MCRD San Diego -- Marines are tested semi-annually on their physical fitness and are graded based on their performance. One of the tests is known as the Physical Fitness Test which consists of a 3-mile run, a maximum set of crunches in a time limit of two-minutes and a maximum set of pull-ups.
Every Marine must be physically fit, regardless of age, grade, or duty assignment. Fitness is essential to the day-to-day effectiveness and combat readiness of the Marine Corps. This is an important reason why recruits are being tested on their mental and physical fitness during their final PFT while at recruit training.
Recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, completed their final PFT in recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Aug. 23. The final PFT is one of two PFT test recruits have to complete during training.
Co. E Recruits completed their initial PFT during first phase of training and have since improved their overall fitness, according to Sgt. Jonathan Montalvo, drill instructor, Platoon 2105, Co. E.
“The initial PFT helps us see where they’re at and lets their drill instructors know who is going to need the extra help improving their physical fitness,” said Montalvo, a Huntsville, Alabama native. “The final PFT helps us see who has improved.”
Failure to pass the final PFT would prevent a recruit from moving forward with training, however, the company did not seem to have that issue.
“Our platoon has a decent fitness level across the board,” said Pvt. David J. Dubose, Plt. 2107, Co. E. “Starting out, we had a lot of work that needed to be done, but we’ve improved a lot since.”
Many recruits in different platoons agreed that their overall performance has significantly improved, according to Pvt. Chase A. James, Plt. 2105.
“It’s one of the main components to your level of fitness,” said James, a St. Louis, Mo native. “It’s somewhat of a meter to ensure you’re physically fit.”
The self-discipline required to gain and maintain a high level of physical fitness are inherent to the Marine Corps way of life and must be a part of the character of every Marine.
During recruit training, the recruits determine how much effort they put out for them to improve physically, and staying physically fit is just as important as every other component to being a Marine, according to Dubose.
“It’s important to have a decent fitness level and to be competitive,” said Dubose. “If not, they’re just going to end up waiting for things to come to them and the Marine Corps doesn’t work that way.”