Fitness in the military is based on preparing a service member for combat. The military is not trying to create incredible athletes or provide service members with ripped abs. Physical and mental stress is put to the highest degree by training service members under harsh conditions. Fitness training programs are also designed for soldiers to pass the physical test that is required of every service member. Each branch of the military has its own standards.
Army
The Army standard of physical fitness is found in the field manual 21-20. The Army Physical Fitness Test consists of push-ups, sit-ups and a 2 mile run. Soldiers have two minutes to complete the push-ups and sit-ups to the standards in the FM 21-20 based upon the chart of age and sex. Army basic training conducts early morning physical training calisthenics, including push-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, jumping jacks and squats. Distance running occurs on most days of the week and interval training for speed is one to two days per week. Recently the army has made changes for the first time in 50 years to the PT system. Leaders began to realize that combat requires strength and speed. Lt. Col. Dave Snodgrass, commander of 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment said "I'm a big runner, but the reality is you're never going to run 4 miles in combat," he said. "But I still believe in having soldiers run 4 miles as a way of pushing them to push themselves." The new manual has added more sprints, plyometrics, and strength exercises as professional athletes would train.
Marines
The Marine Corps conducts pull-ups, abdominal crunches and a 3-mile run for its physical training test. Female Mariners hold a flex arm hang position for the required time instead of performing pull-ups. The Marines also focus on swimming in training. The Army does have water survival tests, but little swimming is required. The Marines and Army basic training and combat training are both physically intense because of what is required in combat. Both are put under high levels of physical duress under stressful conditions. Obstacle courses are a way to train soldiers for the conditions of combat. An obstacle course consists of wall climbing, rope climbing, crawling, wall jumping, balance beams and leadership tasks.
Navy
The Navy is less intense on physical fitness than the Marines and the Army, mainly because the conditions required for combat are different. The Navy physical training test consists of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, running and swimming. Swimming is a big part of Navy training.
Air Force and Coast Guard
The Air Force fitness test has push-ups, sit-ups and 1-1/2 mile run. Rescue and aviators have higher physical training requirements. The Coast Guard is the same with an added flexibility and swim test.
Military Overall
Any service member of any branch can be put into a dangerous situation so all of the training is physically challenging. How difficult the challenge depends on the branch, the unit and the job.
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