Combat fitness test: should each service have one?

2014-12-18T12:05:39-05:00

I realize there are some changes coming and significant believe the Marine has started the combat fitness test. I need all services to chime in on this one. For your individual military branch: Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard...what combat fitness test would be a gold standard, or do the Marines have the right idea, and we should just follow them? Marines and Army are more about being in combat and FEBA, so I was thinking we create a combat fitness test for all of the services.

Initially, I thought a 1 mile run in full battle rattle, but it seems the Marines take everything to the next level...it's like a CrossFit workout combat buddy style. Any Marines out there that have completed this CFT...? Care to comment...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 12:04 PM

2014-12-18T12:04:26-05:00

If it doesn't have one, should it? Why and why not?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 18 at 2014 12:16 PM

2014-12-18T12:16:56-05:00

I advocated such a thing when I was in... Set as a pass / fail.. All events must be completed, and a minimum time finished.
make it an annual or Biannual event tied to pre promotion board..NCOER (OER)
Or simply a deployment task for ANY servicemen that will be departing the wire.. as in a pre-qualification test.

Not gender adjusted... you can either get over a 8 foot wall in your assigned combat load or you can not.
You can either run / walk / jog the entire course in XX min or you can not.
You can either drag a 1xxlb dummy xxx feet or you can not.

It was a fantasy then, and likely still so..... it will be perceived as "unfair"

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 18 at 2014 12:44 PM

2014-12-18T12:44:12-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member It's a good complement to the PFT, we do the CFT in the fall and the PFT in the spring. I wouldn't make it the only thing we do, but it is good to do both.

FYI it consists of first half mile sprint in boots and utilities, followed by maximum 30 lb ammo can push press in 2 minutes, followed by the above depicted "maneuver under fire."

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 12:48 PM

2014-12-18T12:48:00-05:00

I feel all branches should embrace this. This should be something at the very least tied to heading to the AOR as a requirement to be completed say no more than 60 days prior to shipping out. I agree with SGM Marquez, it should not be gender adjusted either.

Response by PO2 Marty Albright made Dec 23 at 2014 9:39 AM

2014-12-23T09:39:22-05:00

Id give the Marines fitness test a go. Still think top two USMC. ..USCG

Response by PO2 Marty Albright made Dec 23 at 2014 9:43 AM

2014-12-23T09:43:51-05:00

Of course each brsnch should have one

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-03-16T14:26:13-04:00

I have always wondered why we don't do this in service. We have to run the obstacle course at least 1/week in police academy because it made us focus more on the physical tasks we would be encountering on duty.

To quote our defensive tactics instructor, "we don't run long distances every day because we are not training you to run away from s**&head, we are training you to get in there & take that s***head down!"

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Aug 11 at 2015 5:53 PM

2015-08-11T17:53:39-04:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, here's an opinion piece from a troop in the Army Times from yesterday that addresses some of the things you mentioned.
http://www.armytimes.com/story/opinion/2015/08/10/commentary-armys-fitness-training-fails-combat-test/31283677/

Commentary: Army's fitness training fails the combat test

The Army is in preparing for an era when it is shrinking will shrink in size and needs its troops to truly meet the requirements of the best Soldiers. The Army will need both the best physically and mentally trained Soldiers.