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US Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test
The United States Marine Corps requires that all Marines perform a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) approximately every 6 months, and Marines must maintain the ability to pass the test at any time. All Marines are provided time to train and are expected to maintain an adequate degree of physical fitness. The PFT consists of three tests. The tests are pull-ups (men) / flexed arm hang (women), crunches, and a 3-mile run. These events are designed to test the strength and stamina of the upper body (shoulder girdle), the midsection, and the lower body. Additionally, the run measures the efficiency of the cardiovascular system.
Assessment
To successfully pass the test, the Marine must complete the minimum requirements for each event, plus earn the required additional points for their age group. Failure to meet the required minimum in any event constitutes failure of the entire test, regardless of total number of points earned. Those who fail the test are placed on a supervised program of physical conditioning until they attain the minimum acceptable level of fitness for their age group.
The scoring system for the tests is relatively straight forward. For males, they achieve 5 points for every pull-up, 1 point for every crunch, and approximately 1 point is deducted from a hundred for every 10 seconds slower than 18 minutes. For females, crunches are scored the same, 1 point for every 1 second up to 40 seconds, then 2 points per second on the flexed arm hang, and approximately 1 point is deducted from a hundred for every 10 seconds slower than 21 minutes. To pass the PFT, all personnel must score a total of 135 points. A perfect score is 300 points. To do this, males must achieve 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and complete the 3 mile run in 18 minutes or less. For females a perfect score requires 70 seconds on the flexed arm hang, 100 crunches, and a 21 minute 3 mile run.
There are also minimum standards that must be achieved. Failure to meet the required minimum in any event constitutes failure of the entire test, regardless of total number of points earned. The minimum is 3 pull-ups and 15 seconds on the flexed arm hang. For crunches, it is the same for both males and females, but the minimum decreases as you get older (starting at 50). For the 3-mile run, the minimum is different for males and females, and the standard also increases as you get older (starting at 28 and 31 minutes respectively). See the test descriptions of more details about the minimum standards.
More Information
For the most up to date information, you should consult Marine Corps Order (MCO) P6100-12.
Related Pages
- Marine Corps Fitness Testing around the world.
- Descriptions of the PFT test procedures: crunches, pull ups, flexed arm hang, 3-mile run
- Testing in other armed forces and similar services.
- videos of forces fitness testing
