Master Sgt. Ross Strom thought he was ready when he took a version of theArmy's new fitness test. The 49-year-old maintenance noncommissioned officer was used to doing a combination of running and CrossFit six times a week.
"I was like, 'I'll be able to do this, no problem,' " Strom told Military.com, recalling when he volunteered to participate in last year's pilot for the Army Combat Readiness Test, the near-identical precursor to the new Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT.
But as he worked his way through each of the events -- the deadlift, the power throw, the sprint-drag-carry, the pushups and the leg tuck -- Strom felt the exertion build in his muscles like never before.
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My son went through basic training and said it was a joke. Most of the guys in his company could barely make it. He wanted to do evening runs just to burn off energy. Out entire country is out of shape. Just look at gym class - or physical education. the kids sweat more in algebra.
ReplyDeleteThese expectations should apply to all law enforcement as well.
ReplyDeleteThis new test is going to weed out a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't say whether women will have to do the same course.
Good. The current Army fitness test is a joke. When is the last time soldiers in combat had to strip down to PT gear and run 2 miles? NEVER. When't the last time they had to lift a wounded buddy in a firefight? Pretty frequently. I've been in the military for 12 years, and I ADORE this test. It's a great equalizer. I started doing this test in the Marines, where it's called the Combat Fitness Test. These are REAL fitness goals. Can you lift a wounded comrade? Can you toss ammo up to your gunner in the turret of a vehicle? Can you get yourself into an advantageous firing position to engage your enemy? THESE are the kinds of physical fitness the military needs to be training for. Not "How many sit-ups can you do in 2 minutes".
ReplyDeleteWell this proves it, we need to relax the qualifications, lower the standards, and allow everyone to pass and get a ribbon.
ReplyDeleteWon't that make you sleep easier knowing that our country is protected by the least fit slobs in the world?
Kind of like when you get a Doctor, Engineer, or other supposed to be skilled graduate from a university that has lowered its admition standards to include everyone.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThis new test is going to weed out a lot of people.
It doesn't say whether women will have to do the same course.
September 25, 2018 at 8:56 AM
Some women will outdo their male counterparts.
Tougher Fitness eh Army? You missed your recruitment goal in Fiscal Year 2018, what did you expect. STOP recruiting in low income, blight, run down/high crime areas of the nation. That's practically discrimination in a sense. Need to recruit harder in mid America, sorry its just a simple fact. Hard work recruiting on the front end won't require you to toughen Fitness in the long run, which saves time and resources.
ReplyDeleteCome on now, don't we teach you officers from West Point good business development AND common sense to make fiscally sound decisions???
Maybe some bean counter needs to look into what we get out of West Point.....Hmmmm......and a football team doesn't do squat in protecting my nation either!