New Army Fitness Tests

Unfortunately, American soldiers over the past decade have had plenty of opportunities to face real-life battle situations.

To best simulate the challenges faced on the battlefield, the Army recently revamped its fitness requirements. Instead of the traditional minute sit-up test, standing broad jump, and timed two-mile run, soldiers scheduled for deployment will, amongst other things, navigate a balance beam while holding two 30-pound cannisters of ammunition; drag a sled loaded with 180 lbs. of sandbags, and vault over obstacles while carrying a rifle.

The traditional testing, challenging in its own right, will remain as a "physical readiness test" administered to soldiers every six months or so.

It is felt that the new tests more accurately reflect the challenges one will face in a battle situation. Soldiers went through the new testing for reporters at the Army's Fitness School at Fort Jackson, S.C., recently, and came out with the impression that the test was hard, but served it's purpose in building the needed confidence, strength, endurance, and agility for combat.

Let's hope that soldiers won't need to do these things in real life situations too much longer!