Now Marines can opt to row instead of run for the PFT

rowing can be a brutal workout! man, i would rather run than do a bunch of rowing. ;-)

I have always thought that running around in tennis shoes and nylon skivvies is a poor test of physical fitness. We don't fight in Tennis Shoes and silk panties. Hopefully we aren't back to rowing jolly boats to get ashore.

I'll agree that the Marines who couldn't run three miles in under 27 minutes were most likely going to be your hump drops. But there were Marine who could run three miles in 18-24 minutes, who struggled to complete a 25 mile march after a week in the field. I think multiple endurance, strength, and flexibility tests that are the same or mimic combat tasks and go for 3-5 days are a far better predictor. A Hell of a lot tougher to implement and evaluate, but far better predictors.

Its nice to see someone in DOD thinking outside the box when it comes to PT and fitness. Especially since running has proven to be detrimental to older folks especially with knee and back issues.