Food For Thought For The Old And Bold
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CHinecap.........a slight correction to your post; your Boss wasn't the last Boy Entrant to serve - I was a Boy Entrant and I'm still here - albeit as an Auxie and still doin' the biz.........
BTW over 50's are exempt the fitness test - certainly in my neck of the woods and a bloody sensible idea too!! I don't need to prove to the system that I can survive or do the job properly by jockstrapping my way round any fields - personal pride & adrenalin are wonderful things!
BTW over 50's are exempt the fitness test - certainly in my neck of the woods and a bloody sensible idea too!! I don't need to prove to the system that I can survive or do the job properly by jockstrapping my way round any fields - personal pride & adrenalin are wonderful things!
Just because 16 blades has never had to run to his aircraft doesn't mean that others don't. I have also seen plenty of officers loading 4 tonners and carrying out plenty of hard physical graft on ops. If an officer can't pass his or her fitness test without a valid medical reason he or she should be discharged. What kind of example are we setting to the lads if those in charge can't be bothered to keep fit in a fighting force?
It's a sad indication of the way society as a whole is going, how many percent of the UK population is medically obese these days? Pretty sickening.
It's a sad indication of the way society as a whole is going, how many percent of the UK population is medically obese these days? Pretty sickening.
Red On, Green On
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There are numerous situations where fit to serve may need you to be fitter than fit to do your primary duty.
In the RN the most obvious was fighting a fire/damage control. No 999 on the briny.
For aircrew I'd suggest that E&E in a warzone needs pretty high levels of fitness. - fat/unfit and in the bag with electrodes on your b@lls, or fit and picked up by CSAR -
In the RN the most obvious was fighting a fire/damage control. No 999 on the briny.
For aircrew I'd suggest that E&E in a warzone needs pretty high levels of fitness. - fat/unfit and in the bag with electrodes on your b@lls, or fit and picked up by CSAR -
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I don't disagree with the fact that they're changing the fitness test levels as I've personally never found it that taxing and you can generally spot the people that are going to have trouble, and undoubtly be declared unfit for ops anyway should the time arise. I do find the OFT pointless however.
My point really is that they also need to address the other factors around the issue, the removal, some time ago, of Wednesday afternoon PT being one. For a Force that needs to be fit time should be provided during working hours for training to be completed.
Also I can't speak for all bases but the Aircrew Feeder where I am serves up stuff of the category Jamie Oliver tried to get banned from schools and should you want say lettuce you're almost charged by the leaf (different but connected debate I know). Meals in the Mess aren't to dissimilar either. Not exactly complimentary to a healthy lifestyle.
My point is until they address the issue as a whole, fitness training, time availabilty, diet, etc I can't see much changing.
Ant
My point really is that they also need to address the other factors around the issue, the removal, some time ago, of Wednesday afternoon PT being one. For a Force that needs to be fit time should be provided during working hours for training to be completed.
Also I can't speak for all bases but the Aircrew Feeder where I am serves up stuff of the category Jamie Oliver tried to get banned from schools and should you want say lettuce you're almost charged by the leaf (different but connected debate I know). Meals in the Mess aren't to dissimilar either. Not exactly complimentary to a healthy lifestyle.
My point is until they address the issue as a whole, fitness training, time availabilty, diet, etc I can't see much changing.
Ant
Avoid imitations
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Originally Posted by airborne_artist
There are numerous situations where fit to serve may need you to be fitter than fit to do your primary duty.
In the RN the most obvious was fighting a fire/damage control. No 999 on the briny.
For aircrew I'd suggest that E&E in a warzone needs pretty high levels of fitness. - fat/unfit and in the bag with electrodes on your b@lls, or fit and picked up by CSAR -
In the RN the most obvious was fighting a fire/damage control. No 999 on the briny.
For aircrew I'd suggest that E&E in a warzone needs pretty high levels of fitness. - fat/unfit and in the bag with electrodes on your b@lls, or fit and picked up by CSAR -
Red On, Green On
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ST
Agreed, the cunning of the fox is also required to evade successfully, but it helps if you can use both speed and wit. Also helps if you are fit when you get into TQ.
Agreed, the cunning of the fox is also required to evade successfully, but it helps if you can use both speed and wit. Also helps if you are fit when you get into TQ.
