Fitness in the Military

Fitness on the military is an important component in supporting their service in securing a country. Indeed, the unforeseen challenges as the military tackles enemies require proper training for such eventualities. It is required that individuals who join the military are fit in consideration to their physical and cardiovascular conditions (Smith, 2018). Smith, (2018) says that, “effective of soldiers depends largely on their physical condition.” Physically fit individuals have ability to carry strenuous exercises in their line of duty. Individuals who are physically unfit are likely to expose their country as weak to their enemies and thus resulting to possible attacks. Some of the major fitness tests that qualify individuals to join the military include running, sit ups and pushups (Smith, 2018). Though different sections of military have varying fitness exercise, changing combat environment require coordinated efforts from all of them. Therefore, there is need to conduct uniform fitness exercises in the various exercises to enhance combat of possible attacks. Standard fitness remains important component in supporting coordinated joint operations against future conflicts. Actually, supporting standardized fitness across the different services guided by joint committee is the basis for measuring effectiveness of the force. 

All Services Have Different Physical Fitness Requirements

Army 

The army in the United States requires performing different physical fitness tests to qualify to join the service. The fitness tests are designed to test the extent individuals can endure to strenuous physical activities in line of their duty. The requirement is to pass in three major exercises through portraying good behavior during the entire process. The main exercise in this category of military includes sit ups, pushups and running (Showman & Henson, 2014). It is expected that a person joining the army need to carry out sit ups and pushups for a period of two continuous minutes each (Showman & Henson, 2014). The individualism expected to score at least 60 points in both of the evens failure to which they are disqualified. Further, the fitness test involves running for about 2 miles where such personas are timed (Smith, 2018). Actually, the minimum points required to qualify in it he tests is 180 points (Smith, 2018). 

Marines 

The Marine Corps in the United States are exposed to relatively different exercises as compared to the other military sections.  The fitness requirement involves pull-ups, 3-mile run and abdominal cru November 2016 Presidential Election nches (U.S Marine Corps, 2018). Indeed, it is identified that the marines carry out the longest run among the different sections of the military. The pull ups are majorly conducted by males and measured by the number of pulls one makes on a bar before getting tired and dropping it. The Alternative exercise that is given to the females is flexed arm hang (U.S Marine Corps, 2018).  The exercise involves the participants hanging as they maintain their elbow flexion. The score for such individuals is measured based on the amount of time such individuals hang their arms. Abdominal crunches are carried out by both males and females and it is expected to be conducted in two minutes (U.S Marine Corps, 2018). The score measures actual crunches conducted within the stipulated time. On average the score required for males and females in the running is 29 minutes and 32 minutes respectively. The pull ups average is 3 minutes and flexible arms in females is 15 seconds (U.S Marine Corps, 2018). The crunches target is 45 in both men and women (U.S Marine Corps, 2018). 

Navy 

Individuals training as navy members also carry relatively different fitness test as compared to their counterparts in the other services. The navy mostly emphasize on individuals taking some swimming activity where they are timed. Indeed, the swimming is carried on a stretch of 450 meters (Smith, 2018). The individuals joining this service have to complete the swimming across the identified section within some set time. Failure to swim within the set time or failing to complete entire exercise results to disqualification of the participant. Further, apart from swimming running is an activity incorporated in the physical fitness where the individuals have to run for 1.5 miles (Smith, 2018). The distance is relatively shorter as compared to the distance covered by those interested in the army. Other activities that must be taken include sit-ups and pushups that last for a period of two minutes (Smith, 2018). However, running is not much emphasized in the fitness for the navy as they push on swimming. It is identified that much of the work for the navy is in the water bodies as they are involved in rescue mission and thus they must be good swimmers. 

Air force 

The air force physical exercises are limited to slightly less time that it is carried in the other services in the military. Actually, the persons interested in this service are required to just carry out sit ups and pushups that take around 1 minute each (Sean, et.al, 2018). Actually, this is half the time that is required to carry the same exercises for individuals in the other forces. The sit-ups in the airfare are actually based on crunches, which are a relatively different exercise from the normal sit ups (Sean, et.al, 2018). The crunches involve the individuals placing their hands on their chests and doing sit ups where they touch their knees with their fore hared. However, the air force candidates are also required to run for about 1.5 miles where they completion time is timed (Sean, et.al, 2018). The fact that air force is expected to spend significant part of their work in the air makes their exercise less focused on physical strength. 

Coast Guard

The coast guard also requires undergoing through it the three main exercises that need to alternate between pushups followed by sit ups and then running. However, the time that is set for the activities is 1 minute for the sit ups and pushups. The distance set for the running cavity is 1.5 miles that is timed (Mitchell, 2018). It is expected that individuals taking the exercise should take about 13 minutes on average to complete the race (Mitchell, 2018). However, the requirements are relatively different for the females who are given an average requirement of about 15 minutes to complete same race (Mitchell, 2018). Failures to complete the exercise within the stipulated time renders individuals disqualified from the exercise. When conducting the exercises, no time is allowed in between them. Therefore, participants need to move from one activity to the other without getting some rest. The impact is ability to measure the potential of such individuals to handle strenuous activities that are subsequent as they carry their duties.

