Sinjmajeep, MuscleMan had the size of it when he said
the RAFFT was introduced for the reasons I mention above. It is a health based test and nothing whatsoever to do with fitness to serve, operate or any other task
So the issue, asides from b^lls ache, admin problems and ultimately sanctions, has nothing whatever to do with operations as people who are unfit are still sent overseas.
No, the issue is one of simple fitness. An issue that must be sold to the troops so that they can engage with fitness. The present system, testing aside, is for structured PE on all courses over N weeks duration. In initial training the new recruit is introduced to a range of physical exercise possibilities. Once out in the world there are opportunities but no formal structure.
Without a formal structure the only measure of fitness has been the RAFFT. Much griping here has been about the diversion from primary tasks or the need to undertake exercise, and tests, in own time.
What we need is for someone to have the b^lls to make fitness training part of the primary task. This would mean that existing tasks are cut back not that fitness is shoehorned in.
As has already been mentioned we would need an increase in manning if we are to do the primary task and fitness training
without impinging on personal quality of life time.
NB
Yes, some people have stacks of free time. Lots of others do not.