4th Marines, Lester students conduct CFT

Photo By Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr | Master Gunnery Sgt. John Elliott, center, operations chief for 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, gives instruction on proper technique for the ammo can lift portion of a modified combat fitness test here May 19. The advanced physical education students of Lester Middle School completed the test under the guidance of Marines with 4th Marine Regiment.  

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.19.2011

Story by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LESTER, Japana - Camp Schwab-based Marines helped a group of Lester Middle School students test their fitness Marine-style here May 19.

The students, part of an advanced physical education class, learned the finer points of running a modified combat fitness test administered by Marines with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The CFT seems to be the Marine Corps’ new way to challenge Marines, so it made sense to do it, said Michael Carrell, physical education teacher at Lester Middle School.

The CFT is an annual test intended to gauge the combat fitness of Marines. The test is divided into three sections: movement to contact, ammunition can lift and maneuver under fire.

The test was also a good way to test the fitness of this advanced group of students, said Carrell.

“I’m trying to find ways to challenge them,” he added.

The students work out on a regular basis – using weights and cardio conditioning – but they need to put it into practice so they can see just how much their hard work can pay off, Carrell said.

“It’s physically demanding. We got pretty tired,” said Ian Mastriano, a student in the class. “The half-mile and the ammo can press really drain you.”

Even though it was demanding, it was still fun, said Mastriano.

All the students completed the 880-meter movement to contact run, ammo can lift and the 300-yard shuttle run of the maneuver under fire. The only difference in the test was that students used 20-pound dumbbells vice the 30-pound ammunition cans used by Marines.

Students were scored using the same scoring method as Marines, and of the 32 students who participated in the test, seven attained a perfect score of 300.

“We challenged them, and they were willing to accept that challenge,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. John Elliott, the operations chief for 4th Marine Regiment. “With a little bit of motivation, they pushed themselves through it.”

As an extra bonus, those students with Marine parents should be able to relate to what their parents do just a little more, added Elliott.

• Date Taken: 05.19.2011
• Date Posted: 05.25.2011 01:31
• Story ID: 71013
• Location: CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, JP