The US Marine Corps is adding a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) that will measure a Marine’s ability to execute more combat-like exercises. The CFT is currently being tested, and is scheduled to be implemented in June. The CFT comes as part of a change to the way the Corps measures a Marine’s fitness, according to Marine Corps Times. Other sources say the CFT has come about as a result of lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, where many trigger-pullers couldn’t hoist themselves over walls. It is still undecided whether the CFT will be scored or pass/fail, or whether the test will be conducted annually or semiannually. The CFT is not meant to replace the current PFT, which will remain unchanged, but will augment it.

The Corps is considering seven possibilities for CFT events, including a grenade throw, dynamic entry, maneuver under fire with diagonal running, maneuver under fire with straight ahead running, casualty carry, casualty drag, and ammo resupply. It will likely be administered in three parts: the 880 yard sprint, the ammo can drill, and the maneuver under fire drill, which will be a four-part obstacle course that will include sprinting, throwing a grenade, running with two ammo cans and moving a mock casualty.

Commandant Gen. James Conway, who introduced the concept, says the CFT is “Designed to augment our current PFT, the CFT under development will consist of events that more closely replicate the physical demands of combat." The CFT will become mandatory about the same time as the Corps’ new body fat program, and will likely affect promotions, assignments and re-enlistment prospects.

(Photo by Lance Cpl. David Rogers)

It has nothing to do with standing around an ash tray. A barbecue with a full rack of ribs. Or murder. The smoke session I'm referring to is an intense, deomoralizing session of physical activity in which the subject[s] are most often times in trouble for something or they are being evaluated for some illustrious position, such as candidacy for some elite military field. It can be done on a single individual, an individual and his buddy, or a whole group of individuals. Also called a haze session, probably because the subjects don't want to be involved 99% of the time.

This is the third of a series of Autopsies which outline and detail a plan to score perfect on each of the US military branch's fitness tests. The last one we covered was the [[Max Out the US Air Force Fitness Test|Air Force Physical Fitness Test]] ; this one is on the USMC Physical Fitness Test [PFT]. The reason for this series is simple: we believe if there is a guideline, you should strive for perfection every time.

Overview of the USMC Physical Fitness Test

There are many ways to assess physical fitness levels, and with each of these assessments comes scoring methods.  If you’re anything like me, when you know there is a score of some type involved, you want to score perfect.  This Autopsy will show you how to do just that; this one is the first of a series of Autopsies which will outline and detail a plan to score perfect on each of these tests.  This one is on the US Army Physical Fitness Test.

Overview of the APFT

This is the second of a series of Autopsies which outline and detail a plan to score perfect on each of the US military branch's fitness tests.  The last one we covered was the [[Max Out the US Army Physical Fitness Test|Army Physical Fitness Test]] ; this one is on the US Air Force Fitness Test.  The reason for this series is simple: we believe if there is a guideline, you should strive for perfection every time.

Overview of the Air Force Fitness Test