Corrective Training Article 3- Physical Training Used as Corrective Training

AR 600-20 and FM 7-22 spell out the specifics of using physical fitness as a means of corrective training.

AR 600-20 paragraph 4-20, states the following with regard to using physical fitness training as corrective training:

When authorized by the chain of command and not unnecessarily cruel, abusive, oppressive, or harmful, the following activities do not constitute hazing: Administrative corrective measures, including verbal reprimands and a reasonable number of repetitions of authorized physical exercises. Extra military instruction or training. Physical training (PT) or remedial PT.

Notice the key aspects of this paragraph:

1. The action must be approved by the chain of command.

Author’s Note: Usually it is a good idea for a Commander to have a policy letter on how they expect corrective training to be implemented within their unit. It is not a requirement but good practice to ensure corrective training is standardized across the unit. Any such policy letter should be reviewed by JAG prior to implementation.

2. The corrective training will consist of a reasonable number of repetitions of authorized physical exercises. So how do you know what constitutes a reasonable number of repetitions? What are the authorized physical exercises that can be used for corrective training? To answer these questions we need to refer to FM 7-22 paragraph 5-15.

FM 7-22 paragraph 5-15 states:

When exercise is used for corrective action, it is often performed incorrectly, promoting overtraining syndrome, and overuse injuries. Often corrective action mimics “smoke sessions,” punishing Soldiers with little or no corrective value. Consideration must be given to the number of times per day exercises are used for corrective action for individual Soldiers and groups of Soldiers to avoid the cumulative effect and limit the potential for overtraining syndrome. The following guidelines should be followed when employing exercise as corrective action.