U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa

Marines, German soldiers push personal limits during combat fitness test

Photo by U.S. Marine Cpl. Lydia Davey

KELLY BARRACKS, Germany — A hint of warmth from the sun slipped through the early morning chill, and was welcomed by the two groups who stood huddled together in the crisp Fall air, Nov. 20. A group of American Marines performed warm-up exercises, sipped water, exchanged friendly banter and eyed their German soldier counterparts. A tense, restless mood—complete with jitters, pervaded. But the two groups were not about to battle each other. Instead, they were focused on the same goal - the U.S. Marine Corps’ Combat Fitness Test.

The test, which is still relatively new in its second year of implementation, is an annual requirement for Marines, and tests “burst strength during short durations of strenuous, high-output activity,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Gonzalez, Marine Corps Reserve program manager and training staff non-commissioned officer with U.S. Africa Command. The test includes a half-mile sprint, ammunition can lifts, and a taxing 400-meter, maneuver under fire course which involves dragging and carrying a fellow Marine through a quarter of the course.

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