Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- With only a few weeks left before earning the title Marine, recruits from Company F, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, pushed themselves to their limits during their final Physical Fitness Test, Oct. 10.
It is important for recruits to score as high as possible on their final PFT because this score follows them into the Fleet Marine Force, and helps them get promoted.
“They have to push themselves because this is the beginning of their career,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Geidel, drill instructor, Platoon 2121.
Recruits start preparing for this PFT from day one of recruit training. For a perfect score, male recruits strive for 20 pull ups, 100 crunches in 2 minutes and a 3-mile run in 18 minutes.
“The training schedule pushes and tests them mentally and physically, making sure they get stronger each day,” said the Loveland, Colo. native.
When arriving to the depot, before recruits can start training with a company they must first pass an Initial Strength Test. This test is the same as a PFT except the run is cut in half.
“When I got here the IST was harder than I thought it would be,” said Recruit Eric Ramirez, guide, Plt. 2123. “It was much more competitive than I realized it would be.”
The purpose of the IST is to determine where each recruit is at physically and to ensure they meet the physical requirements to start training.
Their first PFT is held during week four and they also take an inventory PFT during week nine, a week prior to their final one. These allow the drill instructors and recruits a chance to see where each recruit is and what they can improve on before their recorded PFT. It also lets them see how much they have improved since they arrived.
“I feel pretty confident going into this,” said Ramirez, a Houston, Texas native. “I’m trying to set the example for my fellow recruits and lead from the front. But it’s still a competition.”
Ramirez said he has improved in each part of the PFT, especially his pull ups. Each recruit is provided square-away time most nights, where they can choose to work on their weaknesses.
For Recruit Alex Comte, Plt. 2123, his run time improved the most for him.
“I have almost a perfect PFT now,” said Comte, a Houston, Texas native. “The drill instructors are the reason I push myself. I see how much work they put into themselves and the team, it makes me want to do the same.”
As Co. F continues to get more mentally and physically fit, they are getting closer for the next test, the Crucible. This is a 54-hour food and sleep deprived field exercise with over 30 obstacles. Upon completion of this event recruits are given their Eagle, Globe and Anchor and considered Marines. The following week, Co. F will walk across the parade deck of the depot and graduate from the 12 week long recruit training.