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Offline GNowakowski

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Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« on: May 06, 2011, 06:16 »
Gamecock/Forum Mods -- I'm placing this in "Getting In" as this resource seemed best placed here; some items may also be valuable for the "Staying In" forum however the main impetus is for recruit level planning.
So I've had to lose quite a bit of weight, which I have now successfully done; I've passed the physical exam and am now waiting on a few waivers.  I've done quite a bit of research on the PRT subject in order to make myself as ready as possible for the upcoming challenge.  This is a list of resources I've utilized thus far.  If I find any better than these herein; I'll add them later.  I'm hoping those of you who have a little bit more experience with actually performing in the test environment can add your experiences to make this resource more valuable.

Everything you need to know can be found on this site: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/Pages/default.aspx , everything that follows can be considered “helpful resources” on your journey.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Services/06-100%20General%20Physical%20Fitness/6110.1H.pdf [2]
OPNAVINST 6110.1H covers the Physical Readiness Program.  This is the Navy document.

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/navy-fitness-requirements/navy-basic-training-pft
Making the PRT slightly more understandable, this page helps clear up the expectations and how PRT scoring is done.

60”-64.5”, http://www.navy-prt.com/bodyfat/bodyfatmale60-65.html
65” - 69.5”, http://www.navy-prt.com/bodyfat/bodyfatmale65-70.html
70” - 74.5”, http://www.navy-prt.com/bodyfat/bodyfatmale70-75.html
75”-80”,    http://www.navy-prt.com/bodyfat/bodyfatmale75-80.html
Body fat estimations for your respective height.  Measure your neck and waist, subtract your neck measurement from your waist measurement and match up to your height in the chart.
Remember that your body fat standards are <22%, and <33% for males and females respectively. [1]

The PRT standards for males very by age group (as do females).  
MALE PRT  17-19 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/17-19.html
MALE PRT  20-24 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/20-24.html
MALE PRT  25-29 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/25-29.html
MALE PRT  30-34 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/30-34.html
MALE PRT  35-39 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/35-39.html
MALE PRT  40-44 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/40-44.html
MALE PRT  44-50 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/44-45.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMALE PRT  17-19 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/17-19.html
FEMALE PRT  20-24 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/20-24.html
FEMALE PRT  25-29 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/25-29.html
FEMALE PRT  30-34 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/30-34.html
FEMALE PRT  35-39 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/35-39.html
FEMALE PRT  40-44 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/40-44.html
FEMALE PRT  44-50 YEARS OLD http://www.navy-prt.com/femalestandard/45-49.html

Various training plans already exist, and there is a plethora of information available on this; herein are some of the resources I found most valuable.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.navy-prt.com/files/pre-conditioning.pdf [TP1]
This is a pre-boot-camp conditioning guide in PDF form
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.navy-prt.com/files/Personal_Training_Plan.pdf [TP2]
Personal training plan PDF for the PRT
http://www.military.com/military-fitness/workouts/tips-for-better-pullups
This is Military.com's way to strengthening and adding endurance in the Pull-up exercise.
http://www.military.com/military-fitness/fitness-test-prep/practice-for-perfect-push-ups
A great guide to upping your calisthenics (Pushups/Situps)
http://www.military.com/military-fitness/fitness-test-prep/improving-your-pft-run-time
Speeding up your running time, geared towards all Military branches
http://www.navy-prt.com/QuickFixRunningMistakes.html
This page answers common running errors – you probably already know these, but the “basics” are always worth brushing up.
http://www.military.com/military-fitness/fitness-test-prep/passing-military-swimming-tests
For those interested in the swimming test instead of the running test

My personal regimen has included running a 1.5 mi. route Eight times a week.  I run five total days, but never more, and three days I'll jog it twice.  On days in which I do it twice, I jog at a much slower pace.  I recommend starting slow, moving from two days a week; to three.  I also recommend changing your pace while getting up to speed – You'll notice large gains early on if you choose to sprint for a short distance and go back to “rest” by jogging slowly before sprinting again. If I'm struggling, and can't seem to get my body to agree with me, I'll stop, and stretch – do some calisthenics (push-ups, sit-ups) and take off again.  Don't shorten your distance, but feel free to slow your pace to become more manageable.  

