The United States Military requires that their troops are highly trained and disciplined. All recruits are put through extensive physical training to prepare them for the battlefield, although each branch of the military has its own training standards.
Army
The Army has a very high standard of physical fitness, documented in the Field Manual 21-20. The physical fitness test for the Army involves sit-ups, push-ups and a two mile run. Field Manual 21-20 contains the standards based on age and sex. Army trainees must meet these standards within two minutes while performing the physical fitness test. Recruits must endure early morning training calisthenics consisting of squats, push-ups, sit-ups and flutter kicks. Long distance running is performed on most days of the week and speed interval training at least once a week. The Army has made recent changes to their physical test or PT system, and the new manual adds drills associated with professional athletes' training such as strength exercises, sprinting and plyometrics -- exercises designed to produce fast, powerful movements and to improve function of the nervous system.
Navy
The U.S. Navy has an extensive physical fitness test which focuses on improving endurance and strength building. The main test involves push-ups, sit-ups and a 1-½ mile run. In some instances a timed 500 meter swim is also a part of the training and test. During the test recruits are heavily scrutinized and graded according to their level of physical fitness, calculated by averaging how well they perform on all three physical tests. Recruits must score a minimum of 60 points.
Air Force
The Air Force physical training program concentrates on core aerobic conditioning, push-ups, crunches and body composition. Scores are dependent on age, gender, height, weight and number of repetitions completed. Any score above 90 is considered exceptional. The last test involves body measurement; scores are based on the overall body composition. Scores are then added together to produce the overall score.
Marines
The Marines' physical fitness test is conducted twice a year. The test involves separate exercise regimes for men and women. Men must perform as many pull ups as possible; the minimum acceptable number of pull ups allowed is three. While the women must hang from the pull up bar for as long as possible. The minimum time is 15 seconds. There is also an abdominal crunch test which involves doing as many crunches as possible within two minutes. Finally there is a timed three mile run which must be completed within 28 to 36 minutes.
Considerations
To be eligible to train for any branch of the Military, recruits must pass the Department of Defense 's medical standards test. These tests are used to ensure trainees are free from contagious diseases and physically disabilities that might hinder their progress as service members; as well as free from any medical conditions that would require excessive amounts of time-off during service.
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