USMC Aviation/Introduction.

[PSno23]

I don't think that one needs to max the PFT in order to show a bunch of 18-22 year olds why they're an Officer of Marines. Not everyone is capable of running an 18 minute three mile. My SPC at TBS was a rather large individual and said the best he could do was a 22 min 3 mile. Does that make him a bad officer? Hell no, because he looks out for his Marines and takes care of them. Yes, being physically fit is a plus, but the difference between a 225 and a 300 PFT score does not equate to being a bad officer. If a 225 wasn't good enough, it wouldn't be considered first class. In my opinion, as long as you are proficient in your job and take care of your Marines above everything else, then you are a good officer.

 

[SoICanBeFree]

Your pft doesn't make you a good or bad officer...... no arguments there.

What it does do is measure and rank you against other individuals attempting to get selected to OCS/PLC. If the gouge from my OSO is true, and it appears to make sense, in general the higher the PFT, the better statstical chance you will make it through OCS/TBS based purely from a physical standpoint. Hence the more reason to select you.. as a board what are you going to do? Select a candidate with a 200pft or one with a 300pft all else equal?

 

[riley]

To Nebulae,

I went through OCC 187 this past fall. The one femal platoon started at around 50 - 55 candidates and graduated around 20 candidates. I would say at least 5 of those that did graduate should not have because they had been light duty for several weeks, some over 5 weeks. It hurt them when they got to TBS. Females aren't graded on pullups, but the femal platoon did do pullups for PT some days. My personal opinion on the femal PFT is that it doesn't really help you determine how you are physically prepared. I had a female in my platoon at TBS who had over a 280 PFT, but fell out of every run and hump we ever had. Several times myself and other Marines were literally dragging her so she could stay with our platoon. I would include pushups and pullups in your training, just to prepare physically overall. Focus a lot on your running and endurance - aside from the PFT, that is what is really looked at.

For the males out there - you will do fine at OCS if you have a 250 or above. If you are below 250, but still first class, you will struggle, but it doesn't mean you will fail. I had two 300 PFT candidates in my platoon drop, so PFT scores aren't the end of the world.

 

[Nebulae]

Thanks "riley mcconnell" for the reply. That is good to know. I was very skeptical about not having pull-ups/push-ups required for the female PFT. I will take your advice and hope it'll have me physically ready by the time I get to OCS.