This exploratory research examines the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Physical Fitness and Combat Fitness tests to ascertain their effect on physical training program design. Physical training program design may be suboptimal because it places emphasis on fitness test preparation rather than preparing Marines for the rigors of combat and tasks found in the operational environment. In twenty-one years of service in the USMC the researcher has observed fitness programming is often designed to support the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT) rather than prepare an individual Marine for the demands of an operational environment. To find the best options, the author reviewed military fitness history, USMC fitness doctrine, and relevant private sector fitness regimens and found current tests award select fitness domains. As a result, the training most Marines undertake is potentially lacking in General Physical Preparedness (GPP). To determine the most appropriate USMC physical training program design the author recommends a future comprehensive study.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)