When I enlisted in (ahem) 1967, Marines had two physical fitness tests they had to pass: 1) the physical fitness test (PFT) and 2) the physical readiness test (PRT).
The PFT was an individual effort test and the scoring table awarded more points for better performance. For some reason, my memory recalls there being more than three events (pull-ups, sit-ups, 3 mile run) for the PFT in the early years of my service but it was pretty quickly pared down to today’s standard three events in the name of efficiency since it took time to administer it, especially when it was being done semi-annually by every one in the unit.
The PRT was done annually as I recall and consisted of a lot of combat-related physical tasks. Some of the events I remember were fireman’s carry, shuttle run, step-ups, 20 foot rope climb, running leap of an 8 foot trench, 3 mile run, etc. The PRT was pass/fail so individual max performance incentive was muted. In fact, units would sometimes do the run in formation with the strong runners “helping” the weak ones. There were 11(?) events in the PRT when I first came in, then it was cut to 9(?) (or was it 7 (?)) and then it was finally eliminated as being too time consuming to administer, difficult to maintain all the test fixtures/materials, and some considered the PFT good enough to assess fitness after boot camp.
Seems like a version of the PRT has been revived to ensure that “equality” and “diversity” do not compromise combat effectiveness. Good for them.
Semper Fi.
Thanks! We had to do a lot of pass/fails, too, but you know that most Army initial training was physically and mentally easier than what was required for my MOS (13 weeks of one-station unit training for initial training for us—all total control, no passes except for one between phases 1 and 2). After 13 weeks, I enjoyed pushing the ground and barking, until the standing, resting drill sergeants were tired. ;-)
“Seems like a version of the PRT has been revived to ensure that “equality” and “diversity” do not compromise combat effectiveness. Good for them.”
And if the ammunition can carry doesn’t do we, we can always add the classic “write your name in the snow” test!