PHYSICAL READINESS TEST STANDARDS

The following standards have been established for those personnel wishing to participate with the World War II Detachment as "living history" interpreters. Although the USMCHC does not restrict anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or physical appearance and ability from joining us in telling the Marine Corps story, for those wishing to be involved as "living history" interpreters emulating Marines of WWII certain requirements must be met. This is done not only to preserve historical accuracy, but as a safety measure as well. As stated in section X (ten) of the WWII Detachment's Operations Manual "As 'living history' interpreters, attempting to portray these Marines, we will be involved in similar activities that can be physically demanding to our members." These activities range from "period" physical fitness, and hand to hand combat training, digging and preparing fighting positions by hand, and extensive field marches with packs, to full amphibious assault operations which include net transfers to LCT's. These activities often take place in extreme weather conditions of heat, cold, and rain. For those participating as "combat" Marines meeting the following physical fitness standards is necessary and required to insure the safety of all involved.

These standards were developed, and are administered by professional fitness instructors, and are based in part on the Marine Corp's former Combat readiness Test, the U.S. Forestry Service's tests, and a cross section of other testing procedures from both government and military agencies.

If you have any physical or health problem or condition that may be aggravated by these tests you first need to review the test with your doctor and get written approval from him to participate.

UPPER BODY STRENGTH

Pull-ups: The necessity to be able to lift your own body weight (and often the weight of your equipment as well) is of paramount importance.

Test: Each member must complete 3 (three) palms away pull-ups. each man will start hanging from a horizontal bar with arms fully extended, palms facing away, and feet clear of the ground. He will then lift himself up until his chin clears the bar, and then lower himself back to the start position. This will be completed at least three times. This exercise will be conducted without pack, rifle, or helmet.

OR:

Rope climb: This exercise tests both upper body strength and agility. This will be Used as an alternative test for pull-ups.

Test: Each member, using both arms and legs, will ascend a rope 20 (twenty) feet in length, and approximately 3/4 in. dia. Upon reaching the top the participant will touch the support bar for the rope and descend back to the ground. Each member will have 30 seconds to complete this exercise.

Push-ups: This exercise tests both upper body strength and endurance.

Test: Each member will start in the "up" position, arms and back straight. At the order to begin the participant will lower himself down, keeping his back straight, until his chest is within 4 inches of the ground (this can be monitored by having a second person place their fist on the ground directly under the participant chest) and push themselves back up to the start position. There is no time limit to this exercise, but the participant may only rest in the up position. A minimum of 25 repetitions must be completed to qualify.

ABDOMINAL STRENGTH

Sit-ups: This exercise tests abdominal strength, and indirectly the abs ability to support the lower back.

Test: Each member will start with laying on his back, knees bent, and arms crossed across his chest. A second person will support his feet by kneeling in front of him and placing their hands on the participants instep and pressing down as necessary. At the order to begin the participant will sit up, bending at the waist, until his forearms touch his legs, then back down until his shoulder blades touch the ground. The members arms must stay in contact with the chest at all times. Each member will have 2 (two) minutes to complete as many repetitions as he can. A minimum of 3 5 reps. is necessary to qualify.

BALANCE

Beam walk: This test is used to monitor balance and equilibrium.

Test: Each member, wearing pack, equipment, and helmet, and carrying their rifle at a port arms position will walk a beam 20 feet long by 4 inches wide. The participant will start at one end, walk to the other, turn around and walk back to the start point without stepping off of the beam at any time.

OVERALL STRENGTH

Casualty carry: This exercise tests overall strength by simulating the picking up and carrying of a wounded fellow Marine to safety.

Test: Each member, wearing pack, equipment, and helmet, but without rifle will pick up a sand bag weighing 100 lbs. and carry it 100 ft. without stopping. The bag may be carried either in the arms or on the shoulder.

ENDURANCE (AEROBIC CAPACITY)

Force march: This exercise tests overall endurance.

Test: Each member, equipped with light marching pack, basic equipment, helmet and M-1 rifle will complete a distance of 5 (five) miles over a marked course in I hour and 15 minutes or less.

OR:

Run: This will be used as an alternative to the march.

Test: Each member, wearing athletic clothing, on a flat marked course, will complete I and 1/2 miles within 12 minutes or less.

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