I have seen something like this play out over and over again: a unit is getting ready for a Big Event such as Annual Training or a deployment or other mobilization, and every time, they start taking it easy with the troops on some of the PT (Physical Training, ie, exercise and sports). No “roughhouse” PT, nothing that will risk a sprain, break, or other injury.

It makes sense, right? The folks at the top want everyone to be ready for the Big Event– no medical issues that will affect readiness. Certain types of PT may actually increase, such as calisthenics or running, but these are typically perceived as low impact (even though running can also cause injury).

Then, and it never fails, literally days before the Big Event, when we’re almost ready to pack up and go, someone decides to do some sort of extremely physical PT as a “team building” and “stress release” exercise.

It could be tackle football (yes, I’ve had company-level leadership suggest it in the past), or a sudden interest in Combatives, an obstacle course, boxing, and having one of those artificial rock-climbing walls brought in, with those thin blue PT mats underneath for “safety”.

I suppose I understand, after weeks of relatively “tame” PT and the increasing stress of a major movement looming, people get antsy and need to burn off some energy. But I’ll never understand why so many of the powers that be suddenly reach for random events that are almost guaranteed to bring injuries, and then wondering why ol’ Sergeant Jones has to hobble onto the bus in crutches.

Stay safe out there.