United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test

The United States Marine Corps requires that all Marines perform a Physical Fitness Test, or PFT, every 6 months, or once every year for reservists. The PFT ensures that the Marines are keeping themselves physically fit and in a state of physical readiness. It consists of Pull-Ups, crunches and a 3-mile run for males, and flexed arm hang, crunches and a 3-mile run for females. The US Army has a PFT, the US Navy a Physical Readiness Test or PRT.

Maximums and Minimums

The minimum a male Marine must complete are 3 pull-ups, 50 crunches, and a 28 minute 3-mile run. The minimum a female Marine must complete are 15 seconds on a flexed arm hang, 44 crunches and a 30 minute 3-mile run.

To earn a perfect PFT score for males, one must do 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and complete the three mile run in 18 minutes or less. For females, a perfect score is 70 seconds on the flexed arm hang, 100 crunches, and a 21 minute three mile run. This will earn a 300 point PFT. Marines who score above a 285 receive certifications as an award for their higher than average fitness.

Scoring

Marine Corps PFTs are scored the following way for males: five points for every pull-up, one point for every crunch, and one point is deducted from 100 for every 10 seconds slower than 18 minutes. For females, about 1.5 points is given per second and one point is deducted from a hundred for every 10 seconds slower than 21 minutes on the 3-mile run. Crunches are scored the same way as males. A male or female Marine must score a total of 135 points between the three events to pass the PFT.

Form

Pull-up

The standard Marine Corps pull-up begins at the "dead-hang" or arms locked out with the body hanging motionless. A successful pull-up is performed without excess motion, having the chin rise above the bar, and lower down to the "dead-hang" position. Without these three stipulations, a pull-up will not be counted. Furthermore, changes in grip are allowed as long as the feet don't touch the ground, or the hands/arms come in contact with the pull-up bar.

Flexed Arm Hang

The Flexed hang is started with the chin above the pull-up bar. The timer is started and does not stop until the arms pass through a 90° angle measured from the elbows. The feet may not touch the ground or any part of the pull-up bar at any time.

Crunches

Crunches are executed with the feet flat on the ground, knees bent, and arms crossed across the chest or ribcage. One crunch is completed when the abdomen is lifted until the elbows or forearms touch the thighs, without leaving the abdomen, and then lowers the upper body until the shoulder blades touch the ground. The Marine is given two minutes to complete the exercise. The exercise is performed with another Marine holding the feet of the one doing the crunches.

3-Mile Run

Ideally, one is supposed to complete the entire three mile run without walking. However, this is entirely dependent upon the unit, and there are a smaller number of Marines that prefer to complete the run with a combination of sprinting and walking. This run is done on reasonably flat ground.

Starting Oct. 1, 2008, the Marine Corps will start a new test called the Combat Fitness Test (CFT). The CFT is designed to measure abilities demanded of Marines in a war zone.

Minimums and Age Adjustment - Male and Female
Age	Pull-Ups	Flexed Arm Hang	Crunches	3-Mile Run Male	3-Mile Run 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

Marine Corps PFT Classification Scores - Male and Female
Class	Age 17-26	Age 27-39	Age 40-45	Age 46+
1st	225	200	175	150
2nd	175	150	125	100
3rd	135	110	88	65

Marine Corps Order (MCO) P6100-12

See also

* United States Air Force Fitness Test

References

Notes

:Marine Corps

Bibliography

Web

External links

* [http://usmc.pftcalculator.com USMC PFT Calculator]
* [http://www.fatalfitness.com/max_out_USMC_PFT Max Out the USMC PFT] - free article on Fatal Fitness