Training and Education Command

 

Training and Education Command

United States Marine Corps

Quantico, VA
Co. F recruits test endurance, agility, strength in CFT

By Lance Cpl. Katalynn Thomas | | September 16, 2010

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO --  Recruits from Company F, dressed in their woodland camouflage utilities, waited anxiously on the morning of Aug. 26 to be tested once more before they earned the title Marine. This time, it is their combat fitness that is being tested.

The Combat Fitness Test is an annual test that complements the Physical Fitness Test.

“We do this so the recruits can get familiar with the training,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Zunino, drill instructor, platoon 2125, Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. “This way once they hit the fleet it’s not a foreign process.”

The CFT consists of three stages: an 880 meter movement to contact sprint, ammunition can lifts, and a maneuver under fire drill. For the first two stages of the CFT, the recruits wear their trousers and boots; for the final stage, they put on their blouses to run the maneuver under fire drill.

During the movement to contact, the recruits’ goal is to run 880 yards in the fastest time possible.

When they finish the sprint, they get 5 minutes before they file off behind ammunition cans to begin the next stage of the CFT, the ammo can lifts.

The recruits are given two minutes to lift a 30-pound ammunition can over their heads as many times as possible. The minimum amount of lifts a recruit can accomplish before they fail is 45, while the number for a perfect score is 91.

Once the recruits have finished the ammunition can lifts, they form columns of twos in marked-off lanes to begin the final stage of the CFT, the maneuver under fire.

“The maneuver under fire consists of a sprint, low and high crawls, a zigzagging sprint, which is a pattern made up of small corners at variable angles, buddy drag, fireman’s carry, ammo can run, grenade throw and running the ammo cans again,” explained Staff Sgt. Welner Diazhernandez, drill instructor, platoon 2127, Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion.

The combat fitness test was implemented in mid-2008 as a combat-oriented version and supplement to the physical fitness test, said Zunino.

“The course was very good,” said Recruit Nathan Hernandez, platoon 2127. “I like it because it shows me where I stand with my strengths."

At the end of the CFT, Company F recruits, although sweaty and tired, can continue through their stay here at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego knowing that their combat fitness is up to par with Marine Corps standards.