thedrifter
10-11-08, 07:28 PM
Marines test combat fitness
October 11, 2008 - 7:03PM
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Sit-ups, pull-ups and a three-mile run may be a good way to gauge a certain type of fitness, but Marines in battle are unlikely to be called on to take off their boots and perform calisthenics or enter a 5K race.
With that in mind, the Marine Corps has revamped its fitness standards and programs, and added a new test to supplement the Physical Fitness Test.
The Combat Fitness Test is designed to test Marines' physical fitness by putting them through a series of combat-related tasks. The three-part test will be a semi-annual requirement for all Marines, and will be scored on a 300-point system starting Oct. 1, 2009. Until then, Marines will be marked either pass or fail.
This week, a handful of Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division tried out the CFT, getting certified to monitor the test for the Marines in their companies.
Unlike the PFT, in which Marines wear athletic shoes, T-shirts and shorts, the CFT requires Marines to wear their camouflage utilities and boots. For the first leg of the test, Marines are timed as they sprint 880 yards. Next, after at least a five-minute break, Marines lift a 30-pound ammunition can from shoulder level to overhead as many times as possible in a two-minute period.
The third portion is the 300-yard "maneuver under fire," a timed obstacle course that includes crawling, dragging and carrying a fellow Marine, tossing a grenade and carrying ammunition cans over a short distance.
Staff Sgt. Michael Martineau, assistant operations chief for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, administered the test Thursday. He said it is more combat-specific than the PFT.
"You're never going to be in Iraq maneuvering in shorts and sneakers," he said, referring to the requirement that Marines wear their uniforms and boots for the CFT.
While the PFT is more aerobic, the CFT is anaerobic, he said.
"It gives incentive to their command to train to this," Martineau said.
Cpl. Kenneth Roe, with Military Police Company, said Thursday was the first time he had ever done anything like the CFT, but it wasn't too bad.
"It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, but it wasn't as easy as everyone made it out to be," he said. "It's all going to come down to conditioning."
Cpl. Joe Reilly, also with MP Company, said the test was a good workout.
"This is one of the better things the Marine Corps has come out with," he said. "It was a lot harder than I thought."
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway explained the CFT in All Marines message 032/08, signed August 8.
"Throughout our 232-year history, the Marine Corps has fulfilled commitments to make Marines and win our nation's battles," ALMAR 032/08 reads. "As a fighting force, our ability to fulfill this commitment and accomplish the mission is dependent, in part, upon the fitness of our Marines."
The test "measures the physical fitness of Marines by using tests which reflect operational demands," and will supplement the PFT, the message reads.
The test will be relatively easy for many combat-arms Marines, Martineau said. But for others, it is a good reason to work toward that type of fitness, he said.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467
October 11, 2008 - 7:03PM
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Sit-ups, pull-ups and a three-mile run may be a good way to gauge a certain type of fitness, but Marines in battle are unlikely to be called on to take off their boots and perform calisthenics or enter a 5K race.
With that in mind, the Marine Corps has revamped its fitness standards and programs, and added a new test to supplement the Physical Fitness Test.
The Combat Fitness Test is designed to test Marines' physical fitness by putting them through a series of combat-related tasks. The three-part test will be a semi-annual requirement for all Marines, and will be scored on a 300-point system starting Oct. 1, 2009. Until then, Marines will be marked either pass or fail.
This week, a handful of Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division tried out the CFT, getting certified to monitor the test for the Marines in their companies.
Unlike the PFT, in which Marines wear athletic shoes, T-shirts and shorts, the CFT requires Marines to wear their camouflage utilities and boots. For the first leg of the test, Marines are timed as they sprint 880 yards. Next, after at least a five-minute break, Marines lift a 30-pound ammunition can from shoulder level to overhead as many times as possible in a two-minute period.
The third portion is the 300-yard "maneuver under fire," a timed obstacle course that includes crawling, dragging and carrying a fellow Marine, tossing a grenade and carrying ammunition cans over a short distance.
Staff Sgt. Michael Martineau, assistant operations chief for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, administered the test Thursday. He said it is more combat-specific than the PFT.
"You're never going to be in Iraq maneuvering in shorts and sneakers," he said, referring to the requirement that Marines wear their uniforms and boots for the CFT.
While the PFT is more aerobic, the CFT is anaerobic, he said.
"It gives incentive to their command to train to this," Martineau said.
Cpl. Kenneth Roe, with Military Police Company, said Thursday was the first time he had ever done anything like the CFT, but it wasn't too bad.
"It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, but it wasn't as easy as everyone made it out to be," he said. "It's all going to come down to conditioning."
Cpl. Joe Reilly, also with MP Company, said the test was a good workout.
"This is one of the better things the Marine Corps has come out with," he said. "It was a lot harder than I thought."
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway explained the CFT in All Marines message 032/08, signed August 8.
"Throughout our 232-year history, the Marine Corps has fulfilled commitments to make Marines and win our nation's battles," ALMAR 032/08 reads. "As a fighting force, our ability to fulfill this commitment and accomplish the mission is dependent, in part, upon the fitness of our Marines."
The test "measures the physical fitness of Marines by using tests which reflect operational demands," and will supplement the PFT, the message reads.
The test will be relatively easy for many combat-arms Marines, Martineau said. But for others, it is a good reason to work toward that type of fitness, he said.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467