How should Soldiers assess their progress in PRT?

Using SMART goals as benchmarks is the best method for Soldiers to assess their progress in Physical Readiness Training (PRT) because SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework allows individuals to set clear and realistic objectives that can be tracked over time, reflecting true progress rather than subjective measures.

When Soldiers use SMART goals, they can specifically define what they want to accomplish, such as improving their run time or increasing their maximum push-up count. This makes it easy to measure progress quantitatively. By setting achievable targets relevant to their training needs and establishing deadlines, Soldiers can maintain motivation and focus while keeping their training aligned with overall mission readiness.

Other methods, such as relying on peers for feedback or comparing themselves to others, may introduce bias and can discourage personal growth, as they rely on external validation rather than personal progress. Focusing solely on physical appearance can also be misleading, as it does not account for physical fitness improvements or performance metrics that PRT aims to develop. Therefore, utilizing SMART goals ensures a structured, personal, and effective approach to tracking improvement.