DOCSLIB.ORG

Sarah Weinstein Mphil Thesis

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sarah Weinstein Mphil Thesis CONSTRUCTED SERVICE : GENDERED DISCOURSES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES MILITARY Sarah Finch Weinstein A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2013 Full metadata for this item is available in Research@StAndrews:FullText at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/4198 This item is protected by original copyright This item is licensed under a Creative Commons License Constructed Service: Gendered Discourses across the United States Military Sarah Finch Weinstein This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of MPhil at the University of St Andrews 24 October 2013 1. Candidate’s declarations: I, Sarah Weinstein, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 40,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September 2010 and as a candidate for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Studies in September 2010; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2010 and 2013. I, Sarah Weinstein, received assistance in the writing of this thesis in respect of grammar and spelling, which was provided by Kathryn Sharpe. 24 October 2013 2. Supervisor’s declaration: I, Jaremey McMullin, hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Studies in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. 24 October 2013 3. Permission for electronic publication: (to be signed by both candidate and supervisor) In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and the abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use unless exempt by award of an embargo as requested below, and that the library has the right to migrate my thesis into new electronic forms as required to ensure continued access to the thesis. I have obtained any third-party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration, or have requested the appropriate embargo below. The following is an agreed request by candidate and supervisor regarding the electronic publication of this thesis: Access to printed copy and electronic publication of thesis through the University of St Andrews. 24 October 2013 24 October 2013 Sarah Weinstein Jaremey McMullin Abstract The status of female service members in the United States military evolved significantly during the years between 2001 and 2013 due primarily to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the changing nature of warfare, and military manpower requirements. However, despite women’s increased participation in combat and throughout the organization, there is limited understanding of how gender is constructed in the military, its consequences for women’s status, and the nature of cultural change in the organization. This thesis analyzes gender construction in the military across three levels: official documents, recruiting, and service member experience. Discourse analysis is used to uncover the dominant discourses articulated at each level and to understand what identities and policies are legitimated or prohibited. The primary finding is that there is no monolithic construction of gender in the military or single understanding of women’s status and the nature of military culture. The most prevalent discourses illustrate movement towards a more inclusive organization, where gendered traits are downplayed relative to traits understood as ‘gender-neutral,’ equally available to both men and women. The desire to maximize military effectiveness is central to discourse at the official level. Recruiting is the only level of analysis without an explicit challenge to women’s equal service in the military. Service members, articulating their identity and that of those they work with, subordinate femininity, but allow women who reject feminine traits to participate on equal footing with men. The January 2013 decision by the Department of Defense to lift policies that formally exclude women from some types of combat reflects the policies articulated in the dominant discourses uncovered across the three levels of analysis. What new discourses will emerge and how the dominant discourses in the organization will change as a result of this new policy, comprise areas deserving future research. CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION 4 INTRODUCTION 4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 5 THEORY AND METHOD 6 LEVELS OF ANALYSIS 9 CHAPTER OVERVIEW 11 CHAPTER TWO – LITERATURE REVIEW 13 INTRODUCTION 13 TRADITIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF WOMEN AND WAR 13 POLITICAL VIOLENCE/ TERRORISM/ INSURGENTS 14 MILITARY MASCULINITY 18 SETTING UP MILITARY MASCULINITY 18 TYPES OF MILITARY MASCULINITY 18 CONSEQUENCES OF FEMINIST UNDERSTANDINGS OF MILITARY MASCULINITY 21 CULTURAL CHANGE 22 DOING GENDER 24 PEACEKEEPING – CASE STUDY OF EVOLVING MILITARY MASCULINITIES 27 MILITARIZED FEMININITY 29 IDEAL TYPES – LYNNDIE ENGLAND AND JESSICA LYNCH 29 ABUSE 31 COMBAT 34 MILITARY EFFECTIVENESS AND UNIT COHESION 35 JOURNALISTIC ACCOUNTS 36 FIRST PERSON ACCOUNTS 37 CONCLUSION 38 CHAPTER THREE – OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 40 INTRODUCTION 40 RESEARCH AIMS 40 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENTS 41 ANALYSIS 43 1 DEPARTMENT DEFENSE ANNUAL REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY – FISCAL YEAR 2011 43 REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE REVIEW OF LAWS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS RESTRICTING THE SERVICE OF FEMALE MEMBERS IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES – FEBRUARY 2012 47 ST FROM REPRESENTATION TO INCLUSION: DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21 -CENTURY