I've found that upping the calisthenics can be a rewarding, yet simple task if done correctly.  Pushups are best done in multiple sets, rather than going to failure.  Calisthenics gains can be made exceptionally quickly with an isometric training method i.e. If you can do twenty pushups, do 8-10 and do twice as many sets.  Spreading your sets out over the day can help greatly too; try and do 8-12 sets a day with about half your max.  That doesn't mean do them all in an hour, in fact spreading them out more will help.  

I'm still working on my pullups but I've moved from one pullup to eight in less than two weeks.  In High-School I trained with them so I have a decent plan that has gotten me there before.  I try to exert most of my force with one arm (I'll use the second to assist only, not equally) and I do about one third, to half of my max.  I however do this every time I walk out onto my porch (probably ten to fifteen times a day).  I know your supposed to have “off-days” I've done weight-lifting and I know the body builder plans, but in strength training (not lean mass creation) muscle tension is king.  Focusing on keeping yourself “tight” is much, much more important than going to “failure”.  The isometric method has been a working model for years.  The plans listed above DO work; this is just my method. I've gained rather incredibly in a relatively short period of time.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and best of luck.

[1] http://www.navy-prt.com/bodyfat.html
[2] http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Services/06-100%20General%20Physical%20Fitness/6110.1H.pdf *
[TP1] http://www.navy-prt.com/files/pre-conditioning.pdf  *
[TP2] http://www.navy-prt.com/files/Personal_Training_Plan.pdf  *


* listed as Google Document viewers, the bibliography includes a link to the actual .pdf file.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2011, 06:19 by GNowakowski »

Offline 730SMAG

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2011, 05:14 »
While this is a good resource, I take a moment to note that the Navy is considering changing the PRT (again) to select for different exercises.  Pullups, one-leg wall stand, shuttle run, etc.  I'd have to find a copy of the Navy Tabloid...err, Times, to check.

drayer54

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2011, 07:17 »
While this is a good resource, I take a moment to note that the Navy is considering changing the PRT (again) to select for different exercises.  Pullups, one-leg wall stand, shuttle run, etc.  I'd have to find a copy of the Navy Tabloid...err, Times, to check.
This is true. The Navy's campaign against big people is constantly changing and the standards become obsolete about as often as my apple products do. My advice is to ignore your plant completely and focus on the important things about your job like working out, understanding the navy equal opportunity program, understanding your 50 applicable command programs, keeping up with the latest GMT, and constantly spread new rumors and gossip about uniforms. Try to be a brown woman too. You may think that I am kidding, but this is the best way to make sailor of the year.

Ohh yeah, always wear an excessively clean pressed uniform and criticize those who don't as if they just denounced babies. Being technicaly knowledgeable and godlike in the plant will get you nowhere. Selling hot dogs during the workday and giving ADAMS training will make you a stud. Todays sailor is a slim-fit, program knowledgeable, workout advocate, who fits the image of Adm. Mullet himself. It helps to make good friends outside of work with your management. I wish that I were joking. Good Luck!
« Last Edit: May 07, 2011, 07:53 by drayer54 »

Offline Styrofoam

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2011, 07:51 »
This is true. The Navy's campaign against big people is constantly changing and the standards become obsolete about as often as my apple products do. My advice is to ignore your plant completely and focus on the important things about your job like working out, understanding the navy equal opportunity program, understanding your 50 applicable command programs, keeping up with the latest GMT, and constantly spread new rumors and gossip about uniforms. Try to be a brown woman too. You may think that I am kidding, but this is the best way to make sailor of the year.

Ohh yeah, always wear a clean pressed uniform and criticize those who don't as if they just denounced babies. Being technicaly knowledgeable and godlike in the plant will get you nowhere. Selling hot dogs during the workday and giving ADAMS training will make you a stud. Todays sailor is a slim-fit, program knowledgeable, workout advocate, who fits the image of Adm. Mullet himself. It helps to make good friends outside of work with your management. I wish that I were joking. Good Luck!

Just like the outside world. Darn.

Offline HydroDave63

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2011, 08:32 »
Just like the outside world. Darn.

Worse, actually  >:(

Offline Styrofoam

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #5 on: May 07, 2011, 08:40 »
Well, guess i'll have to get a tan then.

Offline GNowakowski

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #6 on: May 07, 2011, 09:25 »
While this is a good resource, I take a moment to note that the Navy is considering changing the PRT (again) to select for different exercises.  Pullups, one-leg wall stand, shuttle run, etc.  I'd have to find a copy of the Navy Tabloid...err, Times, to check.

