<p>Ok, I’m really in a tough place right now. I am a candidate for the class of 2009, have multiple nominations, and am fairly well qualified for USAFA except that I still can’t pass the flexed arm hang. All other parts of the PAE I am fine on, but this one section is the only thing keeping me from completing my file. Now I am really in crunch time since I have less than a month left to take it, but I still can’t do it. Does anyone have any advice for getting better on this event in an extremely short time? I go lifting everyday after my basketball practice and try to practice the actual arm hang itself every night, but it still isn’t working. Any help anyone can provide would be extremely appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>Bluefalcon-
How long are you usually able to hang in there?
I guess the only advice I have you have probably already heard. Try to put your mind somewhere else. Think about something, anything else. Someone on this forum had recommendations also, I think they said sing Happy Birthday twice through or something like that. Also, I don't think they specify how far apart your hands have to be. Try experiementing with that and see which grip works best. Having a close grip helped me immensely in pull ups.
Good luck to you!</p>
<p>There's a thread in the West Point forum with some good tips on the PAE and the flexed arm hang ("PAE"). Also - I've heard that doing reverse pullups (eg, start from the hang and slowly let yourself down) is a good way to build up.</p>
<p>hmm well, althoguh failing a PAE event isnt good, it's not horrible, b/c the PAE is based ona cumulative score, so as long as you kick butt on the other events, it should even it out</p>
<p>you're not alone, most people sturggle with pull-ups/flex arm hang and the basketball throw</p>
<p>If you have trouble with the PAE, you'll almost certainly have even more trouble--LOTS of trouble--passing the cadet PFT which is MUCH, MUCH tougher. I know this first hand. If you can't pass the PAE--and it's NOT 'not a big deal' USAFA is probably not for you. I'm being frank and honest here folks. Either pass the PAE fairly and clearly on your first real testing--you KNOW what the mins and avgs are--or look into ROTC.</p>
<p>Docfrance: A low PAE score will hurt an applicant more than a high PAE score will help?</p>
<p>tbby2</p>
<p>The PAE is not just based on the cum score, you must pass each of the events.</p>
<p>sempergumby, thanks for clearing that up, the way they explained it to me at hte sumemr seminars, I was under the impression that it was a cumulative score</p>
<p>It varies by academy. For some you must pass each element; for some you need a cumulative score.</p>
<p>And I can no longer remember which is which.</p>
<p>PAE</p>
<p>USAFA-must pass each event
USNA-you must earn a minimum of 125 points through the combined achievements on all five tests AND men must perform a minimum of 2 pull-ups; women must achieve a minimum of 12 seconds on the flexed-arm hang
USMA-combination of best efforts on each of the five events with a minimum number of pushups required for men and women</p>
<p>Thanks for clearing that up about the PAEs, I was wondering how USMA figured their's out, because I passed it for the Naval Academy but not for Air Force or Army. </p>
<p>Bluefalcon, I'm sorta in the case position you're in: Everything is done but the PAE, and I had a problem until a few days ago with the basketball throw. My advice is to talk to NavGirl, who frequents the Naval Academy board. I remember a while back, she had some pointers such as count out whatever the number of seconds was to yourself before you go and hang, so you can realize how short a period it is (sorry I don't know the seconds, I'm a guy so I don't have to worry about it). I'm sure there are some other things you can do, good luck, and keep thinking positively. Even if you aren't in great physical condition now, you have another couple of months after you pass the PAE to get in even better shape and keep focusing on the goal: Surviving the academy.</p>
<p>Good luck and let us all know how this turns out.</p>
<p>Notthemomma: exactly. Flunk an event in the PFT at USAFA and your chances are VERY slim. A high score won't really be a lot of help, but it's still a good thing. They kick cadets out at USAFA for flunking the PFT a few times. You have an APA: athletic performance avg that includes PFT scores, AFT (aerobics fitness test, 1.5 mile run), and your PE grades. I know several cases of sophomore cadets kicked out because they had below a 2.0 APA and it looked like their chances of improving to above 2.0 any time soon were low. I don't know the exact translation between PFT score and APA input, but I would bet that getting just a passing cum score is 2.0 and getting a 500 is worth a 4.0--just don't know if it's a linear scale...</p>
<p>My advice to those that accept an appointment to USAFA:</p>
<p>LEARN, PRACTICE, and IMPROVE on the CADET PFT. Do it in the 15 minutes allotted for cadets. It's VERY difficult. I still have emotional scars from heaving (usually dry) after the 600 yard run! ;-) You'll take the cadet PFT in your first or second week of BCT, then again at the end of BCT, then again about a month into the school year. After that, it's once per semester.</p>
<p>Docfrance - So you're saying all of the events of the PFT are completed in 15 minutes? Wow! Pretty tough to get into the 500 club or 1000 club...</p>
<p>I can see since it's 50% of the PEA and the AFT is 15% - it's so important to stay in shape for both.</p>
<p>ALL of them in LESS than 15 minutes. They line cadets up in one end of the field house in front of a bunch of pull-up bars. They blow a whistle and the front line jumps up and does their pull-ups. If your arms don't COMPLETELY unlock (go straight) on the downside and your chin doesn't completely go over the bar (with fingers facing forward on your grip), they DON'T COUNT IT. It's VERY disappointing to put a lot of work into a pull-up and then as you descend hear the judge call the same number he/she called on the last one--indicating that one didn't count. No "kipping" alllowed either, or swinging. You return to a dead stop and do another one. It's TOUGH.</p>
<p>After that you go to the standing long jump--though it could be push-ups now. You get three jumps. They measure where your HEEL lands, like the PAE.</p>
<p>they blow the whistle again after two minutes and you go to the push-ups. Your judge will put a fist on the floor under your chest. Don't touch the fist and they say the same number again (something like... "22, 23, 24, 24, 24, 25" if they didn't count your two push-ups 24 and 25). You start in the front leaning rest and you pause/stop their to rest. If you rest on the ground, you're done.</p>
<p>For situps you have a foot bar or someone holding your ankles. You have two minutes. You have to touch right elbow to left knee and left elbow to right knee in an alternating fashion. Your ELBOWS have to slap the mat on the "down" each time for a sit-up to count.</p>
<p>When you are done with your two minutes, you have two minutes rest, then they line you up on the indoor track and you run 600 yards AT 7000 FT ALTITUDE.</p>
<p>Believe me, you will feel miserable when this is over. There are trash cans available at the finish.</p>
<p>The old cadet saying used to be "7 Drop, 7 Hop, 30, 50, 2 and Stop" for 7 pull-ups, 7 ft long jump, 30 push-ups, 50 situps, and 2 minutes in the run. Those used to be the minimums in each event. Now, I think the sit-up mins are 55 and the push-ups are 35, but I'm not sure on that one.</p>
<p>It's scored like a pentathlon with points for each performance. You need 200/500 to pass, I think. You can flunk one event, but if you score 250 or more overall you pass the PFT. You can't flunk two events.</p>
<p>On another day, you have to do the AFT (Aerobics Fitness Test) where you run a mile-and-a-half. I think the guys' min is something like 11:30 and women are somewhere in the 12's. Again, this is at 7000 Ft altitude.</p>
<p>The tests are tough, but USAFA cadets (along with their other service academy counterparts) are THE best conditioned (overall) student body in America.</p>
<p>I had my Dad install a pull-up bar at my bedroom doorway so that I can constantly practice at any time. I passed the PAE however i am still using it!</p>