Marine Corps Physical Fitness for Women

Every Marine must be physically fit, regardless of age, grade, or duty assignment. Fitness is essential to the day-to-day effectiveness and combat readiness of the Marine Corps. All Marines engage in a physical conditioning program on a continuing and progressive basis.

The Marine Corps physical conditioning platoon (PCP) consists of a physical fitness test and a body composition program for new recruits.

Then there are a semi-annual physical fitness test (PFT) to evaluate Marines' condition. 

Here are the conditions and requirements for female Marines taking the semi-annual PFT.

Uniform

The authorized uniform for the (PFT) is the US.. Marine Corps green-on-green T-shirt and shorts, socks, and running shoes. The green-on-green sweat suit may be used in winter climates, and gloves are allowed when appropriate. Uniform substitutions may be granted at the discretion of the commanding officer.

Sequence of Events

The sequence of PFT events also will be left to the discretion of the commanding officer (CO). All PFT events will be conducted in a single session, not to exceed two hours in duration. Movement of Marines from one event to the next should allow adequate time to recover, stretch, and drink water.

These are the exercises included in the standard PFT:

Flexed-Arm Hang.

The goal of the flexed-arm hang event is for a Marine to maintain elbow flexion and hang for as long as possible.

This is a timed event, and any sweatshirts must be removed so the CO can observe when the Marine has completely locked her elbows.

Assistance to the bar with a step up, being lifted up, or jumping up to the start position is allowed. The bar must be grasped with both palms facing either forward or to the rear.

The correct starting position begins when the Marine’s arms are flexed at the elbow, the chin is held above the bar, but not touching it, and the body is motionless. At no time during this exercise should a Marine rest her chin on the bar.

Marines are authorized to drop down below the bar, however, some degree of elbow flexion must be maintained with both arms. Once a Marine's arms are fully extended or the Marine drops off the bar, the clock will stop.

Abdominal Crunch

The goal of the abdominal crunch event is for a Marine to execute as many proper and complete crunches within the two-minute time limit. She will lie on a flat surface, with shoulder blades touching the deck, knees bent, and both feet flat on the deck.

Her arms will be folded across her chest or rib cage with no gap between the arms and chest/rib cage. Both arms must remain in constant contact with chest/rib cage throughout the exercise. A single repetition consists of raising the upper body from the starting position until both forearms or elbows simultaneously touch the thighs, and then returning to the starting position with the shoulder blades touching the deck.