“Get Ready, Begin” the Army Combat Fitness Test
Story by 1st Lt. Jessica Clarke Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office SALEM, Oregon - Since 1858, the U.S. Army has maintained fundamental physcial fitness standard for Soldiers..Over the years, with multlple revisions, and changes, the importance of physical fitness is a benchmark to guage the readiness of the force. According to Gen. Stephen Townsend, head of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, “The current Army Physical Fitness Test measures muscular strength and endurance, but the existing fitness test does not adequately measure the physical attributes needed for the battlefield.” To prepare 21st Century Soldiers for challenges on the battlefield, the U.S. Army is in the field testing phase of the new Army Combat Fitness Test. The Oregon Army National Guard’s 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion (BEB), 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is one of just 63 selected batallions taking part in the testing phase. The participants are made up of all three U.S. Arm...