Community Conversation => Military Veterans Confab => Topic started by: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 09:56:57 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Were military physical fitness activities & physical ability tests challenging?
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 09:56:57 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 09:56:57 PM
Were military physical fitness activities and physical ability tests challenging?
Title: Re: Were military physical fitness activities & physical ability tests challenging?
Post by: Northern Star Girl on March 30, 2025, 11:51:28 PM
Post by: Northern Star Girl on March 30, 2025, 11:51:28 PM
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 09:56:57 PMWere military physical fitness activities and physical ability tests challenging?
@ChrissyRyan
Dear Chrissy:
Yes indeed, very challenging... especially raw recruits in boot camp were definitely
challenged to push beyond themselves, not just physically, but also mentally.
If a soldier successfully made it through boot camp they were then a better man or woman
and could then be a successful contributing member of their team.
You will find it difficult to find a "post boot camp soldier" that complains about the
fitness training that has made them a better person and a better soldier.
HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
USAF Veteran
Title: Re: Were military physical fitness activities & physical ability tests challenging?
Post by: Lori Dee on March 31, 2025, 01:54:29 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on March 31, 2025, 01:54:29 PM
So true.
By pushing your limits physically, you learn what you are truly capable of. That trains you to not give up when faced with a very tough situation. You learned to rely on your training and the expertise of your leaders.
By pushing your limits physically, you learn what you are truly capable of. That trains you to not give up when faced with a very tough situation. You learned to rely on your training and the expertise of your leaders.
Title: Re: Were military physical fitness activities & physical ability tests challenging?
Post by: April Marie on March 31, 2025, 03:58:14 PM
Post by: April Marie on March 31, 2025, 03:58:14 PM
I absolutely hated the old 5 event PT test with the Inverted Crawl and the Horizontal Bars - otherwise known as the Perverted Crawl and The Horizontal Hand Destroyer. That test was just weird and hard for me. I did really enjoy morning formation runs. With a strong cadence caller it felt like we could run forever.
Title: Re: Were military physical fitness activities & physical ability tests challenging?
Post by: Dances With Trees on April 01, 2025, 03:06:07 PM
Post by: Dances With Trees on April 01, 2025, 03:06:07 PM
At 17, the physically challenges were daunting but not overwhelming. At 17, the emotional and social challenges were so overwhelming I used one of the few recourses available: Chaplain's Mast. My DI was not happy and the CO offered to transfer me into the Navy where I could train as a corpsman (Marine Corps version of a medic). One of my greatest regrets is not accepting their offer but it would have required extending my enlistment. I adapted. Near the end of boot camp, my favorite (if there is such a thing) drill instructor said he was not only amazed I didn't washout, but that I had somehow managed to become a 'darn tight turd.' High praise indeed.