In that case it may be valuable to add pistols, and wind sprints to my preparation.
Thanks for the notice.

This is what I found when searching for upcoming changes (via NT)
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/01/navy-prt-query-011711w/
How would you change the Navy PRT?
« Last Edit: May 07, 2011, 09:29 by GNowakowski »

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2011, 10:17 »
Your ability to pass or fail a PRT is more dependent on the person next to you then your own ability. Very few people on a deployed carrier would truly pass a PRT. The whole system is flawed and needs drastic reform based on the needs of the navy, but unfortunately that politically correct and "in the worlds eye" thing play too much of a factor for this war machine. Annoys me.

edit: Drayer, there is some amount of professionalism required. I never understood why you guys gave me crap for having shiny boots, but I've never ever denounced someones work in the plant based on their uniform. Dont confuse personal pride with prejudice unless it crosses that boundary. That always annoyed me, but I understand your point on the other stuff, and whole-heartedly agree with it.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2011, 10:27 by Charlie Murphy »

ski2313

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2011, 10:45 »
Never was enlisted/active duty, but did go to a military college for my degree (ie heavily exposed to PT programs).. Our "Corps" had a pretty rigid fitness program, in addition to whichever branch of ROTC fitness program we had to follow. I spent a year in each of the 4 branches of ROTC, so was exposed to each of the PT tests.. From what I recall, the Navy/Marines had a joint PT test/standard and was the most difficult (due to the presence/influence to the program by the particular Marine corps Colonel in charge, no doubt), then next hardest was ARMY, then Air Force well on the bottom.. One of the years I got "extra motivated" and did most of the following program on my own time:

http://www.baseops.net/basictraining/navyseals/warningorder.html

It's the BUDs warning order for SEAL candidates to prepare them ahead of time for training. It's very straightforward, and very effective. The workout program itself is about halfway down on the link. It's got a very manageable workout progression and will enable you to smoke any PT test out there after a few months if you follow it. Running, swimming, pushups, pullups, situps, dips. Pretty simple. I started the program with my roomate, who was a relatively lazy, fat, thai kid... The first week I had to physically lift him up to the bar for him to do his pullups. By the end of 10 weeks he could do twenty on his own, and even had traces of abs!  :P I was able to go from being able to do around 8-12 pullups to north of 40, and could flat out sprint a mile. I also got my 2 mile time down to around 12:15. Then, like most people, I get out of school and into a desk job, and the pounds start piling on.. Fast forward 10 years and I'm a looong ways from where I was. I might just start this up again after reading this thread... Best of luck to the OP and others who might try this out.. It's worth every second.

drayer54

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2011, 12:33 »
edit: Drayer, there is some amount of professionalism required. I never understood why you guys gave me crap for having shiny boots, but I've never ever denounced someones work in the plant based on their uniform. Don't confuse personal pride with prejudice unless it crosses that boundary. That always annoyed me, but I understand your point on the other stuff, and wholeheartedly agree with it.
I always had shiny boots after I discovered that back room stuff at the cobbler shop. And I don't remember ever thinking or giving you any crap about your uniform one way or the other (except after that one special funnel/pipe cutting expedition that I sent you on  ;)). I'm talking about corpsman who creased the coveralls and the guys that I see iron and creasing the NWU's, which is just mind boggling to me. OR the people that thought it was the only thing that mattered. I never ran around looking bad, especially once I landed the desk job. silly pig.....

Passing the prt varies command to command, because the same instruction gets interpreted in 50 different ways based on the reader and how much personal opinion they are enforcing. The people who are great at it and want to use it to separate themselves from the pack will continue to advocate tougher standards. If that's the NAV that they want, they can keep paying the civilians tons to work the war equipment and hope that if they do deploy after an attack that all that time doing pushups in the morning will pay off. I'm not arguing against making fitness a priority, I'm arguing against making it THE priority.  
« Last Edit: May 08, 2011, 12:35 by drayer54 »

