United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test

100 crunches are required for a perfect score of 100 points for this event.

The United States Marine Corps requires that all Marines perform a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) once per calendar year. Each test must have an interval of 6 months (same standards apply for reservists). The PFT ensures that Marines are keeping physically fit and in a state of physical readiness. It consists of pull-ups, crunches and a 3-mile run for males. For females it consists of flexed arm hang, crunches and a 3-mile run.

On 1 October 2008 the Marine Corps introduced the additional pass/fail Combat Fitness Test (CFT) to the fitness requirements. The CFT is designed to measure abilities demanded of Marines in a war zone.[1]

Tests

Pull-up or Flexed arm hang

A maximum score is achieved with 20 pull-ups

The pull-up may be done with either an overhand (pronated) grip or an underhand (supinated) "chin-up" grip. Changes in grip are allowed as long as the feet don't touch the ground and only the hands come in contact with the pull-up bar. The pull-up begins at the "dead-hang" with arms extended and the body hanging motionless. A successful pull-up is performed without excess motion, the body rising until the chin is above the bar, and body lowered back to the "dead-hang" position. There is no time limit.[2]

Female Marines perform the flexed hang instead of the pull-up. The flexed hang is started with the chin above the pull-up bar. The timer is started and does not stop until the arms become fully extended. The feet may not touch the ground or any part of the pull-up bar at any time.

The Marine Corps had originally indicated that, as of January 1, 2014, female Marines would be required to perform a minimum of three pull-ups in order to pass the PFT.[3] However, when more than half of female recruits were unable to meet this standard,[4][5] the change was delayed. As of 2016, the Corps was "continuing to assess" the intended changes,[6] and was considering a hybrid approach where women could choose to do either exercise, with pull-ups scoring higher than the flexed-arm hang.[4]

Crunches

Crunches are executed while lying on the back with the feet flat on the ground together or 12 inches apart (whichever is more comfortable), knees bent at a 90 degree angle, and arms on the ribcage or chest. One crunch is completed when the upper body is lifted until both arms touch the thighs and then lowered until the shoulder blades touch the ground. The arms must be in constant contact with the chest or rib cage; the buttocks must be in constant contact with the ground. The exercise is performed with the heels of the feet kept in constant contact with the ground. The Marine is given two minutes to complete as many crunches as possible.

Run

A perfect score is achieved by completing the three mile run in less than 18 minutes

The Marine runs three miles on reasonably flat ground. (Actual distance may vary slightly.) The 3 miles is approximately 5 kilometers.

Scoring

Minimum requirements

Class Age
17–26 27–39 40–45 46+
Maximum 300
1st 225 200 175 150
2nd 175 150 125 100
3rd (minimum) 135 110 88 65
Minimum requirements for each event
Age Pull-Ups Flexed Arm Hang Crunches 3-Mile Run
Male Female
17–26 3 15 seconds 50 28:00 31:00
27–39 3 15 seconds 45 29:00 32:00
40–45 3 15 seconds 45 30:00 33:00
46+ 3 15 seconds 40 33:00 36:00

Each event has minimum requirements adjusted by sex and age, but merely completing the minimum in each event is not sufficient for passing the test: one must also achieve a total score of at least 3rd class.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "CHANGES TO THE MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM". 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  2. 1 2 "MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM" (PDF). 2009-08-10. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  3. ↑ "CHANGE TO THE PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST". 2012-11-27. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  4. 1 2 http://dailycaller.com/2016/04/19/marine-corps-plan-says-women-wont-have-to-do-any-pullups/
  5. ↑ http://www.military.com/military-fitness/marine-corps-fitness-requirements/usmc-pullups-and-women
  6. ↑ http://www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/how-to-prepare/pft
  7. 1 2 3 4 http://www.military.com/military-fitness/marine-corps-fitness-requirements/usmc-pft-charts

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

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