Which service has the toughest physical fitness test and professional appearance standards?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:42:14 -0400

Whether it's readiness training, daily physical fitness or job-specific tasks, which service truly puts themselves to the grind harder? How do we measure the athleticism in the services? Being a Soldier, I go with the Army overall being the toughest in the long haul with the Marines being tougher for the short careerist. The Navy have the Navy Seals which is by far the toughest of elite forces, but Air Force requires phenomenal feats of individual physical fitness to fly the jets. Finally, I want nothing to do with guarding our coast lines and fighting drug trafficking and illegal smuggling all alone in the deep dark waters of our shores. I think this is tough, but I am going with Army.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 8 at 2015 3:45 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:45:44 -0400

IMO it would be the USMC.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 8 at 2015 3:45 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:45:46 -0400

I would have to go with the Marines.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 3:51 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:51:55 -0400

Long time Army guy here ... and I vote for the USMC. Hands down.

Response by Sgt Andrew Zapf made Oct 8 at 2015 3:57 PM

Sgt Andrew Zapf — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:57:01 -0400

I wouldn't so much as base it on toughness. Rather specific mission capability and readiness. Every service helps out as a whole and has different standards in order to keep what each service needs in retaining it's fine men and woman. Some services are more physical than others.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 3:58 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:58:15 -0400

Is this really a question???

Marines run three miles twice the distance of the Airforce/Navy. You'd be hard pressed to see a 30 year Marine without physical ailments.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 4:06 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:06:10 -0400

The Marine Corps, hands down. I don't know any other service that will question and process a person for "looking" fat. Which I agree with doing.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 4:19 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:19:29 -0400

Marine Corps.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 4:21 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:21:15 -0400

Well you mentioned Navy seals which is like a tenth of a percent of the entire Navy. And we have really lax standards especially underway. So I would say marines.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 8 at 2015 4:26 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:26:08 -0400

Each branch has some units who are really into PT and others units who aren't...I was in Force Troops with 1st Recon , 1st Radio, 1st ANGLICO, 1st 155 Howitzer and 1st Headquarters.....1st Recon was by far the most into PT and Headquarters sat on their duffs typing, filing and drinking gallons of coffee..I don't think they knew what PT was all about..

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 8 at 2015 4:35 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:35:24 -0400

Is there even a question? Marines

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 8:18 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:18:48 -0400

Biased and the vote goes to...

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Oct 8 at 2015 11:26 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 23:26:38 -0400

The average Marine is in significantly better shape than the average Servicemember from any other Service. Their Dress Uniforms are, without question, the most impressive in their simplicity, recognizability, and appearance. The only drawback to the Marines, and the thing that made me choose the Army is that they're goddamned crazy! I get that we need those kind of "berserker" warriors, but that just isn't me. I have nothing but the utmost respect for them.

Response by SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II made Oct 9 at 2015 1:30 AM

SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 01:30:06 -0400

Overall the Marines have some tough obstacles and some crazy P.T. and the Army second the Army has a better approach to war strategy and thinking skills as well as schools. I am a U.S. Army veteran when I was in peak physical condition I could never and still don't have the strength to do a single pull-up, but I could definitely out run them in the 3 mile run and sit-ups. Just my opinion

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 9 at 2015 2:02 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 02:02:17 -0400

In terms of regular PT standards for the majority of each branches members I would have to say the USMC has the toughest followed by the Army. I know nothing about the Coast Guard but I am under the impression that the Navy is similar to the Air Force if not a little bit tougher there. The AF or the CG would then come in the last two positions I would guess.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 11:50 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 11:50:29 -0400

The only service that I have never seen obesity is the Marines. I'm sure there are some, but I've never seen it. That says something. If someone with a BMI of over 30 (clinically obese) can pass a PFT, then that PFT isn't rigorous enough. I will say that the USAF pushups and situps requirement is more stringent than the Army, but we run 0.5 miles less. The average speed to pass the AF PFT with a good score is over 7-8mph for the duration of the run. That's a pretty good clip.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 5:45 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 17:45:28 -0400

I'm sorry but I don't see that many Marines breaking out of their duty uniform like I do the Army. Fat is still fat. I don't care about PC. If you're fat, you're out of shape. If you can't climb a flight of stairs without sweating and wheezing, you're out of shape. Sorry Battle, the toughness award goes to the Marines in my opinion.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Mar 16 at 2016 6:29 PM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:29:56 -0400

I am biased, I fully admit.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Mar 31 at 2016 12:22 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:22:46 -0400

Navy Submarine Force. Too fat? You're not getting out the hatch to leave the sub and be with your family after patrol. Let that sink in for a moment...

Response by MGySgt Dictionary Pate made Jul 28 at 2018 7:23 PM

MGySgt Dictionary Pate — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 19:23:39 -0400

All great