Offline GNowakowski

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2011, 01:59 »
Never was enlisted/active duty, but did go to a military college for my degree (ie heavily exposed to PT programs).. Our "Corps" had a pretty rigid fitness program, in addition to whichever branch of ROTC fitness program we had to follow. I spent a year in each of the 4 branches of ROTC, so was exposed to each of the PT tests.. From what I recall, the Navy/Marines had a joint PT test/standard and was the most difficult (due to the presence/influence to the program by the particular Marine corps Colonel in charge, no doubt), then next hardest was ARMY, then Air Force well on the bottom.. One of the years I got "extra motivated" and did most of the following program on my own time:

http://www.baseops.net/basictraining/navyseals/warningorder.html

It's the BUDs warning order for SEAL candidates to prepare them ahead of time for training. It's very straightforward, and very effective. The workout program itself is about halfway down on the link. It's got a very manageable workout progression and will enable you to smoke any PT test out there after a few months if you follow it. Running, swimming, pushups, pullups, situps, dips. Pretty simple. I started the program with my roomate, who was a relatively lazy, fat, thai kid... The first week I had to physically lift him up to the bar for him to do his pullups. By the end of 10 weeks he could do twenty on his own, and even had traces of abs!  :P I was able to go from being able to do around 8-12 pullups to north of 40, and could flat out sprint a mile. I also got my 2 mile time down to around 12:15. Then, like most people, I get out of school and into a desk job, and the pounds start piling on.. Fast forward 10 years and I'm a looong ways from where I was. I might just start this up again after reading this thread... Best of luck to the OP and others who might try this out.. It's worth every second.

Thats a great document - thank you for contributing that.  I unfortunately don't have the ability to swim, however I'm going to take on category II and I'll report my luck as I go through it.  There are a few things in category II I'll have to work up to (Dips & Pullups) but I'm very close, and will probably only need 1 week in order to fully meet the requirements.  

Thanks for adding that.

First Week Goals:
Running: 3 / 5 / 4 / 5 / 2 miles, Mo/Tu/We/Fr/Sa
Pushups: 6 sets of 30 pushups, Mon/Wed/Fri
Situps: 6 sets of 35 situps, Mon/Wed/Fri
Pullups: 3 sets of 8 pullups, Mon/Wed/Fri *
Dips: 3 sets of 17 dips, Mon/Wed/Fri *
**7.5+ mi. Hike Tu/Thur/Sun

* Under by 2 pullups, and 3 dips from actual Cat II goals
**The water around me is just too cold and I don't have a gym membership (only 2 pools in my area) However, Glacier Park is opening up and I do have a pass there :)... I'll substitute hiking for swimming.

Your ability to pass or fail a PRT is more dependent on the person next to you then your own ability. Very few people on a deployed carrier would truly pass a PRT.

What do you mean?
« Last Edit: May 08, 2011, 02:00 by GNowakowski »

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2011, 02:02 »
I always had shiny boots after I discovered that back room stuff at the cobbler shop. And I don't remember ever thinking or giving you any crap about your uniform one way or the other (except after that one special funnel/pipe cutting expedition that I sent you on  ;)). I'm talking about corpsman who creased the coveralls and the guys that I see iron and creasing the NWU's, which is just mind boggling to me. OR the people that thought it was the only thing that mattered. I never ran around looking bad, especially once I landed the desk job. silly pig.....

Passing the prt varies command to command, because the same instruction gets interpreted in 50 different ways based on the reader and how much personal opinion they are enforcing. The people who are great at it and want to use it to separate themselves from the pack will continue to advocate tougher standards. If that's the NAV that they want, they can keep paying the civilians tons to work the war equipment and hope that if they do deploy after an attack that all that time doing pushups in the morning will pay off. I'm not arguing against making fitness a priority, I'm arguing against making it THE priority.  

I wasnt speaking of you directly dude. The "nuke" mentality usually implied looking like dog shit and "sticking it to the man".  I never said much, but it ticked me off something awful when the other clowns would mess up my boots on purpose and give me crap for ironing my utlities.  

I agree with you 200% dude, dont misconstrue my bitterness here haha .  Creases in coveralls? retarded. A clean, wrinkle free uniform (which coveralls are) is always a good thing.

drayer54

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2011, 10:30 »
What do you mean?
What he means is that when you do one of these PRT's,  your pushups and situps are being counted by the guy next to you. If that guy is like most of the NAV, he knows how many you need and is going to take care of you by using topsider math. Few people with access to the recording software, PRIMS, have ever failed either. Perfect System?

