Warren to Marine

This week will probably have the most posts just due to the amount of information available on every step this week.  This is the week when it all comes together as they take all of the "finals" needed in order to graduate. 


T60 Today is the FINAL PFT and the WRITTEN EXAM, both requirements to graduate.
The minimum passing standards which will be enforced on the final PFT are listed below.

Male Recruits:
3 Pull ups
50 Crunches in two minutes
3.0 mile run in 28:00 or less

Female Recruits:
15 second Flexed-arm Hang.
50 Crunches in two minutes
3.0 miles run in 31:00 or less
 
They will also begin the Pre-Crucible medical exams and will be evaluated by the DIs and the “Docs”.

I don't see any issue with the PFT or the Written Exam.  Warren's Mom can run 3 miles in 28 minutes, so if he can't after all of the physical training he is in trouble.  The pullups and crunches should be no problem either.  They do get certificates for high scores (285+) in the PFT so they all push to go well beyond the minimum score, which is what we indicated to Warren in the support letters he should've received within the last week.  "Push yourself to a personal best" is the message we sent.  They do get some time to recoup so they can push it and expect to be sore but as we know "Pain is weakness leaving the body".  Here is the chart for points (300 is perfect score).

Marine Corps PFTs are scored the following way for males:

• Pull-ups: Each complete pull-up is worth 5 points up to a maximum of 100 points (20 pull-ups). Additional pull-ups beyond 20 are not counted and do not add to the score.
• Crunches: Each completed crunch is worth 1 point up to a maximum of 100 points. Any crunches completed after the two-minute time limit are not counted and do not add to the score.
• Three mile run: A perfect score of 100 points is achieved by completing the run in less than 18 minutes. One point is deducted from the score for each additional ten seconds that it takes to complete the run. Completing the run in less than 18 minutes does not add to the score.

Marine Corps PFTs are scored the following way for females:

• Flex-arm hang: The maximum score of 100 points is achieved when the recruit maintains the flex-arm hang for 70 seconds. The clock is stopped when the recruit drops off the bar or the arms become fully extended. The chin at no time is allowed to touch the bar. The score is calculated by subtracting the actual hang time in seconds from the maximum hang time (70 seconds) and deducting two points for each second of difference. It is important to note, however, that the flex-arm hang will no longer be a part of the Marine Corps PFT as of January 1, 2014 (see ALMAR 046/12).
• Crunches: Each completed crunch is worth 1 point up to a maximum of 100 points. Any crunches completed after the two-minute time limit are not counted and do not add to the score. (Note: This is the only event that is scored identically to the male event.)
• Three mile run: A perfect score of 100 points is achieved by completing the run in less than 21 minutes. One point is deducted from the score for each additional ten seconds that it takes to complete the run. Completing the run in less than 21 minutes does not add to the score.

Minimum Fitness Requirments for Each PFT Event - Males
Age	Pull-Ups	Crunches	3-Mile Run
17-26	3	50	28:00
27-39	3	45	29:00
40-45	3	45	30:00
46+	3	40	33:00

Marine Corps PFT Classification Scores - Male and Female
Class	Age 17-26	Age 27-39	Age 40-45	Age 46+
1st	225	200	175	150
2nd	175	150	125	100
3rd	135	110	88	65

What does it really matter in the "real world" what they score on the PFT (meaning why don't they just get the minimum qualification for each rather than pushing hard)?  There are probably several answers with #1 being, they are recruits that have chosen the Marines so why would they settle (there is a pride factor here) and this score does play a factor in promotions (believe it or not), here is how is plays that role;

Physical Fitness Test Scores to Promotion Point Conversion Chart
Male/Female Ages 17-26		Male/Female Ages 27 and above
PT Score	Promotion Points	PT Score	Promotion Points
280-300	5.0	280-300	5.0
270-279	4.9	270-279	4.9
260-269	4.8	260-269	4.8
250-259	4.7	250-259	4.7
240-249	4.6	240-249	4.6
225-239	4.5	225-239	4.5
215-224	4.4	215-224	4.4
205-214	4.3	205-214	4.3
195-204	4.2	200-204	4.2
185-194	4.1	195-199	4.1
175-184	4.0	185-194	4.0
170-174	3.9	175-184	3.9
160-169	3.8	170-174	3.8
150-159	3.7	160-169	3.7
140-149	3.6	150-159	3.6
135-139	3.5	140-149	3.5
0-134	0	135-139	3.4
		110-134	3.0
		0-109	0

As far as the written test, it includes:

• Core values and ethics
• First Aid
• Military History
• Customs and Courtesies
• Marine Corps Uniforms
• Leadership
• Marine Corps Policy and Organization
• BWT (Basic Warrior Training) subjects like land navigation and hand and arm signals
• Marksmanship

I would imagine that this information has been drilled into their psyches by now so I don't expect this to be new.  Some "kids" have more trouble with taking tests but I still think that this should be relatively easy for them all to get beyond.

Keep the recruits in mind when walking around in AC comfort as the recruits battle not only the physical & mental challenges but also the heat & humidity at Parris Island.  We ask you to say a quick prayer for their safety as they look to take that final step towards the EGA.