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nice to see a familiar buoy again - with all the usual suspects going around it!
frankly - if the prospect of just thinking about doing such a low level fitness test gets one sweaty, perhaps it's time to leave the pointy end of the military. on the other hand, if there is a clutch of fatties on hand when we go downbird; then there will be something for the angry villagers with pitchforks to chase around. either way i will make other arrangements and be welcome for the smokescreen. but i guess this whole debate is being had by folks who don't have to worry about such trivia on a day-to-day basis - whatever........
frankly - if the prospect of just thinking about doing such a low level fitness test gets one sweaty, perhaps it's time to leave the pointy end of the military. on the other hand, if there is a clutch of fatties on hand when we go downbird; then there will be something for the angry villagers with pitchforks to chase around. either way i will make other arrangements and be welcome for the smokescreen. but i guess this whole debate is being had by folks who don't have to worry about such trivia on a day-to-day basis - whatever........
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Interestingly, one of the most common complaints from recruits about basic training at Halton is that they get told to eat healthily in their health and fitness lessons, but the food in the Mess is really unhealthy, so they can't!
I'm not saying that there is any excuse for failing the basic fitness test - there isn't - but we could do better in supporting people, as has been said before.
I'm not saying that there is any excuse for failing the basic fitness test - there isn't - but we could do better in supporting people, as has been said before.
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I am staggered by the number of fat recruits we are getting, both Officer and troops. The training machine seems to have gone soft, lots of Powerpoint presentations on healthy eating etc but very little sweat. A significant number of our LACs have never passed a fitness test at all and yet still graduate.
When I went through Cranwell I was given hell for being about half a stone overweight.
It has taken me 25 years of hard slog to become a plump weazy git I still pass my fitness test with ease though (beep not bike
) but am amazed at the number of teenagers and those in their early 20's who drop out, some at the very early stages. The PTI said that the current stats show a 65% failure rate in that age group.
I agree with earlier posters who say we need a grown up approach. PT etc should be part of the working routine. If not, then things will remain the same. I remember, as a Flight Commander, trying to introduce Wednesday afternoon sports a few years back. I was called in by my boss who said I obviously had too much manpower and invited me to submit an amendment to my LUE so that we could get rid of the excess. Either that, he said, or you are all not working hard enough. With attitudes like that, we are on a hiding to nothing.
When I went through Cranwell I was given hell for being about half a stone overweight.
It has taken me 25 years of hard slog to become a plump weazy git
I still pass my fitness test with ease though (beep not bike ) but am amazed at the number of teenagers and those in their early 20's who drop out, some at the very early stages. The PTI said that the current stats show a 65% failure rate in that age group.I agree with earlier posters who say we need a grown up approach. PT etc should be part of the working routine. If not, then things will remain the same. I remember, as a Flight Commander, trying to introduce Wednesday afternoon sports a few years back. I was called in by my boss who said I obviously had too much manpower and invited me to submit an amendment to my LUE so that we could get rid of the excess. Either that, he said, or you are all not working hard enough. With attitudes like that, we are on a hiding to nothing.
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AA
I'd like you to see you tell Mr Mc and the boys they were fat/ unfit as they unfortunately ended up with the sparky nads treatment. A good coms kit is as essential i suppose. Run around all you like but you cann't beat a radio to get out of the poo.
I'd like you to see you tell Mr Mc and the boys they were fat/ unfit as they unfortunately ended up with the sparky nads treatment. A good coms kit is as essential i suppose. Run around all you like but you cann't beat a radio to get out of the poo.
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Originally Posted by brickhistory
And while it doesn't help your RAF situation, for any comfort, the USAF has had the same low standards that most of us struggle to pass due to not giving exercise the time it should.
Our standards went up a couple of years past, still the lowest (and brunt of most jokes in the DoD) of any service, but as the years whizz by, I am glad that I am the PT monitor/test giver for my little group!
Our standards went up a couple of years past, still the lowest (and brunt of most jokes in the DoD) of any service, but as the years whizz by, I am glad that I am the PT monitor/test giver for my little group!
Red On, Green On
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c17age - Mr McN and I wore the same cap badge. The reason he and his patrol got caught is because the regt had forgotten the lessons of the regt's founders in 1942. Putting lads on foot on the ground in the wide open spaces of the Iraqi desert was asking for trouble. The later, vehicle mounted, patrols had far fewer problems.
