AI Overview
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Fighting Fit and Fit to Fight”: Physical Training and Rifle …
Military physical training in the 1940s focused on combat readiness, evolving through several testing batteries including the 1941 FM 21-20, 1942 Army Ground Forces Test (AGFT), and the 1944 Physical Efficiency Test Battery (PETB). Exercises included sprints, broad jumps, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, squat jumps, and 300-yard runs, designed to build strength, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular fitness for the rigors of WWII. Recruits were assessed and trained as units, undergoing rigorous physical conditioning as part of basic training.
Early 1940s Standards (FM 21-20)
1941: The War Department published FM 21-20, the first formal physical training manual.
Events: A four-event test included the 100-yard sprint, running high jump, running broad jump, and push-ups.
Purpose: This test established minimum standards for fitness and provided a framework for assessing soldiers' combat suitability.
War-Era Developments (AGFT & PETB)
1942: The Army Ground Forces Test (AGFT) was implemented at basic training centers.
Events: The AGFT was a more demanding five-event test that included squat jumps, sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, and a 300-yard run.
Purpose: This test assessed functional fitness and the strength, mobility, and endurance needed for battlefield tasks.
1944: The Physical Efficiency Test Battery (PETB) updated the AGFT.
Events: The PETB removed certain exercises, like the 4-mile march and 75-yard zig-zag run, but added pull-ups, sit-ups, and squat jumps.
Purpose: The PETB incorporated the experiences of soldiers fighting in WWII to better measure fitness for combat roles, with different standards for roles like paratroopers.
Common Training Elements
Calisthenics: Bodyweight exercises like squats, sit-ups, and push-ups were a cornerstone of training.
Cardiovascular Training: Running and shuttle runs were used to develop endurance.
Unit Training: Physical training was conducted in platoons to foster teamwork and develop a cohesive fighting unit.
Strenuous Demands: Drill instructors used tough methods and the threat of physical punishment to ensure recruits paid attention to detail and protocol.