Comments on: Corps Introduces Tough New Fitness Test

By: EM2(SS)

EM2(SS) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:33:24 +0000

LOL, Asterix –you’re right on the money for a sub PRT!
Just add in the sprints through the engine room with a full CO2 extinguisher or a flooding damage control kit, and you’re golden!

By: Fitnrg

Fitnrg — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:14:06 +0000

http://www.fitnrg.com is a fitness and diet tracking site. It tracks your daily calories, exercises, body weight, activities, plan meals, etc. It

By: Asterix

Asterix — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:45:44 +0000

Sub guys have been griping (!) about the PRT’s inapplicability for years. Why do a timed 1.5 mile run when bow to stern is only 300 yards? What good are pushups when there are only two spots onboard big enough to do them? Suggested replacements include:
– 50-ft 300lb dead weight drag and 2-foot lift, to simulate pulling the overweight (certainly doesn’t fake the PFT) chief who passed out in his FFE and getting him through the watertight door. Exercise must be performed breathing through a washrag doused in hydraulic oil to simulate EAB conditions.
– 20-foot climb while carrying unspecified weight, to simulate getting to those outboard controlled inventory lockers. Also a good way of seeing if your fat butt can lift yourself into the top rack without stepping on all your neighbors.
– 500 square foot hands and knees strip ‘n’ wax, because goddarn it this whole deck needs to be done before the end of the midwatch.
Sadly, none of these ever drummed up the excitement of, say, the HPAC Rodeo.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:37:18 +0000

Heck yeah the other branches need this. I can even imagine my fellow airmen pulling something like this, except we’ed be lifting computer cases instead of ammo cans. :)
Gotta watch those sailors during the two man carry though. They’re liable to get… uhmmm, distracted.

By: EM2(SS)

EM2(SS) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:05:30 +0000

“No more body building, Marine, it’s time to put together a “functional fitness program” that incorporates short bursts of high-intensity activity using lots of muscles.“
Good for them. At least the Marines are getting smart.
Crap, did I actually say that? Smart Marines? What is the world coming to? j/k :-)
In all seriousness, I’m glad they did it. I wish the other branches would get onboard with PFTs that actually matter, vs. the standard push up, sit up, run regimen. At least this is based on the real world:
“The “maneuver under fire” portion of the test is a 300-yard muscle-burning combination of crawling, casualty dragging, fireman carry, grenade throw simulation ending with a slalom run to the finish line with two 30-pound ammo cans.“
Well done, Marines, especially for Gen. Conway. Now the rest of the services need to get smart, too.