thedrifter
10-29-08, 07:22 AM
Marines Run Through New Combat Fitness Test at Camp Lejeune
By Philip Jones
Reporter
Published: October 28, 2008
Ask Marines and they’ll tell you they pride themselves on their fitness.
In fact, Marines have to pass a semi-annual Physical Fitness Test, or PFT.
But the Marine Corps is also rolling out a new, specialized Combat Fitness Test to gauge combat readiness.
Nine On Your Side’s Philip Jones was there when the test rolled out at Camp Lejeune and explains its importance.
Dozens of Marines spent Tuesday morning watching as a handful of their fellow Marines pushed through a new fitness test designed to gauge combat readiness.
They were observing the Marine Corps’ roll-out of the Combat Fitness Test—a tool designed to replicate the rigors of combat and supplement the Corps’ standard PFT.
“While the PFT is a good test for what it tests, the physical demands on a Marine aren’t getting any lighter in the combat arenas that we’re in,” said Col. Brian McGuire, a physical readiness programs officer from Marine Corps Base Quantico. “And the Combat Fitness Test definitely is a complement to the Physical Fitness Test.”
McGuire is helping oversee the roll-out of the test. Through the use of some selfless volunteers—like Sgt. Charlia Sato—McGuire demonstrated the lifting, running and flat out physical fortitude that’s needed to make it through.
To pass, Marines must run 880 yards, lift a 30-pound ammo can repeatedly for two minutes and carry a wounded colleague to safety—and that’s only part of it.
“It’s more of a challenge [than the PFT],” Sato said. “You get up, you sprint, you run, you’re told to run here and run there and get down and do the low crawl. It’s a little bit more of a challenge.”
But McGuire said he’s sure the Marines will rise to the challenge.
“Physical fitness has been a hallmark of Marines for our nearly 233 years of existence—and this is certainly an enhancement,” McGuire said.
And something the Marines at Camp Lejeune hope will be a practical tool to help them get ready for combat.
Every active duty and reserve Marine will have to take the test by March 31st of next year.
The test will roll-out at MCAS New River Wednesday and at MCAS Cherry Point on Thursday and Friday.
To learn more about the test and some more of its elements, just enter the keyword “links” here on WNCT.com.
Video and Photos
http://www.wnct.com/nct/news/local/military/article/marines_run_through_new_combat_fitness_test_at_cam p_lejeune/22240/
Ellie
By Philip Jones
Reporter
Published: October 28, 2008
Ask Marines and they’ll tell you they pride themselves on their fitness.
In fact, Marines have to pass a semi-annual Physical Fitness Test, or PFT.
But the Marine Corps is also rolling out a new, specialized Combat Fitness Test to gauge combat readiness.
Nine On Your Side’s Philip Jones was there when the test rolled out at Camp Lejeune and explains its importance.
Dozens of Marines spent Tuesday morning watching as a handful of their fellow Marines pushed through a new fitness test designed to gauge combat readiness.
They were observing the Marine Corps’ roll-out of the Combat Fitness Test—a tool designed to replicate the rigors of combat and supplement the Corps’ standard PFT.
“While the PFT is a good test for what it tests, the physical demands on a Marine aren’t getting any lighter in the combat arenas that we’re in,” said Col. Brian McGuire, a physical readiness programs officer from Marine Corps Base Quantico. “And the Combat Fitness Test definitely is a complement to the Physical Fitness Test.”
McGuire is helping oversee the roll-out of the test. Through the use of some selfless volunteers—like Sgt. Charlia Sato—McGuire demonstrated the lifting, running and flat out physical fortitude that’s needed to make it through.
To pass, Marines must run 880 yards, lift a 30-pound ammo can repeatedly for two minutes and carry a wounded colleague to safety—and that’s only part of it.
“It’s more of a challenge [than the PFT],” Sato said. “You get up, you sprint, you run, you’re told to run here and run there and get down and do the low crawl. It’s a little bit more of a challenge.”
But McGuire said he’s sure the Marines will rise to the challenge.
“Physical fitness has been a hallmark of Marines for our nearly 233 years of existence—and this is certainly an enhancement,” McGuire said.
And something the Marines at Camp Lejeune hope will be a practical tool to help them get ready for combat.
Every active duty and reserve Marine will have to take the test by March 31st of next year.
The test will roll-out at MCAS New River Wednesday and at MCAS Cherry Point on Thursday and Friday.
To learn more about the test and some more of its elements, just enter the keyword “links” here on WNCT.com.
Video and Photos
http://www.wnct.com/nct/news/local/military/article/marines_run_through_new_combat_fitness_test_at_cam p_lejeune/22240/
Ellie