Marines test combat fitness, garner excellent scores Published Oct. 31, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The U.S. military has long held the belief that its forces should train as they fight, a belief that was put to the test as Grissom's Marines proved their combat effectiveness with top scores. Marine reservists of Detachment 1, Communication Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, conducted their annually-required combat fitness test, with more than 70 percent receiving the highest attainable score of 1st class, here Oct. 25. "Our Marines work very hard, and I'm really proud of them," said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ryan Herbert, Detachment 1 commander. "These reservists have civilian jobs and school, so it's evident that they train hard, and that is all done during their spare time." The CFT is a critical test used to prepare Marines for combat day-to day operations, said U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Warner, Detachment 1 training chief. "The CFT is a practical test closely associated with what Marines are expected to do in combat," Warner added. "The CFT makes us test the Marine's practical ability, which is more closely related to how we fight." Unlike the Marine annually-required physical fitness test, consisting of a three-mile run, pull-ups and sit-ups, the CFT uses components broken down into three sections which closely resemble scenarios Marines are likely to face in combat, said Warner. The three sections of the CFT include: movement to contact, ammunition lift and maneuver under fire. The 300-point test rates Marines as 1st class if they score between 270-300 points, 2nd class if they score between 225-269 points and 3rd class if they score between 190-224 points. "Lifting ammo cans, low crawling, throwing a grenade and casualty evacuations; the CFT is reality based," said Herbert. "It's based on what you are actually expected to do in combat situations. "During my deployment in Afghanistan we often-times found ourselves conducting the same or similar tasks," he added. "The training we did to prepare for this test was very helpful to me because we were accustomed to it." The first section, movement to contact, consists of a timed 880-yard course to test endurance followed by the second section, ammunition lift, which requires Marines to lift a 30-pound ammo-can overhead, with elbows locked out, as many times possible, explained Herbert. "Movement to contact, that one is usually one of the more challenging ones," he explained. "The ammo cans, they're not as bad, but the movement to contact is definitely big because you're sprinting 880 meters in boots, as fast as you can to get from point A to point B." The last section of the test consists of a 300-yard shuttle-run that incorporates a variety of combat-related tasks, including crawls, carries, ammunition resupply, grenade throwing and agility running, explained Warner. "The last section of the test consists of [combat related tasks] that are not done often, like throwing a grenade," said Herbert. "By the end of the test you are smoked, but this training might be the only opportunity to put these skills to the test until you go down range." CFT's provides Marines with the confidence and experience they need, added Warner. "You have to be prepared for everything, and the only way we can do that is by preparing for and passing the CFT," he added. "It really shows a high level of dedication and commitment to be combat prepared Marines." Detachment 1 is a tenant unit located at Grissom. The base is also home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
