Posted on Mar 28, 2014
Should the APFT be altered to actually test combat fitness levels?
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Lets face it, doing 2 minutes of push ups and sit ups is not going to test your fitness for combat. Sure, a soldier can show his muscular endurance and pass with a 100/100, but can he lift me (220lbs, without kit on) out of a truck? And in a combat situation, if you have to run 2 miles, then something very bad has happened. My suggestion, is implement lifting/sprints. For example, deadlifting the average weight of a soldier in kit. Lets say, 275lbs. Then, doing timed sprints, 50-100 meters. Average length of the distance you'd have to bound in a dismounted combat situation, yes? These are just some ideas/suggestions of mine. Oh, and to add on an additional topic, the standard should be the same, across the board. At least for combat MOS soldiers. Yes ma'am, if I go down, you have to be able to lift me up and carry me to the HLZ if it comes down to it.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
It is...it's still being tested.
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SSG (Join to see)
I have seen that before MSG. But, the Army has been saying for years that the APFT will change, and it has constantly remained the same. This was just an idea/suggestion of mine and I think would form a good baseline for all MOS's, just tweaked a bit for physical requirements of the job.
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SFC (Join to see)
Just finished the survey from CASCOM on this exact subject. Regardless of how long it takes to come out with another APFT I'd rather it be right than just thrown out to the field. As an Army we need to learn and grow rather than remain stagnant, sometimes that growth is slow and painful.
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