SAN DIEGO -- Physical fitness is a big part of the Marine Corps. It is so important that a Marine’s physical ability is measured each year through a fitness test which results in a score that is applied toward their promotion. During recruit training, a vast amount of time is spent preparing recruits for not only the fitness test, but the Marine Corps way of life.
Recruits of Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, conducted various physical training events aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego March 25 to help achieve a high level of fitness.
The purpose of the PT session was to prepare recruits for their upcoming final Physical Fitness Test.
For recruits, the score they receive on their final PFT will be the first that goes on their permanent record. Therefore, all preparation and training leading up to it is crucial.
“This final PFT is really important to me and holds a lot of weight toward my future promotions,” said Recruit Craig M. Reece, Platoon 3242, Co. L, 3rd RTBn. “I have been preparing for this through healthy eating, carbohydrate loading, and doing extra pull-ups whenever I can.”
There were four events recruits conducted during their PT session. After completing their warm-up exercises, recruits made their way over to the pull-up bars to complete two maximum sets of pull-ups. Following the pull-ups, recruits completed a maximum set of push-ups, and then did as many crunches as they could in two minutes. The last event consisted of four half-mile sprints.
“This PT event is designed to help condition the recruits’ bodies for the PFT coming up,” said Staff Sgt. Ray J. Rozane, drill instructor, Plt. 3241, Co. L, 3rd RTBn. “In the third phase of recruit training we don’t have as many PT events, so this is really important for the recruits.”
The training offered recruits similar challenges to those they would face in the final PFT.
“Maintaining the endurance on the sprints was probably the toughest part,” said Reece, who played football for Indiana State University as a running back. “I’m used to doing short dash sprints so it is really an adjustment for me.”
The constant physical training and high Marine Corps standards keeps Marines ready to answer the call of duty at a moment’s notice. Being ready for any challenge is a necessity in this line of work.
“Physical fitness is imperative for Marines,” said Rozane. “It keeps them in shape and helps them be combat ready.”