MILITARY 51 CONCLUSION 56 CHAPTER FOUR – MILITARY RECRUITING 59 INTRODUCTION 59 RESEARCH AIMS 60 METHOD 60 ANALYSIS 63 GENDER IN THE RECRUITING PROCESS 63 SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT 65 LESSER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION 68 WOMEN’S CAPABILITIES 70 COMBAT EXCLUSION POLICIES 71 MASCULINITY IN MILITARY CULTURE 72 CONCLUSION 74 CHAPTER FIVE – SERVICE MEMBER EXPERIENCE 76 INTRODUCTION 76 METHOD 76 ANALYSIS 78 CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF 78 CONSTRUCTION OF THE ‘OTHER’ 82 RECEIVED CONSTRUCTIONS OF GENDER 87 COMBAT 92 CONCLUSION 96 CHAPTER SIX – CONCLUSION 98 INTRODUCTION 98 GENDER CONSTRUCTION 98 2 HOW DISCOURSES CONSTRUCT MILITARY CULTURE AND WOMEN’S SERVICE 99 CONTRADICTIONS PRESENT BETWEEN DISCOURSES 101 SILENCES IN DISCOURSES 102 POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF GENDER CONSTRUCTIONS 103 ASSESSING THE LITERATURE 104 NATURE OF MILITARY CULTURE 104 CULTURAL CHANGE 107 GENDERED EXPRESSIONS AND STRATEGIES EMPLOYED TO NAVIGATE MILITARY CULTURE 108 GENDER AS A LENS FOR ANALYSIS 110 FUTURE RESEARCH 111 BIBLIOGRAPHY 114 APPENDIX ONE – RECRUITER INTERVIEW SCHEDULE 120 APPENDIX TWO – SERVICE MEMBER INTERVIEW SCHEDULE 122 APPENDIX THREE – ETHICAL APPROVAL 125 3 Chapter One - Introduction Introduction In the United States military, the period from 2001 to 2013 is characterized by the integration of female service members. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan brought women soldiers into unprecedented positions and proximity to combat. More than 280,000 female service members participated in these wars from 2001 to 2013 alone, and over 150 were killed.1 These new roles have brought increased attention to the service of women, as well as debate over their participation, both in the military and in American society. Despite their increased participation in the United States military, women in the organization continue to face significant structural and cultural challenges to their service. Until the January 2013 repeal of the 1994 Direct Combat Definition and Assignment Rule, women were formally excluded from participation in the following: ground combat below the brigade level;2 positions that involved long-range reconnaissance and special operations forces, that required physically demanding tasks, or where the costs of appropriate berthing and privacy arrangements were prohibitive; and in units that physically co-located with direct ground combat units.3 Despite these combat exclusion policies, women experience combat in numerous official and unofficial ways. These include ‘attaching’ women to combat units to get around the prohibition, the Lioness Program, the creation of Female Engagement Teams, and the changing nature of modern warfare, which lacks clearly defined boundaries and distinctions between combat and support roles. Women in the military also face the threat of physical and emotional violence perpetrated by their fellow service members. Sexual assault and harassment remain prevalent in the organization. Despite these issues being associated with women, large numbers of male service members also report sexual assault while serving.4 The military estimates that 19,000 service members are victimized each year, although only 3,000 report the incidences.5 The 1 Elisabeth Bumiller and Thom Shanker, “Pentagon Set to Lift Ban on Women in Combat Roles,” The New York Times, January 23, 2013, sec. U.S., http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/us/pentagon-says-it-is-lifting-ban-on- women-in-combat.html. 2 Since February of 2012, women have been permitted to serve in direct ground combat units at the battalion level, in select occupational specialties already open to women. 3 Report to Congress on the Review of Laws, Policies and Regulations Restricting the Service of Female Members in the U.S. Armed Forces (Department of Defense, February 2012). 4 Timothy Elig, 2010 Worplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members: Overview Report on Sexual Assault (Defense Manpower Data Center, March 2011). 5 Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military (Department of Defense, FY 2011).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Comparison of the U.S. Air Force Fitness Test and Sister Services' Combat-Oriented Fitness Tests
    Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT Scholar Theses and Dissertations Student Graduate Works 3-9-2009 A Comparison of the U.S. Air Force Fitness Test and Sister Services' Combat-Oriented Fitness Tests Thomas E. Worden Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.afit.edu/etd Part of the Exercise Science Commons Recommended Citation Worden, Thomas E., "A Comparison of the U.S. Air Force Fitness Test and Sister Services' Combat- Oriented Fitness Tests" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 2460. https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/2460 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Graduate Works at AFIT Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AFIT Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A COMPARISON OF THE US AIR FORCE FITNESS TEST AND SISTER SERVICES’ COMBAT-ORIENTED FITNESS TESTS THESIS Thomas E. Worden, Captain, USAF AFIT/GEM/ENC/09-01 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. AFIT/GEM/ENC/09-01 A COMPARISON OF THE US AIR FORCE FITNESS TEST AND SISTER SERVICES’ COMBAT-ORIENTED FITNESS TESTS THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Mathematics and Statistics Graduate School of Engineering and Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air Education and Training Command In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering Management Thomas E.
