I play hours of Hockey and Raquetball every week but find it very difficult to complete the run, does this mean that I am not physically fit? I, too believe there are other ways to test our ability other than running. I hope that comes out in the changes.

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I, too believe there are other ways to test our ability other than running. I hope that comes out in the changes.

There is it is the swim in lieu of running. Your choice.

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Why is there a run in the PT test?

Because it is a good indication of your cardivascular condition.

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Where would anyone have to run anyways? We don't run down the street chasing bad guys like cops. We are on a boats, there is nowhere for a bad guy to run anyhow.

It is not about chasing the bad guys necessarily, it is about climbing up a jacobs ladder 40ft, then climbing up to the bridge of say a 1000 foot frieghter, then the "sheet" hits the fan, and if you are exhausted from just getting there, you are WAY BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL.

As an AST, you should have an idea about this, I will give you an example. Say you could not complete your swim in the required time and the next day you got the call, 50 foot seas with people in the water, and yet you were were "passed" on your swim, how hard would the swim in 50 footers be compared to if you were in better physical condition?

Try fighting for your life for 5 minutes with a gun belt and vest on and tell me how exhausted you will be. This is why there are standards in the CG for anyone doing LE. Ask any LE person who had to do this, and I bet you a they would say "it seemed like an hour or forever". Just food for thought.


GUNS

I know that Dog units are starting to use the new standards. There are 3 tiers and Tier 1 doesn't matter if you are a male or female young or old. Although I think the message said it doesn't take full effect till April 2009. But don't quote me. Also it states that in the run you must run the whole time, so no walking the only authorized stop is to tie your shoe. So they are getting a little more stringent.
I also think not sure here but the PT test was an annual requirement for all active duty. Either was dust off the running shoes and get ready if you plan on going to a DOG unit.

I am not saying we don't need a test about cardio. Just why a run? I get shin splints when I run and maybe could not meet the run time. I can do the versa climber for 30 minutes or more, eliptical machine for hours, swim for however long. But why the run?
Is it the only way to have a standard?

I know my job is swimming, so I must have a swim test. We don't "run" anywhere, so why a "run" test?

That is all I am saying