Posted on Jul 3, 2014
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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I accidently landed on this show while channel surfing a month ago and now my wife & I are hooked. You kind of go, "Huh?" when you look at the tone, physique and prowess of these competitors (some of whom have a military backgrounds) and compare that to the "general overall" condition of SMs. (believe me I was no HT/WT, PT stud muffin and contributed to the problem) Barring the super-human feats that these folks accomplish - like the upside down angled rock climbing wall 30 feet in the air I saw the other night - should the services strive for a base level of strength, dexterity and endurance that these folks display, something the current PT program IMHO does not provide for?
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Responses: 7
COL Vincent Stoneking
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No.
To clarify, INDIVIDUALS, if they want should so strive.

However, these people are almost all athletes in their own right, whether pro or amateur. Either way, I would guess that they put in 20+ hours a week of training at the low end of the scale. For some, it is a full-fledged second (or first!) job. I kickbox, and did MMA before that, and daily run across similar people who live in the gym and go to work to earn the money to pay gym dues.

That's fine if that's the life you chose. (I have moved to 3x week doing two a day workouts - goodbye gut! knock on wood.) However, the military needs people doing their jobs. They can't do that if they are spending all day working out, measuring their protein powder & chicken breasts, and icing today's injury.

The baseline standard should be just that - overall good health. For the more physical MOS's, there should be a higher baseline - but still below the obsessive level of Ninja Warrior or professional athletes (Yes, I know all about the "Soldier athlete".....stuff going around), with maybe the exception of SO forces.

Btw, love American Ninja Warrior. But the Japanese original is better. :-) No "top thirty go on", you either finish the course, or you don't.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
10 y
Yes, I agree, Sir. on all counts. Had to find a way to weasel in ANW and thought this would provide a good vehicle. :-)
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COL John Rosnow
COL John Rosnow
10 y
Great comment and I totally concur. People need to be balanced and be able to do their jobs.
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MAJ Commander
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FYI: As you all tune in to ANW (that's insider parlance for America Ninja Warrior), check out the Ninja stylings of Mr. Ryan Stratis. Stratis, a six-year Veteran of Sasuke, is a former Georgia Guard Captain. I worked with this guy and I can tell you he eats, sleeps and breathes ANW. Dude's training regimen is insane. Best part, he is a genuinely nice fellow who gives back to the community and is humble about his accomplishments. Stratis is in the hunt this year in the ANW competition.

Here's a video of his run at the 2013 semi finals in Miami. Dude is a beast.

http://tv.esquire.com/videos/70536-ryan-stratis-at-the-american-ninja-warrior-2013-miami-finals
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LTC Paul Labrador
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Couple thoughts:

1) as LTC Stoneking pointed out, these folks are freak of nature athletes who not only have natural ability but spend an inordinate amount of time training for this specific challenge.

2) Let's see them do those stunts in full battle-rattle before we get too excited. Yeah it's fun to watch, but if you're going to extrapolate that to the military, train as you fight....

3) Amercian Ninjas is nowhere near as fun to watch at the original Japanese version (or even the early American version called WipeOut with the Mystery Science Theater 3000-esque voice overs). Not only were the challenges hard in the Japanese version, they were also kinda goofy and fun to watch folks wipe out on.
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LTC Paul Labrador
LTC Paul Labrador
10 y
This is more my speed.... ;o)
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MSG(P) Michael Warrick
MSG(P) Michael Warrick
10 y
No sir that is two different physical activities !
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CPT Zachary Brooks
CPT Zachary Brooks
10 y
LTC Paul Labrador MXC is the Americanized version of Takeshi's Castle. Its mostly a comedy show.
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LTC Paul Labrador
LTC Paul Labrador
10 y
Yup...that's why it's more my speed... ;o)
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