thedrifter
01-23-08, 10:04 AM
Marines Size Up New Fitness Test
Jan 18, 2008 by Marine Corps News
Pfc. B. A. Curtis, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines from Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, tested multiple events from the Marine Corps’ new Combat Fitness Test, Jan. 11, at the CLR-27 Regimental Physical Training field here.
The Marines tested three events scheduled to be implemented into the CFT during summer 2008. The events held included a casualty carry course, ammunition re-supply course and a maneuver under fire course.
"Today we were introduced to the Combat Fitness Test for the first time," said Pfc. Jonathan D. Grubbs, a financial management resource analyst with the 2nd MLG Comptroller and a participant in the event. "It was very motivating, but at the same time extremely strenuous."
The events were tested during a monthly Headquarters Company physical training session and according to the letter of instruction, the test "measures the physical fitness of Marines in a manner which specifically accounts for operational readiness by using tests, which reflect operational demands."
The remainder of events that are scheduled to be implemented into the CFT are still under development and according to Staff Sgt. Demetrius J. King, the Headquarters Company gunnery sergeant, are likely to be tested during later company physical training sessions.
Maj. Timothy M. Cooley, the assistant chief of staff of the 2nd MLG G-4 (Logistics) section, said the purpose of the events implemented into the CFT is to test Marines’ combat endurance and prepare them for the possible rigorous situations that they may encounter in a combat environment.
"We have learned that we need to enhance some of our warfighting skills," Cooley, a participant in the test, explained. "This will help us improve our skills on the battlefield."
According to King, the addition of the CFT will provide the need for Marines to change their usual physical training schedules, which currently revolve around the standard Physical Fitness Test.
"Since the Marine Corps plans on implementing the CFT this summer, I would like to get out there and prepare my Marines now," King said.
The CFT will be used as a compliment to the PFT and will likely be graded as a pass or fail event.
A letter introduced by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway to Marine Corps commanders, Nov. 26, states the CFT "will be a scored event that will influence promotion retention and assignment."
"The PFT tests your running ability, your endurance, your upper-body strength and how many crunches you can do," Cooley said. "It really doesn’t test how you will be able to perform on the battlefield."
Cooley explained that the CFT will test how well Marines can perform actions that are likely to occur on today’s battlefield, such as carrying wounded Marines, supplying Marines with ammunition and maneuvering under fire.
The events from the CFT introduced to the Marines of CLR-27 also served a valuable purpose of bringing Marines from all ranks together to prepare them for the possible battles of the future.
"When you see your higher enlisted personnel and officers working beside you and going through the same things as you, it is really motivating," said Cpl. Matthew P. Anderson, a financial management resource analyst with the 2nd MLG and a participant in the event. "The test will prepare us for what’s to come."
The old Marine Corps workout-plan that has weathered the years is no where near retirement, but will soon be even more challenging as the Marine Corps better prepares its Marines for battle.
Ellie
Jan 18, 2008 by Marine Corps News
Pfc. B. A. Curtis, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines from Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, tested multiple events from the Marine Corps’ new Combat Fitness Test, Jan. 11, at the CLR-27 Regimental Physical Training field here.
The Marines tested three events scheduled to be implemented into the CFT during summer 2008. The events held included a casualty carry course, ammunition re-supply course and a maneuver under fire course.
"Today we were introduced to the Combat Fitness Test for the first time," said Pfc. Jonathan D. Grubbs, a financial management resource analyst with the 2nd MLG Comptroller and a participant in the event. "It was very motivating, but at the same time extremely strenuous."
The events were tested during a monthly Headquarters Company physical training session and according to the letter of instruction, the test "measures the physical fitness of Marines in a manner which specifically accounts for operational readiness by using tests, which reflect operational demands."
The remainder of events that are scheduled to be implemented into the CFT are still under development and according to Staff Sgt. Demetrius J. King, the Headquarters Company gunnery sergeant, are likely to be tested during later company physical training sessions.
Maj. Timothy M. Cooley, the assistant chief of staff of the 2nd MLG G-4 (Logistics) section, said the purpose of the events implemented into the CFT is to test Marines’ combat endurance and prepare them for the possible rigorous situations that they may encounter in a combat environment.
"We have learned that we need to enhance some of our warfighting skills," Cooley, a participant in the test, explained. "This will help us improve our skills on the battlefield."
According to King, the addition of the CFT will provide the need for Marines to change their usual physical training schedules, which currently revolve around the standard Physical Fitness Test.
"Since the Marine Corps plans on implementing the CFT this summer, I would like to get out there and prepare my Marines now," King said.
The CFT will be used as a compliment to the PFT and will likely be graded as a pass or fail event.
A letter introduced by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway to Marine Corps commanders, Nov. 26, states the CFT "will be a scored event that will influence promotion retention and assignment."
"The PFT tests your running ability, your endurance, your upper-body strength and how many crunches you can do," Cooley said. "It really doesn’t test how you will be able to perform on the battlefield."
Cooley explained that the CFT will test how well Marines can perform actions that are likely to occur on today’s battlefield, such as carrying wounded Marines, supplying Marines with ammunition and maneuvering under fire.
The events from the CFT introduced to the Marines of CLR-27 also served a valuable purpose of bringing Marines from all ranks together to prepare them for the possible battles of the future.
"When you see your higher enlisted personnel and officers working beside you and going through the same things as you, it is really motivating," said Cpl. Matthew P. Anderson, a financial management resource analyst with the 2nd MLG and a participant in the event. "The test will prepare us for what’s to come."
The old Marine Corps workout-plan that has weathered the years is no where near retirement, but will soon be even more challenging as the Marine Corps better prepares its Marines for battle.
Ellie