Ooh Ra--Security Forces runs Marine Corps combat fitness test

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kerry Bartlett
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Minneapolis, St. Paul --  The afternoon heat of the July UTA arrived five hours early - just in time to greet the members of the 934th Security Forces Squadron as they ran the Marine Corps Combat Physical Fitness Test, just for the fun of it.

The test is a challenging event that measures cardio vascular endurance and physical stamina. It begins with a one half mile run. Phase two is lifting a 30-pound ammunition can overhead as many times as possible in two minutes. The last phase is a 300-yard combination of crawls, running and weaving through cones, buddy drag, fireman's carry, hand-grenade toss and ammo can carry.

Master Sgt. Doug Ranke, 934th SFS and former Marine military policeman, organized the event that turned out to be a huge success.
No one quit, he said. In fact, many asked to do it again.
Since most of the unit just returned from deployment, the training has real application.

"This is something we can use on the battlefield," Sergeant Ranke said. "It's more practical than a physical fitness test and the tasks are combat related."
It was not done to compete with the Marines.

"We hold the Marines in high esteem," Sergeant Ranke said.
"There wasn't an easy part," said Tech. Sgt. Paul Trout, 934th SFS. "In Security Forces, it isn't surprising that everyone wants to do it again ", he added.

"We eat this stuff up," said Capt. Judd Citrowske, 934th SFS operations officer.
When Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Camacho was asked if she was ready to run it again, she said with a smile, "yes, but not today."