    [Show full text]
  • Educator's Workshop
    EDUCATOR’S WORKSHOP 12th MARINE CORPS DISTRICT RECRUITING STATION PORTLAND Message from the Commanding Officer TABLE OF CONTENTS Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of all the Marines of the TABLE OF 12th Marine Corps District, I would like to thank you for participating in the Educator’s Workshop. CONTENTS Throughout your week here at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, we hope to have provided you with a glimpse into the incredible MISSION OF THE CORPS 01 transformation of our nation’s young men and women as they transition SEMPER FIDELIS 03 from civilians to United States Marines. Additionally, we have attempted to improve your understanding of the career and educational opportunities DAY 1: RECEIVING 05 provided to our Marines after they have completed basic training. Finally, we expect your visit will continue to spark questions, concerns, and interests about the Corps and hope the relationships you have built with your local COMBAT FITNESS TEST 09 recruiters will continue to grow. As you have witnessed this week, your contributions as educators are MCMAP / BAYONET ASSAULT COURSE 13 critical to the overall process of making Marines. Without the solid foundation of knowledge, character, and morality imparted by educators, we could not succeed in our mission. The foundation you have helped build is the bedrock DAY 2: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR 17 of who we are as Marines and we are eternally grateful for what you have provided us. DAY 3: RIFLE RANGE 21 Moving forward, please feel free to share your experiences with your families, friends, and fellow educators.
    [Show full text]
  • Performance on USMC Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test Events to Physically Demanding Military Occupational Specialty Tasks
    Correlation of Performance on USMC Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test Events to Physically Demanding Military Occupational Specialty Tasks Brian J. McGuire, MS ATC CSCS Colonel, USMCR USMC Training and Education Command QtiVA Administrative • Any Media Present? – Non-attribution • Disclaimer: This brief is not an official representation of USMC or Department or Defense policy. Any opinions presented are mine alone. • Acknowledgements: – NSCA and TSAC – Dr. Karen Kelly and Dr. Jason Jameson • Naval Health Research Center – Mr. Leon Pappa and Mr. James Jabinal • USMC Training and Education Command Purpose / Endstate • Purpose: To provide an overview of the methodology and findings of a study that examined the correlation of performance on USMC Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT) events to physically demanding Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) tasks • Endstate: – TSAC attendees with an understanding of how performance on USMC PFT and CFT correlates to physically demanding tasks. – TSAC attendees with an enhanced understanding of how to assess whether existing fitness tests in their respective agencies correlate to actual job demands. Agenda • Bottom Line Up Front • Overview of USMC PFT and CFT • Development of tests for physically demanding MOS tasks • Testing • Results • Questions 4 Bottom Line Up Front • Performance on most USMC PFT and CFT events can serve as a sound basis for making valid inferences about a Marine’s capability to perform physically demanding MOS tasks. Overview of PFT and CFT PFT CFT The PFT is a collective measure of general fitness The CFT is a complement to the PFT and measures Marine Corps-wide. The PFT was specifically the functional elements of combat fitness through designed to test the strength and stamina of the execution of a series of events that represent every upper body, midsection, and lower body, as well as Marine’s combat experience, emphasizing our ethos efficiency of the cardiovascular and respiratory of “every Marine a rifleman.” systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Tailored Fitness Programs Prepare Soldiers for Combat 2Nd Lt
