Who vapes to pass their PT test?

[JohnnyKozo]

I'm an Ohio Army National Guardsman, and I was having trouble passing the run portion of my PT test. I had considered quitting smoking prior to that, but never had a desire to until I started failing my monthly PT test (you take a monthly diagnostic in the guard after you fail a record). Once I quit and switched to vaping (and not changing my workout routine), I put up my best run time since basic. (I swear FT. Knox's armor PT course is a few hundred meters short)

Which brings me to this question: For how many of you was the PT test a primary influence in your choice to quit smoking and begin vaping? How effective were the results?

Feel free to chime in if you had other military-related influences (ie smoking ban on subs)

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I can't speak for the here and now, but I do know this; I probably would've passed my PT test with flying colors had vaping been around in the 80's. I can do 2 miles on an elliptical machine in 20 minutes now. That's not a bad time for an old girl like me.

 

[eyebrook]

dont be so hard on yourself WOH, we do what we do

 

[oldsoldier]

I don't think vaping would have made much difference in my pt tests. The run was never an Issue, the situps where the hard part for me lol!

 

[ID510]

I could run a full three miles for the first time since highschool after I started vaping instead of smoking...

 

[Reblx]

It sure does help not wheezing your way around a BFT. Good to see another Sapper in here Eyebrook.

 

[eyebrook]

Hi Reblx, as you know first in and last out lol, not a lot of people know that

 

[Reblx]

Yeah eyebrook you know the score. Hurrah for the C.R.E.

 

[addisdaddy07]

Not gonna lie, it wasn't THE reason I quit, but my pt time has dropped well below where I have to even worry about passing my run anymore! This thing has honestly saved my life and quite possibly my career.

 

[G-webb]

Ive never really had a problem passing my PT test, but now that I got my eGo, it is wayyy easier to run!

 

[adam.phillips]

I did it to keep up with the youngsters coming in nowadays. As a Drill Sergeant you can't let some Privit beat you at anything. Otherwise you get zero respect. That's why I started and it just made sense to quit analogs and dip.

 

[Alžběta Madragana]

Although I got out of the RA in 1998 (Gulf War related issues) - I smoked most of my time in the Army. Yeah, it sucked on my run on the APFT - but I managed to pass my run. Being an old fart (I was older than most of my superiors!) helped too. Vaping was unheard of when I was in, and it was in 1993 that the Commissary first began adding ALL of the Federal Ciggie Taxes on smokes - I used to buy the generic cartons for $2,50 a pop. Name brands were $5,- in those days. When I got out, cartons were like $20,- each and going up. Chain of command reasoning for the Taxes being added were that they wanted all servicemembers to not smoke by 2000.
Well, if there were vaping when I was in - I surely would have done it!
Finally, to each person in the US Military now - "Thank You!!" Thank you for serving our country. May God bless all of you who are serving now, and those who served.
SGT Harold T, USA, RET

 

[Kingbtheone]

I was in the 82nd infantry for 3 years and a smoker, 7 years later quit, vaping now i KNOW i can run further without being tired or winded as much. I believe 100% if you quit smoking and vaped your PT test would get improved

 

[LEDshine]

Do what ever works! As an NCO I will encourage vaping as an alternative to smoking , but you still have to beat that pavement, push that earth, and curl that gut. Even if you cant PT as good as the rest, DON'T STOP just do it YOU WILL GET BETTER

 

[Murdock Ruml]

Would of passed either way. But switching to vaping shaved 1min off my run.

 

[Njt07]

Didn't quit due to pt test, actually cause I now have a 4.5 month old daughter is the main reason. Never had a prob getting at least 90 in each event, but I'm looking forward to not having that smokers hack after 5+mile runs! Was smoker since my first unit field exercise in 97, we had a lot of down time due to waiting on the DATs and the "cool" were smoking , went and asked for one when I was really bored and it all went downhill from there.

 

[Iluvthearmy]

I just posted my best run in 3 years this morning. Quit smoking and started vaping dec 2010 and it was a slow climb to a better run time, but I didn't have to change my PT regiment at all. I did however gain 14 pounds when I quit smoking so watch out for those on the fence during the weigh in (thank god for the tape)

 

[fumama]

Funny, I had a guy in my squad that sweared he ran better because of smoking.