This week’s Marine Corps Times takes a look at the new physical fitness requirements for female Marines and the impact the change is likely to have on the entire force, not just women. In a forcewide message last week, Marine Commandant Gen. Jim Amos announced that women will be required to complete three pullups to pass the test and eight to achieve a perfect PFT score starting in 2014. The change is likely to impact promotion fairness and unit training for men and women starting in 2013. The flexed-arm hang will remain as part of the Corps’ initial strength test…
Browsing: Combat Fitness Test
As outlined earlier this week, Marines in Afghanistan have a new commander, Maj. Gen. John Toolan. He has taken command from Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, who led troops in Regional Command-Southwest for nearly a year. Marine Corps Times news editor Tony Lombardo pointed out this photo to me earlier this week. It shows Toolan during a Combat Fitness Test carrying Sgt. Michael Taggart, the noncommissioned officer in charge of II Marine Expeditionary Force’s special security office. It was taken Dec. 10 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., before II MEF (Forward) Marines deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Toolan has been in the…
Since it was first introduced in 2008, the Combat Fitness Test has taken its place as a part of Marine Corps life. And while it’s still dreaded by some Marines, an analysis of data released by the Corps shows that high scores are relatively common. That leads to another dilemma, captured in Marine Corps Times’ print edition this week: Should the Corps make the CFT harder? Marine officials aren’t ruling the idea out. A full breakdown on how Marines have done on the test so far and what is possible in the future is available on newsstands now. Subscribe here.
