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Military.com Forums Hot Topics & Current Events Point-Counterpoint Realistic PT For Combat|
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Experienced Member |
Realistic PT For Combat
July 1, 2008: The U.S. Army is changing its physical training (PT) to more closely reflect the needs of combat. Instead of long distance running, sit-ups and push-ups, the new training emphasizes sprinting, agility and the kind of strength needed to carry weapons and equipment in combat. The new training also uses a twelve month physical training cycle that peaks when troops are deploying to a combat zone, or, in peacetime, doing a year or more of "ready for deployment" status. The more advanced stages of the new physical training has troops doing the drills in full combat equipment. That won't be a problem, because the exercises they will be doing are the same kinds of moves they will make in combat. All this is not a new idea. It first showed up over sixty years ago, during World War II, when army surveys of troops showed that combat veterans wish their training had emphasized more physical training, and more realistic physical training. The brass didn't get it back then, and after several more attempts, the combat troops have finally gotten physical training that prepares them for combat. The new physical training manual is being boiled down from 645 pages to a hundred pages, and will be distributed by mid-2009. http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20080701.aspx I always said the distance run was doing more damage than good. Glad to see they are tring to be more realistic. |
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If a tree falls in a forest and lands on a politician, even if you can't hear the tree or the screams, I'll bet you'd at least hear the applause. Paul Tindale  |
Yea, nothing new! The Army was going to have specific strength and stamina tests for each MOS to reflect that MOS's specific requirements in the mid 70s For artillery, hauling a shell around and setting the gun, things like that. Instead we got rid of the inverted crawl, run dodge and stumble, and my favorite, the monkey bars. Oh, ya, those really indicated if you were combat ready!
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Member |
This should have been done years ago.
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Highly Experienced Member |
Them wimmins better beef up.
You know that look a woman gets when she wants sex? Neither do I. |
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Member |
Since us wimmins can't be in the infantry, why should we bother?  |
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DEAD MEAT - Love, Fate |
actually the Distance run came about from Korea, as much of our PT program did. The 2 mile run was for escape and evade, 2 miles was considered appropriate and expected distance when cut off and alone behind enemy lines. I do agree that the PT program needs to be updated, I have seen too many that train to the test rather than for overall fitness. When I was at a school at Ft Gordon, I had to go to the gym after hours so that when I returned home I would still be able to do my job as a loader at UPS. Forget the dog, Beware of Owner |
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Experienced Member |
During my career it was my observation that the number one cause of injury was due to running. The Army’s P.T. program is so outdated and long overdue for a total overhaul. Hopefully this new program will be more realistic and effective.
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Experienced Member |
Yeah, I can't wait to see what the "talking heads" come up with as a test of readiness for a military.
How will they test alertness for a 24 hour duty? How will they test for the ability to stay reasonably 'calm' when under attack/shelling? How do they test for reasoning, while someone is in an area where things don't arrive when expected or when people expect for you to anti****te their requests? The APFT is in dire need of change, but what will it morph into???? These are my opinions. Yours may differ. |
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Member |
I don't know... When I first joined I could barely run one mile without wanting to puke my guts out. I hardly think that could've been considered 'physically fit'.
But, since joining eight years ago, I've gone from barely being able to survive a mile, to becoming a seven-time full distance marathoner on the verge of qualifying for Boston... And I owe it all to the Army for getting my áss motivated to take those first steps. As far as running goes, 2 miles is a relatively short distance. The shortest distance in competítive road racing is the 5K - Which equates to 3.1 miles... Not to mention the fact that the Marine Corps' physical fitness test includes a 3 mile run. I think we have it good.  |
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Experienced Member |
Well, when you reach 40-45 come back and tell us how well your knees and ankles are holding up. Running in a PT formation is lethal for your joints. There are many other things one can do that are low impact with the same or even better results.
I have nothing against a distance runner etc, but the Army’s PT method of having unit runs in formations has caused a lot of injuries and has resulted in numerous lifelong medical profiles. |
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Member |
Wait... Is this about the APFT or unit PT formations?
I've really never been a huge fan of constant PT group runs either. I mean, they're fun every once in a while, but certainly not often. Running on my own, in my own "zone", at my own pace has always been preferable to me. No one knows your body better than you, and running at your own pace (or biking, spinning, etc) certainly allows you to optimize your workout time - Instead of running with a group and being 'assigned' a workout. So, I agree on one aspect... The Army should provide cardio alternatives to monotonous group runs - But I think 2 miles twice a year for the APFT is relatively reasonable. |
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Experienced Member |
The "test" for these things takes place in the field during normal unit training. I agree that the Army's PT program causes too many injuries. But distance running is one of the best ways to increase overall fitness and endurance. |
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DEAD MEAT - Love, Fate |
Well I am 40 and knees and ankles are fine Forget the dog, Beware of Owner |
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ARMY FORUMS MODERATOR |
Heh-heh, I'm 44 and 6 foot 5. I run 4 miles Mon-Fri. I bike a lot as well. No medical issues here with either activity. I highly recommend both. |
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Member |
In almost every organized road race I run, there's usually more than one guy in his 40's who completely kicks my áss by a long shot.
... and I run 6 minute miles. |
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Military.com Forums Hot Topics & Current Events Point-Counterpoint Realistic PT For Combat