I didn't say that fit people don't get captured, because they do, but unfit/fat people are more likely to get captured first/sooner. McN evaded capture for a long time, you will recall. A few of hours of freedom might be all it needs for a CSAR task to be successful.
I didn't say that fit people don't get captured, because they do, but unfit/fat people are more likely to get captured first/sooner. McN evaded capture for a long time, you will recall. A few of hours of freedom might be all it needs for a CSAR task to be successful.
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NEW FITNESS TEST SCORES
MALES OLD NEW
17-24 9-10 9-10
25-29 8-10 9-10
30-34 8-03 9-04
35-39 7-04 8-09
40-44 6-01 8-03
45-49 5-01 7-07
50+ N/A N/A
FEMALES OLD NEW
17-24 6-01 7-02
25-29 5-06 7-02
30-34 5-03 6-08
35-39 4-07 6-04
40-44 4-03 5-08
45-49 3-09 5-04
50+ N/A N/A
These could be them......WEF from April 07
MALES OLD NEW
17-24 9-10 9-10
25-29 8-10 9-10
30-34 8-03 9-04
35-39 7-04 8-09
40-44 6-01 8-03
45-49 5-01 7-07
50+ N/A N/A
FEMALES OLD NEW
17-24 6-01 7-02
25-29 5-06 7-02
30-34 5-03 6-08
35-39 4-07 6-04
40-44 4-03 5-08
45-49 3-09 5-04
50+ N/A N/A
These could be them......WEF from April 07
The only incentive to get some of the wardodgers deployed is to remove the X-Factor, because if they haven't got the motivation to pass the test then they don't deserve it. If they haven't sorted it out in 12 months and there is no valid medical reason then they should then be discharged.
Questions
Questions
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It should be noted that the highest level a female has to achieve...and this could be a 17 year old from the Halton depot. or a slightly older version from Sleaford tech is 7.02.....I type again 7.02.
There's equality for you...Even the boy Hawkins is in with a shout at that level...
There's equality for you...Even the boy Hawkins is in with a shout at that level...
I have to admit, it is pleasant to be getting old uniforms out the closet because my newer ones are now too big.
For my routine, I work through lunch and then spend the last hour of the day at the gym. I figure that if fitness is a service requirement, then it should be done on service time.
Actually, I'm looking forward to when I turn 45 so I can move into a lower PFT bracket! I really do hate it; my idea of hard work is walking to the fridge for another can. There are only two reasons for physical exertion IMO: lovemaking, and running away from nasty situations.
For my routine, I work through lunch and then spend the last hour of the day at the gym. I figure that if fitness is a service requirement, then it should be done on service time.
Actually, I'm looking forward to when I turn 45 so I can move into a lower PFT bracket! I really do hate it; my idea of hard work is walking to the fridge for another can. There are only two reasons for physical exertion IMO: lovemaking, and running away from nasty situations.
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NEW FITNESS TEST SCORES
MALES OLD NEW
17-24 9-10 9-10
25-29 8-10 9-10
30-34 8-03 9-04
35-39 7-04 8-09
40-44 6-01 8-03
45-49 5-01 7-07
50+ N/A N/A
FEMALES OLD NEW
17-24 6-01 7-02
25-29 5-06 7-02
30-34 5-03 6-08
35-39 4-07 6-04
40-44 4-03 5-08
45-49 3-09 5-04
50+ N/A N/A
In these days of equailty why should I have to reach level 8-09 when the useless bird at the navs desk on my flightdeck only has to reach 6-04. We're on the same aircraft in the same theatre
MALES OLD NEW
17-24 9-10 9-10
25-29 8-10 9-10
30-34 8-03 9-04
35-39 7-04 8-09
40-44 6-01 8-03
45-49 5-01 7-07
50+ N/A N/A
FEMALES OLD NEW
17-24 6-01 7-02
25-29 5-06 7-02
30-34 5-03 6-08
35-39 4-07 6-04
40-44 4-03 5-08
45-49 3-09 5-04
50+ N/A N/A
In these days of equailty why should I have to reach level 8-09 when the useless bird at the navs desk on my flightdeck only has to reach 6-04. We're on the same aircraft in the same theatre