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2011, 02:14 »
What he means is that when you do one of these PRT's,  your pushups and situps are being counted by the guy next to you. If that guy is like most of the NAV, he knows how many you need and is going to take care of you by using topsider math. Few people with access to the recording software, PRIMS, have ever failed either. Perfect System?

haha I remember a certain worthless MMC that failed when a certain very bitter MM2 counted his pushups correctly ;)

Offline GNowakowski

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2011, 04:56 »
What he means is that when you do one of these PRT's,  your pushups and situps are being counted by the guy next to you. If that guy is like most of the NAV, he knows how many you need and is going to take care of you by using topsider math. Few people with access to the recording software, PRIMS, have ever failed either. Perfect System?

Noted.

I assume the running portion is still more accurate though?  Perhaps this question is best made as "Who times the run portion?"

Furthermore, if you're of the mindset that you want to grow i.e perform better with each PRT - is this attitude dangerous to relations with your peers?  (i.e do you fall into the group of jumpsuit creaser's?) and if so does silence and humility save you any anguish?

Finally how does this match-up to basic?  Totally different worlds? (I assume)...

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #15 on: May 08, 2011, 10:54 »
Noted.

I assume the running portion is still more accurate though?  Perhaps this question is best made as "Who times the run portion?"

Furthermore, if you're of the mindset that you want to grow i.e perform better with each PRT - is this attitude dangerous to relations with your peers?  (i.e do you fall into the group of jumpsuit creaser's?) and if so does silence and humility save you any anguish?

Finally how does this match-up to basic?  Totally different worlds? (I assume)...

PRT is completely individual. It make virtually no impact to your career to be "excellent" vs "satisfactory". In fact, the only time I've heard of it mattering is on officer candidacy boards.

I've never seen someone getting crap for doing well on the prt, likewise doing not so well. It basically means you're in shape vs out of shape.


humility? you sure you wanna be a nuke? haha. Me and another dude on the boat got designated holiday "No shirt saturday". We'd get crap for walking around berthing topless and flexing in the mirror ;)

« Last Edit: May 08, 2011, 10:55 by Charlie Murphy »

drayer54

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #16 on: May 08, 2011, 11:24 »
PRT is completely individual. It make virtually no impact to your career to be "excellent" vs "satisfactory". In fact, the only time I've heard of it mattering is on officer candidacy boards.
I've never seen someone getting crap for doing well on the prt, likewise doing not so well. It basically means you're in shape vs out of shape.
too add, Nobody really cares. Topsiders/coners may have discussions about this because they have little else going on in their professional lives. The people who love to ask the Admiral about tougher prt standards will also talk about it, but only because it distracts from their inability to read. You should know that an absolute minimum is a "Passed Within Standards." Excellent High is also a "Passed Within Standards."

humility? you sure you wanna be a nuke? haha. Me and another dude on the boat got designated holiday "No shirt Saturday". We'd get crap for walking around berthing topless and flexing in the mirror ;)
Yup, that's exactly why we made fun of you. Everyone else was jealous and copied you to hide their own discomfort and feelings of inadequacy. :-> My reaction of supporting you and bozo 32 was by wearing much less would be in a smaller "other category." You know, equal opportunity.  :P :P


« Last Edit: May 08, 2011, 11:25 by drayer54 »

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #17 on: May 08, 2011, 11:33 »
too add, Nobody really cares. Topsiders/coners may have discussions about this because they have little else going on in their professional lives. The people who love to ask the Admiral about tougher prt standards will also talk about it, but only because it distracts from their inability to read. You should know that an absolute minimum is a "Passed Within Standards." Excellent High is also a "Passed Within Standards."
 Yup, that's exactly why we made fun of you. Everyone else was jealous and copied you to hide their own discomfort and feelings of inadequacy. :-> My reaction of supporting you and bozo 32 was by wearing much less would be in a smaller "other category." You know, equal opportunity.  :P :P


hahaha jealousy is a stinky cologne my friend ;)


bitterness... :)

Offline GNowakowski

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #18 on: May 09, 2011, 12:13 »
humility? you sure you wanna be a nuke? haha. Me and another dude on the boat got designated holiday "No shirt saturday". We'd get crap for walking around berthing topless and flexing in the mirror ;)

These are the types of things that make me wonder.  The only reason I don't want to be a seal; I don't want to know I'm that kind of a machine.  A nuke - well, it seems more important to be honest.  Especially in a nation still awaiting its "Nuclear Renaissance".

I hope this image of the stuck up, nerdy, nuke is a grossly overstated stereotype.

