It is now official, General Conway has signed and published the order to implement the Combat Fitness Test (CFT) as announced in ALMAR 032/08.  For most of you out there this does not come as a surprise as it has been the talk of the Corps for the past few months.

The Combat Fitness Test will compliment the current Physical Fitness Test(PFT) and will test anaerobic energy needs.  The test will be comprised of three parts:

  1. A 880yd(1/2 Mi) Movement to Contact (MTC) run in boots and utes
  2. Ammunition Lift (AL) lifting of a 30 LB ammo can from chest to above head for repetitions
  3. 300yd Maneuver Under Fire Course (MANUF), Perform a series of combat related tasks for time while wearing boots and utes, that include a combat crawl, ammunition resupply, body drag, casualty carry and a grenade throw

The CFT will be implemented 1 Oct 2008 and like the PFT will be a semi annual event.  The CFT will be a pass/fail event during the first year.  On Oct 1st the CFT will transform into a scored event with a maximum of 300 pts and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, class just like the PFT has now.

During the phase in period (1st year) the CFT will not count towards composite scores but will be reported in the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS).  What the means is the HQMC will be keeping tabs on the progress of the CFT.

The following are the scoring charts for the pass/fail effective from 1 Oct 2008 through 30 Sept 2009:

  • MALE
    (1) AGE 17-26:  MTC (3:48), AL (45), MANUF (3:29)
    (2) AGE 27-39:  MTC (4:00), AL (45), MANUF (3:55)
    (3) AGE 40-45:  MTC (4:19), AL (44), MANUF (3:57)
    (4) AGE 46+:  MTC (4:30), AL (43), MANUF (4:28)
    FEMALE
    (1) AGE 17-26:  MTC (4:34), AL (20), MANUF (4:57)
    (2) AGE 27-39:  MTC (4:40), AL (21), MANUF (5:27)
    (3) AGE 40-45:  MTC (5:09), AL (17), MANUF (6:07)
    (4) AGE 46+:  MTC (5:20), AL (15), MANUF (6:30)

Effective 1 Oct 2009, the following scores will be required to max out each event and score 100 pts in each event:

  • MALE
    (1) AGE 17-26:  MTC (2:45), AL (91), MANUF (2:14)
    (2) AGE 27-39:  MTC (2:51), AL (97), MANUF (2:14)
    (3) AGE 40-45:  MTC (3:03), AL (87), MANUF (2:34)
    (4) AGE 46+:  MTC (3:05), AL (86), MANUF (3:05)
    FEMALE
    (1) AGE 17-26:  MTC (3:23), AL (60), MANUF (3:01)
    (2) AGE 27-39:  MTC (3:19), AL (53), MANUF (3:05)
    (3) AGE 40-45:  MTC (3:49), AL (45), MANUF (3:40)
    (4) AGE 46+:  MTC (4:12), AL (38), MANUF (4:20)

An instruction video as well as training tips can be found at WWW.TECOM.USMC.MIL

The Combat Fitness test will test a Marine’s anaerobic endurance and should compliment the PFT very well in keeping the Marine Corps in good physical shape.  Speaking with Marines that have tested the CFT they say it is a challenging, but fair assessment.  Most Marines will need to change their workout and running habits ans most of us train to the PFT and not for functional movement.