    A Soldier with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), races on a rowing machine during the Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning (THOR3) event of the Legion’s 53rd Anniversary Commander’s Cup Competition held Sept. 20, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Justin Moeller) Tailored Fitness Programs Prepare Soldiers for Combat 2nd Lt. Clay Stanley Dagger Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division .S. Army Special Operations Soldiers have access see Bear et al., 2017; Knipscher, 2010). to some of the most advanced military weap- Musculoskeletal injury rates are an issue across the ons and equipment in the world. However, the Army. Lost work due to injury costs the military mil- Umost important asset in Army Special Operations Forces lions of dollars a year, increases the workload on healthy (SOF) is the human element. The Army invests millions Soldiers, and decreases mission-readiness (Jones et al., of dollars in training each SOF Soldier. It makes sense 1993). This problem is especially impactful within SOF, to maximize the physical readiness and minimize the where personnel who require years of specialized train- personnel loss by avoiding non-combat-related injuries ing cannot be easily replaced when injured. with new physical training programs (Ragusa, 2012; also The Army has recognized injury prevention as a NCO Journal 1 October 2018 Master Sgt. Amy Prince, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, attempts to dead lift 280 pounds during an Army Combat Fitness Test held at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2018. (U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
    UNCLASS/FOUO AMERICA’S ARMY: Globally Responsive, Regionally Engaged Army G-3/5/7 Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training CIMT HQ as of 20191130 Approved for Public Release 1 UNCLASS/FOUO AMERICA’S ARMY: Army Combat Fitness Test Globally Responsive, Regionally Engaged Objectives Army G-3/5/7 Army Combat Fitness Test Purpose: Assess a Soldier’s physical performance capability within components of combat fitness Objectives 1. Improve individual Soldier readiness 2. Transform the culture of Army fitness 3. Reduce preventable injuries and attrition 4. Enhance mental toughness and stamina 5. Contribute to increased unit readiness ACFT is both gender neutral and age neutral CIMT HQ as of 20191130 2 UNCLASS/FOUO AMERICA’S ARMY: Army Combat Fitness Test Globally Responsive, Regionally Engaged Events Army G-3/5/7 Muscular Muscular Cardio Power Speed Agility Endurance Strength Endurance #3 Hand Release Push-Up #5 Leg Tuck #1 3RM Deadlift #2 Standing Power Throw #4 Sprint, Drag, Carry #6 2.0-Mile Run Reaction Balance Flexibility Coordination Time CIMT HQ as of 20191130 3 UNCLASS/FOUO AMERICA’S ARMY: Army Combat Fitness Test Globally Responsive, Regionally Engaged ACFT – 3RM Deadlift (MDL) Army G-3/5/7 • Task: Execute the 3 repetition maximum (RM) • Relevant Principles for Event Selection deadlift event to assess lower-body strength 1. Efficacy: Highly predictive test to assess for lower body / • Condition: Given a hexbar, weight plates, and core muscular strength barbell collars totaling up to 460lbs in an outdoor or 2. Safety: Hexbar (vs Olympic bar) provides better indoor testing environment anatomical position for proper lifting – controls for injury • Standard: Within five (5) minutes, conduct three (3) 3.