Why not Joint Fitness Standard

Fitness in Today’s Global Environment 

There is a general rise in softness and inadequate physical fitness in the society among the youths across the world (Hunt, 2018). Military leaders in the world are actually concerned about the low levels of fitness in the society as compared to the past. Research shows that about 70% of the youths in America aged between 17 and 24 years are not legible to be admitted in the military (Hunt, 2018). Inadequate physical exercises and issues related to health have been identified as the most significant detriments to proper physical fitness. It is noted that basic patterns of movements are leant in the lower grades, but this is not adequately happening in the learning institutions. The curriculum is more concerned about teaching formal education band creates relatively little time for physical fitness exercises. There are significant injury rates reported from recruiting centers that results to lost time for training and additional treatment costs (Hunt, 2018). Indeed, the impact is a growing concern for lowered numbers of qualified recruits to join the military service. The resultant is possible security threats to different nations in the world.    

Further, there is challenge to physical fitness in the world due to the changing global environment. A comparison with the past years shows changing climatic patterns especially as a result of global warming. Therefore, the earth is becoming relatively hotter with incidences of flooding from water bodies being on the rise (Goldenberg, 2018). Soldiers are expected to survive in the identified different conditions which may not match their prior training. Therefore, such individuals find it challenging to apply their training to the new environment. Indeed, reports indicate that soldiers who are deployed to new locations during wars take relatively long some time before adapting to such environments. Indeed, most of these soldiers are vulnerable to attacks and become victims of fatalities during the first months of their assignment. War scenarios are constantly changing due to possible storms and floods linked to extreme weathers (Goldenberg, 2018). The impact is inadequately matching fitness for the soldiers who are previously trained in optimum environments. Therefore, such scenarios pose the soldiers with challenge and they are significantly unable to carry required combats. 

Challenges we face in the Joint Environments

Joint environments operations are faced with different challenges that need to be handled in order to ensure effective securing of the nation. The operations are faced by the challenge of large formation that limits decision making processes (Knapik, et.al, 2015). Indeed, making important deliberations at brigade level in joint operation is time consuming and limits effectiveness of the mission. Actually, the conduction of training for the different sections makes it challenging to make quick decisions for unit leaders. It is required that the command latitude is adhered in such decisions thus limiting the ability of the unit. Further, different training approaches pose challenge in identifying where to use soft or hard power in war missions (Knapik, et.al, 2015). The resultant is a team that is generally non-proactive in participating in events that are directed towards handling issues of radical extremism. Therefore, the challenge to such combats is limitation to the effectiveness of the team in achieving set objective. 

Further, during joint environments, the military face delayed decisions in times of urgency and uncertainty. There is need for the military to have strategic mechanisms that guide tactical development when handling and facing enemies (East, 2013). However, the issue of different training results to poor risk management and exposure to the enemies. This denies the joint team ability to effectively pursue their objective and significantly limit the number of team causalities from such operations. The effect of limited coordination is poorly planned contingencies and routine deployment that significantly fails to meet required success (East, 2013). In addition, the readiness of the force is limited due to inadequate programming and planning for the new environment. The inadequate matching skills and support services based on prior training affects policy making for the leaders (East, 2013). Therefore, issues such technological foresights are significantly not utilized thus affecting team development. Additionally, the different training offered makes some of the soldiers to be inadequately prepared to face strenuous conditions. The resultant is limitation of the overall success of the team in conducting the assignment given.

Why Re-Evaluate Military Weight Standards 

Military Current Weight Standards

Physical standards in the military are considered important for individuals are willing to join and succeed in the force. The reason for emphasis on the weight requirement is to ensure that soldiers are suited to demands of the military service. The standard is thus important in ensuring that selected individuals can fight well and carry different loads (Hruby, et.al, 2017). During war, it is expected that military carry their personal weapons and have extra to take them through a fight. Body fat is an important factor that is considered in the standards and helps show that an individual has stamina to survive in extreme conditions (Hruby, et.al, 2017). The stamina further helps identify how well individuals are prepared to endure in case of a fight in extreme terrain environments. Weight standards on the other hand are directed to ensuring that soldiers are not overweight (Schvey, et.al, 2016). It is identified that incidences of obesity in the society has potential of increasing number of overweight individuals who want to be recruited in the military (Schvey, et.al, 2016). The health conditions such as heart problems related to such conditions make it important for their military to avoid recruiting such individuals. 

Recruits joining the American military must adhere to the standards of weight and height put in place by the force. The weight requirement for women and men varies based on their component of their body fat. It is expected that individuals who qualify need to have weights and heights, which are above the minimum set requirement. Any incidence of falling short of these requirements makes individuals to be denied opportunity to join even the basic training. For women, the minimum height requirement is 58 inches, which is expected to match with about 91 pounds and a maximum of 119 pounds Military (Advantage, 2018). However, this specification is used in female who are in the age bracket of 17 to 20 years and the range increase unto to 124 pounds for those above 40 years (Advantage, 2018). In case of men, the minimum height still match that for women but minimum weight required is 132 pounds for males within 17 and 20 years (Advantage, 2018). However, those above 40 years have a maximum weight of about 141 pounds considering the same minimum height (Advantage, 2018). 