Offline HydroDave63

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #19 on: May 09, 2011, 12:19 »
Just read the digital daily Ship's Reunion up above  >:(

Offline Styrofoam

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #20 on: May 09, 2011, 12:33 »
... I hope this image of the stuck up, nerdy, nuke is a grossly overstated stereotype.

I kinda hope not.  8)

Offline 730SMAG

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #21 on: May 09, 2011, 12:38 »
I hope this image of the stuck up, nerdy, nuke is a grossly overstated stereotype.

In my engineering department - 40-odd people - and realizing that there's overlap between them, we had...

power lifters/bodybuilders
alcoholics
gun owners
martial artists
alcoholics
motorcyclists
marathoner/biathlon/triathlon competitors
WoW players
alcoholics
photographers
off-roaders
bicyclists
fishermen
alcoholics
boaters
computer nerds
astronomy geeks
aquarium (what the hell is it with submariners and aquariums?) people
hunters
hikers
campers
alcoholics
Dungeons & Dragons players
console gamers
beer brewers
car tinkering people
street racers
alcoholics

...and I'm sure I've forgotten a few.  So, really, it's a diverse group of people.  As for stuck up, well.  Throughout the entire training pipeline, you're told you're the best of the best.  The Navy has picked you for its elite few!  And you're surrounded by (relatively) smart people while you're in the pipeline.  I'll be honest, the pipeline was the first time I felt like I was challenged academically by my peers, as far as keeping ahead of the group went. 

Anyway, all of that aside, when you get out to the fleet, you realize (to your growing horror) that the Navy wasn't kidding when it said you - and your buddy that you last saw projectile vomiting from the 2nd floor of his apartment at Prototype following the graduation party - are really the best and the brightest.  And that you, with a high school diploma and two years of training, are going to be operating a portable nuclear reactor.

There's really two ways to respond to that.  Pants-filling 'OMG TERROR what do I doooooooo?!,' or taking the challenge by the throat, grabbing its testicles firmly in one hand, and twisting until it submits to  you and you have, indeed, qualified to operate a plant (and gotten your fish).  The first option tends to not be the one chosen by most nukes, although we did have two or three get disqualified and sent to the surface fleet (there's another reason submariners think we're better; the surface navy is where we dump the dumb nukes). 

And doing the second, when combined with the rest of the pipeline, tends to produce just a little bit of I-can-do-it self-confidence that verges on excessive ego.  Really, looking back on my time in, and comparing it to how I used to think before I joined, is...  Very amusing.  Give me a reason, give me a couple months, give me the books, and I can be a theoretical subject expert on almost anything these days.  Give me a couple more months, and I can probably do the job with something approaching professional competence.

It's not really the "knowledge" that the pipeline and training process gives you that gives you that "stuck up" sensation.  It's the fact that you've learned what your limits are, and how to push them.  Not everyone does.  Hell, not every nuke does.  But take a random nuke, drop them into any professional, technical field, and they can probably succeed in it after a bit of training and experience.

drayer54

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #22 on: May 09, 2011, 09:12 »
In my engineering department - 40-odd people - and realizing that there's overlap between them, we had.......
Add a few more alcoholics plus a few obsessive boat goat chasers and less aquarium people and you got a carrier too.

This pretty well hit the nail on the head. Good Post!

Offline MMM

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #23 on: May 09, 2011, 11:04 »
too add, Nobody really cares. Topsiders/coners may have discussions about this because they have little else going on in their professional lives. The people who love to ask the Admiral about tougher prt standards will also talk about it, but only because it distracts from their inability to read. You should know that an absolute minimum is a "Passed Within Standards." Excellent High is also a "Passed Within Standards."

The eval regs just changed, so you record both PRTs and have to comment about them in those precious 16 lines on the back page. Also, here in NY, if you don't get at least a Good/Low, you go on FEP.

Cycoticpenguin

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Re: Physical Readiness [PRT] Resource
« Reply #24 on: May 09, 2011, 11:07 »
These are the types of things that make me wonder.  The only reason I don't want to be a seal; I don't want to know I'm that kind of a machine.  A nuke - well, it seems more important to be honest.  Especially in a nation still awaiting its "Nuclear Renaissance".

I hope this image of the stuck up, nerdy, nuke is a grossly overstated stereotype.


Your opinion of the military is grossly ignorant dude. Your opinion of nukes is also ignorant. How many nukes were on the strike team that killed osama? How many nukes are on the ground dodging bullets and IED's? more important? No. More skilled/rare? yes.


 


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