PFT good for you, good for me

Photo By Lt. Col. Joshua Diddams | Marines with the 11th marine Expeditionary Unit start the three-mile run portion of the physical fitness test here, March 22. During the PFT, a Marine's goal is to earn as many points in the three designated exercises, pull-ups, crunches and a three-mile run as possible. Although Marines may have different motivations to do well on the PFT, the significance of a PFT can't be denied.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

03.22.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan 

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Pull-ups, crunches and a three-mile run: To the unknowing mind, these exercises are three basic ways to improve fitness. In the Marine Corps, these three exercises make up the physical fitness test and it becomes one of the pivotal things that determine a Marine's path in their career.

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit has made it a priority to maintain readiness while, slowly but surely, transitioning to an active state of mind. From Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, obstacle courses and swimming qualifications, the MEU has prepared Marines to succeed in the annual physical requirements like the PFT. On March 22, Marines with the 11th MEU participated in a PFT here.

Marines often have different motivations for wanting to earn the highest score possible. Marines like Lance Cpl. Joseph Lowe, a small arms repair technician, are looking to use this PFT to move up in the ranks.

"I know for me this PFT is the difference between me getting promoted and me not getting promoted," said Lowe, a Harrisburg, Pa., native. "Sometimes when I'm running a PFT I use competition as a motivator. Even if it's not for score, I still want to stand out as a Marine.

During the PFT, a Marine's goal is to earn as many points in the three designated exercises as possible. Although the standard to pass the PFT may seem painless, Marines strive to achieve the maximum score. A PFT score is one of the few things that separates one Marine from another.

The importance of the PFT can't be denied. For something as important as a PFT, proper planning is essential for Marines to do well. Lance Cpl. Alexander Eckley, a supply clerk with the 11th MEU, has his own way of preparing for the PFT.

"The two main things I do is hydrate properly and eat a lot of carbs," said Eckley, a Bakersfield, Calif., native. "A common thing that people do wrong is train as hard as they can and wear their body out. For a PFT you have to kind of find that balance between training hard and training light so that you're gaining something, but at the same time your body can heal."

Future PFTs will be ran until the end of PFT season. After the PFT, Marines returned to the plan of the day.

• Date Taken: 03.22.2013
• Date Posted: 03.22.2013 16:10
• Story ID: 103970
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
• Hometown: BAKERSFIELD, CA, US
• Hometown: HARRISBURG, PA, US