Military Challenges with Weight Standards

The rising number of obesity cases in the population has resulted to declining number of civilians who make to be recruited in the united stated military. Actually, it is notable excessive weight and high levels of body fats are resulting to disqualification for a significant number in the population. The excessive weights actually result to rejection of about 23% of the applicants to the army (Cawley, & Maclean, 2011). The impact is rejection of about 150,000 from military recruitment ode to failing to meet the weight requirement (Tilghman, 2016). Further, the problem is noted in some of the military personals who fail to check their diet. Research shows that 7.8% of individuals in the military in the United States are suffering from the problem of overweight (Tilghman, 2016). The problem is raising over the years with the problem more observable in women. The impact is significant absenteeism and treatment of weight related diseases, which costs the government and the military relatively huge money. Such individuals are exposed to the risk of suffering from lowered ability to endure cardio-respiratory and muscular activities (Cawley, & Maclean, 2011). Overweight troops have the potential to fail in conducting ground combats thus exposing their team to their enemies. Further, such individuals also pose challenges to their colleagues when they are wounded because it becomes challenging to carry them along (Tilghman, 2016). The observed trend is common in the sectors of the military where strenuous exercises are carried. Weight is actually an important determinant of effectiveness of the military and needs to be monitored continuously. Actually, the solution is joint physical exercise for the force to ensure that such incidences of overweight are avoided. 

Conclusion

Uniform fitness exercise by the multiagency military sectors is important in enhancing the effectiveness of the force in combating enemies. Currently, the different physical fitness exercises that are given to the different services of the military make join operations challenging. Indeed, when faced with a joint environment, the military find it challenging in coordinating their efforts. Further, in the changing global environment also related to climate, there is need for the forces to carry uniform training. The impact will be readiness to respond accordingly to changes in the environment when they are required to carry operations in new locations. The military weight standards require that the recruits have a minimum height of 58 inches and about 91 to 132 pounds for female and males. The minimum standards in weight ensure that the recruits are fit for the operations and can work in strenuous combat missions comfortably. However, the weight requirement is faced by the challenge of overweight in the society. The problems are also identified within the force where about 7% is of the military is reported to be overweight. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that joint physical fitness is carried out in the military.

References

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East, W. B. (2013). A Historical Review and Analysis of Army Physical Readiness Training and Assessment. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a622014.pdf

Goldenberg, S. (2018). Pentagon: Global Warming Will Change How US Military Trains and Goes to War. The Guardian. Retrieved September, from: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/13/pentagon-global-warming-will-change-how-us-military-trains-and-goes-to-war

Hruby, A. Bulathsinhala, L., Mckinnon C., et al. (2017).  Body Mass Index at Accession and Incident Cardio-metabolic Risk Factors in US Army Soldiers, 2001–2011. PLoS ONE 12(1), 1-15

Hunt, T. M. (2018). Not fit to fight? Rethinking Military Recruitment Standards. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/not-fit-fight-rethinking-military-recruitment-standards

Knapik, J. J., Jones, B. H. & Steelman, R. A. (2015). Physical Training in Boots and Running Shoes: A Historical Comparison of Injury Incidence in Basic Combat Training. Military Medicine, 180(3), 321-327

Military Advantage. (2018). U.S. Army Weight Requirements. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from: https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/army-weight-rules.html

Mitchell, P. P. (2018). Join the Coast Guard. New York: Gareth Sevens publishing. 

Schvey, N. A., Barmine, M., Bates,’ D & Oldham, K. (2016). Weight Stigma among Active Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Overweight and Obesity. Stigma and Health, 2(4), 281-291. 

Sean, R., Maria C., L., Carra S., & Stephanie, P., et.al. (2018). Fit for Duty? Evaluating the Physical Fitness Requirements of Battlefield Airmen. Rand Health Quarterly, 7(2), 1-16

Showman, N. & Henson, P. (2014). US Army Physical Readiness. Military Review, 1(1), 12-23

Smith, S. (2018). Army Field Manuals – Physical Fitness Training: Army Field Manual 21-20: Superseded by the FM 7-22. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-field-manuals-3344836

Smith, S. (2018). Navy Physical Fitness Program. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from: https://www.military.com/military-fitness/navy-fitness-requirements/navy-physical-readiness-tests

Tilghman, A. (2016). The U.S. military has a huge problem with obesity and it’s only getting worse. Military Times. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/09/11/the-u-s-military-has-a-huge-problem-with-obesity-and-it-s-only-getting-worse/

U.S Marine Corps (2018). Physical Fitness Test (PFT). Retrieved September 3, 2018, from:https://www.marines.com/being-a-marine/life-in-the-corps/physical-fitness.html