard the single biggest difference between active and reserve units is physical fitness readiness. As an engineer who works with heavy bridge parts, physical fitness was stressed in my last unit. My first sergeant used to say PT was the most important thing we did all day.

Army Physical Readiness Training, Training Circular TC 3-22.20 (20AUG2010) came out last summer. It supersedes FM 21-20 (30SEP1992) which was the PT bible.

When we got back from a year-long deployment from Afghanistan in August 2011, we were told we must change our traditional PT from neck rotations to the preparation drill of PRT. Besides being able to wear our patrol caps in garrison all the time, this was the biggest change we had to overcome.

Sleepy Soldiers, who have for years heard "all rotations will be five to the front and five to the rear...", were initially not receptive to the change--except for Soldiers who went to NCOAs, were from other units or were new to the Army (they learned this in basic).

In two weeks, my last unit was up to speed with basic PRT. Leadership made the commitment of time and manpower, we had two staff sergeants join the company fresh from the trail, and it was an ideal time to introduce this--right after a difficult deployment. We stressed proper form and train-the-trainer instruction, and PRT can be done in IPFU or ACU (yea, it says that).

The number one barrier to doing the right thing will be entrenched NCOs. However, if we always did things the way we have always done them, we would still be doing hurdle stretches (horrible for knee joints) and heading off to the stables, the horse stables, after PT.

Learn how to properly conduct the Preparation Drill in rectangular formation. If leadership or peers are a barrier, realize that, "Commanders and supervisors must establish PRT programs," section 1-3 says, "consistent with the requirements in AR 350-1, with their unit missions, and with this training circular (TC)."

Department of Veterans Affairs

I have had very good dealings with the Veterans Administration since I left active service. Everyone I have dealt with has been professional and responsive.

That said, while still in the service:

• Go to the VA Benefit brief (part of ACAP) before you ETS. The single most important thing you can do. Remember, the VBA (benefits, like GI Bill and compensation) is not the same as VHA (health). Same monster government agency, two different hydra brains.
• If you are putting in for compensation, go see a Veteran Service Officer. I hear DAV is the best and the VFW officers right behind them. You want to do compensation claims right the first time. That is what the VA Rep who gave the VA Benefit brief said, twice.
• Sign up for eBenefits while your CAC card is still valid. Makes getting an account very easy.

After you get out:

• Go to the VA hospital and get enrolled. You will need your DD-214 Member 4 that you get when you out process and they may issue you a VA Id card. Even though you just had an ETS exam, go and have another one with the VA.
• Make sure they spell your name right. Miss a 't' in your middle name and it costs you time and gasoline.
• Marvel at all the Vietnam War veterans who are now just getting enrolled at the VA when you are at the VA medical center.