    [Show full text]
  • June Quarterly Business Meeting Request for Information (RFI)
    INFORMATION PAPER ATCG-MTA 31 AUG 20 SUBJECT: Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) June Quarterly Business Meeting Request for Information (RFI) Purpose. To provide DACOWITS written responses to the following questions related to the ACFT: ARMY COMBAT FITNESS TEST (ACFT) (E&I) In October 2018, master fitness trainers began field-testing the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). In early 2019, select Army units took two ‘not-for-record’ ACFTs. By October 2020, the new age- and gender-neutral ACFT is slated to replace the nearly 40-year-old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and become the new official test of record. The Committee is interested in learning more about how this test will impact servicewomen’s careers in the Army. The Committee requests a written response from the Army on the results of the ACFT pilot and testing 7 results to date: a. Overall pass/fail rates by gender and age. b. Individual element pass/fail rates by gender and age. The Committee request a written response from the Army detailing the science used to establish the ACFT 8 with gender and age neutral requirements, to include: a. What science resources support gender and age neutral requirements? b. Do any of these science resources identify risks relative to gender and age for any of the six ACFT elements? The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) made provisions for gender neutral occupational testing. 9 In addition, DoDI 1308.3, DoD Physical Fitness and Body Fat Programs Procedures, Para. 6.1.3.1, states: “PFTs assess Service-wide baseline generalized fitness levels and are not intended to represent mission or occupationally specific fitness demands.” The Committee is concerned that the Army’s new ACFT may fall outside the intent of the NDAA and the scope of DoDI policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating the Physical Fitness Requirements of Battlefield Airmen
    Research Report Fit for Duty? Evaluating the Physical Fitness Requirements of Battlefield Airmen Sean Robson, Maria C. Lytell, Carra S. Sims, Stephanie Pezard, Thomas Manacapilli, Amanda Anderson, Therese Bohusch, Abigail Haddad C O R P O R A T I O N For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR618 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-0-8330-8805-5 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2017 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Foreword The data described in this report were collected from 2011 to 2012 and provided the foundation for ongoing work conducted by the Air Force and RAND.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis in Support of the Women in Service Restriction Review Study
    Women in Service Restriction Review 1 Analysis in Support of the Women in Service Restriction Review Study (b) (6) (b) (6) Naval Health Research Center San Diego, CA (b) (6) U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command Quantico, VA This analysis was supported by the U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM), under work unit N1235. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies only (For Official Use Only). This research has been conducted in compliance with all applicable federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects in research. Women in Service Restriction Review 2 SUMMARY Problem Military career advancement depends crucially on serving in combat roles, which is a restriction that has placed inherent limits on a woman’s ability to advance to leadership roles. The Pentagon is currently removing these restrictions across all branches of the military. To ensure that this integration effort proceeds fairly while still maintaining the military’s operational readiness, several questions related to physical readiness need to be answered: (1) What tests are available for estimating whether someone is physically prepared for combat? (2) How effective are these tests? (3) Are there substantial differences in performance between men and women on these tests? (4) Are these differences large enough that they indicate particularly challenging obstacles for women to overcome before they can serve in combat? What are these areas? Do they relate to strength, to endurance, or to particular types of strength? Answers to these questions naturally imply another: If these obstacles exist, can women overcome them? Objective In support of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Royal Marines Fitness Tests
    Royal Marines Fitness Tests 2 Royal Marines Fitness Tests Index Introduction 5 Policy Statement 5 Training Levels 6 Fitness Test Instructor Qualification 7 Requirements Summary Test and Admin Procedure 8 “Administrative Action” for failures 9 Instructor Notes Introduction 11 Royal Marines Basic Fitness Test (RM BFT) 15 RM BFT Standards 17 Royal Marines Basic Fitness Test 40+ 18 RM BFT - Pull-up test protocol 19 RM BFT - Sit-up test protocol 23 RM BFT - Aerobic test (run) protocol 25 Declaration of Health Questionnaire (DHQ) 29 Combat Fitness Test (CFT) 31 Royal Marines Battle Swimming Test 37 Royal Marines Advanced Personal Fitness Assessment 41 Royal Marines Advanced Combat Fitness Test 55 Representative Military Tests 63 Body Composition Measurement (BCM) - RM Protocol 67 Body Composition Measurement (BCM) - Results Sheet 73 JPA Administrator RM BFT Input Guide 74 References 75 3 Royal Marines Fitness Tests 4 Royal Marines Fitness Tests ROYAL MARINES FITNESS TESTS POLICY STATEMENT Introduction Physical fitness is a fundamental requirement for every member of the Royal 1 Marines in order to ensure combat effectiveness, job performance, and general health are maintained. Furthermore, physical fitness is an indispensable aspect of leadership that is essential to the day to day effectiveness and combat readiness of the Royal Marines. The degree of self-discipline required to gain and retain high levels of physical fitness is inherent in the Royal Marines way of life and must be part of the character of every member of the Royal Marines. Royal Marines who are unfit reduce the effectiveness of their Units and detract from the overall performance and public image of the Royal Marines.
