Final CFT shows Company L's combat readiness

Photo By Cpl. Crystal Druery | Company L recruit performs three push-ups during the Maneuver Under Fire portion of the Combat Fitness Test April 12 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Maneuver Under Fire is one test of three that make up the CFT. After throwing the simulated gernade the recruits have to do three push-ups and then run back with ammunition cans to the starting point.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

04.12.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

SAN DIEGO - Nearing the end of recruit training, Company L pushed through the Combat Fitness Test April 12 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

The CFT is made up of three fast-paced tests, which are meant to simulate movements in combat. First recruits complete the Movement-to-Contact, which is an 880-meter timed run. Then they perform two minutes of ammunition can lifts followed by the Maneuver Under Fire, which consist of various combat carries, crawls and obstacles which are timed.

For the past nine weeks recruits of Company L have trained hard for this test. Drill instructors pushed every last recruit to his physical limits to properly prepare them for the final test at the end of training.

Two weeks prior Company L recruits did an initial CFT. This helped drill instructors gauge their recruits’ fitness levels and helped the recruits improve the events they struggled with.
"We had the recruits do ammo can lifts, sprints and practice the firemen's carry regularly to make sure they were ready for today," said Staff Sgt. Juan Aguilera, drill instructor, Platoon 3249, Co. L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.

During the Maneuver Under Fire recruits low crawl, high crawl and sprint cutting left and right around cones to get to their fellow recruit, a simulated casualty. Next, they buddy drag the casualty and fireman’s carry him back to the starting point.

“The hardest part for recruits and Marines is usually the buddy drag,” said Sgt. Will Johns, martial arts instructor, Martial Arts Satellite School, Recruit Training Regiment. “It’s a lot of dead weight to carry, making it one of the hardest.”

For the last part of the Maneuver Under Fire, recruits had to pick up ammunition cans, run with them to the end of the course, throw a simulated grenade, do three push-ups and then run back with the ammunition cans. If the grenade landed in a designated area, the recruit would get five seconds deducted from their overall Maneuver Under Fire time. If it didn’t they get five seconds added.

“The Maneuver Under Fire was the hardest part for me,” said Recruit Steven Harrison, Plt. 3255, Company L, 3rd RTBn. “It just has so many different exercises you have to do as quick as possible, it really tires you out.”

Each recruit receives a score based on their times and the amount of ammunition can lifts performed.

"This is the score that will follow them into their Marine Corps career," said Aguilera, "We want to make sure they are at their top physical shape going into the fleet."

CFT training is one of the most vital parts of recruit training since the United States is at currently at war. It is important recruits have an understanding of what they might experience when in a combat situation, said Johns.

"This is just a taste of what they should expect," said Johns. "By time they're done with the CFT they're tired and get an idea how it feels to be combat-fatigued. This is what Marines are doing in combat."

During week 10 recruits will take their Physical Fitness Test. These two semi-annual test show different types of strength. While some Marines might be faster runners excelling on the PFT, that requires a timed three miles. Slower runner might excel on the CFT since it is a shorter distance to run in boots and utilities, Johns explains.

Once they become Marines, the CFT and PFT are semi-annual requirements. These test scores will help them advance in the Marine Corps.

In one week, Company L will be going to the Crucible to complete their final physical and mental test during recruit training. The Crucible is a 54-hour evaluation where recruits are given minimal food and sleep and must complete several obstacles using teamwork. This is be their final test prior to earning the title “Marine."

• Date Taken: 04.12.2012
• Date Posted: 04.19.2012 17:30
• Story ID: 87000
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US