Marines from Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 53 hosted a mock run-through of the new
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test (CFT), May 2. Approximately 100 Marines from MATSG-53, Fleet Readiness
Center Northwest (FRC NW), Center for Naval Aviation Tactical Training Unit (CNATTU) and Electronic Attack
Squadron (VAQ) 129 participated in the trial run of the event, which is aimed at providing a more realistic
simulation of the physical rigors of combat situations.
“It’s a pretty interesting course, a little bit harder than most of us thought it was going to be after just reading
about it, but it’s definitely a work out,” said Col. William Flannery, MATSG-53 commanding officer. “The big thing
the commandant wants is to have us get a test that’s more like what the Marines are actually finding over there
in Iraq. There isn’t much to the PFT (Physical Fitness Test), it’s pretty straight-forward, where this takes really
your whole body into account with upper body strength, cardiovascular and leg strength to get through all the
different components.”
There are presently three legs to the CFT to include an 880-yard run, 30 pound ammo can lift for two minutes
and, finally, a succession of four 100-yard maneuvering drills of sprints, dragging and carrying a casualty, sprints
while carrying two ammo cans and a simulated grenade throw. Due to the trial nature of the event, the MATSG-53
Marines shortened the run to 440 yards and the ammo can lift to one minute.
Upon completion, participants realized they are going to have to make some changes to their physical fitness regimen
in the foreseeable future.
“It’s much harder than I thought it was going to be,” said Master Sgt. William Turkowski, of CNATTU. “I’ve never been
this spent on a PFT, it’s a lot packed into a short amount of time You’ve got to pace yourself and practicing this would
probably be the best thing combining all these things.”
In the spirit of competition, the Marines had four individuals do the event Ironman-style, going through the complete
course with no breaks. The competitors were 1st Lt. Christopher Trusk of VAQ-129, who finished with a time of 3:22;
Sgt. William Payne of FRC NW and Lance Cpl. Matt Krone, of CNATTU, who both finished at 4:17; and Turkowski who
finished at 4:34.
The final plans for implementing the CFT are still in the works. Scheduling in coordination with the PFT and scoring
on a point or pass/fail basis are uncertain.
“I think this is a great direction for the Marine Corps, even though the Marines today have seen that this is a little bit
harder said Flannery.  “I think this is why they signed up, to do things that are a little bit tougher, a little bit out of the
ordinary, different than the other services. I think it’s a good move and it’ll be good once it’s incorporated.”