    [Show full text]
  • Army Combat Fitness Test: Concerns for the Reserve Components
    Army Combat Fitness Test: Concerns for the Reserve Components By Kevin Hollinger The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) presents challenges for the Army Reserve and National Guard at every implementation and execution level. The Army operation instruction states, “The ACFT consists of the 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL), the Standing Power Throw (SPT), the Hand-Release Push-up (HRP), the Spring-Drag-Carry (SDC), the Leg Tuck (LTK) and the 2 Mile Run (2MR).” To conduct the numerous drills for the ACFT, every unit needs the following equipment: • 60-pound trap bar • Traffic cones • Plates weighing 340 pounds • Marker domes • 10-pound medicine ball • Designated test site 30m x 50m • 40-pound kettlebells (2) on grass or artificial turf, • 90-pound sled approximately ½ of a football • Pull-up bar field, a briefing area, an area to • Stopwatch conduct Preparation Drill and • Tape measure Recovery Drill, and a soft, flat area for field-based events The total cost of this test is currently unknown. Still, it must also factor in the personnel to conduct the test, which includes event supervisors, graders, timers, demonstrators, and support personnel who have been through training. What is also unknown is the cost of how long it will take for each soldier to complete the test. Without the commitment to provide multiple lanes of training, meeting the test is significantly longer than the current APFT, two hours for an entire unit of 150 servicemembers. We do know that the Active Component is planning to spend more than $40 million for equipment to begin testing plus the cost of training and certifying over five thousand fitness instructors.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparison of United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test Results
    Original Research A Comparison of United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test Results MARC KEEFER† and MARK DEBELISO‡ Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, USA †Denotes graduate student author, ‡Denotes professional author ABSTRACT International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1741-1755, 2020. The United States Marines Corps (USMC) have installed a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to measure physical fitness levels and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) to assess a Marine’s functional fitness as it relates to the demands of combat operations. The PFT involves three events; pull-ups/push-ups (PU), two-minute abdominal crunches/sit-ups (AC), and a timed three-mile run (RUN). The CFT also involves three events; Movement to Contact (MTC), two-minute Ammunition Lift (AL), and Maneuver-Under-Fire (MANUF). It is of interest to determine if the PFT and CFT are both necessary. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the degree of relationships between PFT (PU, AC, RUN, and total) and CFT (MTC, AL, MANUF, and total) scores of active duty Marines. The PFT and CFT scores from 19,678 active duty enlisted USMC males (age 22.5±1.3 years, height 1.77±0.07 m, body mass 79.4±10.3 kg) were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between the PFT and CFT total scores as well as individual events. The PFT mean±sd scores were as follows: PU=18.0±5.0 (pull-ups), AC=111.2±9.0 (repetitions), RUN=1377.0±131.4 sec, PFT total=249.6±29.6.
    [Show full text]
  • Nrotcuhr M-1533.1C 27 July 2021 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit Hampton Roads Battalion Guidebook
    NROTCUHR M-1533.1C 27 JULY 2021 NAVAL RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS UNIT HAMPTON ROADS BATTALION GUIDEBOOK NROTCUHR M-1533.1C 27 JULY 2021 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK NROTCUHR M-1533.1C 27 JULY 2021 Table of Issuance and Revisions/Changes NROTCUHR Manual Basic Issuance Date 1533.1 March 2019 Change/Revision History Date Published CH-1 March 2020 CH-2 September 2020 CH-3 November 2020 NROTCUHR M-1533.1B July 2021 NROTCUHR M-1533.1C 27 JULY 2021 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK NROTCUHR M-1533.1C 27 JULY 2021 NROTCUHR M-1533.1C From: Commanding Officer, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit Hampton Roads Subj: BATTALION GUIDEBOOK 1. Purpose. The purpose of this manual is to provide the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit Hampton Roads (NROTCUHR) Battalion members general rules, regulations, traditions, and customs. 2. Cancellation. This manual supersedes all previous issuances of the Battalion Guidebook. 3. Authority. This manual applies to Midshipmen (MIDN), Officer Candidates (OCs), and active-duty Marine Corps personnel enrolled in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program (MECEP). 4. Intent. NROTCUHR is comprised of Midshipmen students and active-duty Navy and Marine Corps students and staff. This guidebook outlines to all members how the battalion will be organized and operated by the battalion student Chain-of-Command (CoC) and the staff CoC. 5. Authorized Use. This manual shall be used as a reference guide for all student members of the battalion. This guidebook does not supersede any other instructions issued by NROTCUHR or the Navy and Marine Corps. All personnel shall read this guidebook in its entirety upon their entry into the program and should review it prior to the start of each academic year.
    [Show full text]