The results below are based on Poll data from Facebook and Reddit. The fitness tests in question are the official fitness tests for each branch of the US Military. The branches are: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy. We excluded the Air Force and Space Force because their fitness tests are objectively less difficult...sorry.
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The question isn't which test overall is the hardest though. The question is which test is the hardest to get the MAXIMUM score? Below are a list of the tests (hardest standard for each exercise), and under that you'll find the results from the compiled poll answers. (Branches listed in alphabetical order below).
ARMY:
The Army has been using the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) for several years now. It consists of six different events.
1: Hex Bar Deadlift (340lbs x 3 reps for the hardest standard).
2: 10lb Standing Power Throw (13.1 meters).
3: 62 Hand Release Pushups in 2 minutes.
4: Sprint, Drag, Carry in 1 minute 30 seconds.
5: Plank: 3 minutes 40 seconds.
6: 2 Mile Run: 13 minutes 27 seconds.
Coast Guard:
While people in other military branches often make fun at the expense of the Coast Guard, their fitness test is no joke.
1: 60 Pushups in 2 minutes.
2: 100 Situps in 2 minutes.
3: 1.5 Mile Run in 8 minutes 4 seconds.
Marines:
The Marines have a reputation for being tough. While other military branches change-up their recruiting strategies, the Marines are always about toughness and grit and pride. Their PT test gives some insight into this mentality.
1: 23 Pullups.
2: Crunches x 115.
3: 3 mile run in 18 minutes.
Navy: Masters of the sea, and also quite fit based on their PT test max scores. I didn't see swimming on the list at all for people who are out at sea...who knows!
1: Pushups x 92 in 2 minutes.
2: Plank for 3 minutes 40 seconds.
3: 1.5 mile run in 8 minutes 15 seconds.
It was a small sample size, but along with our breakdown above, I'm sure you have a good idea now which branch of the military has the toughest physical fitness test to max.
RESULTS!
Total Votes: 32
1st Place: Marines (22 Votes)
2nd Place: Army (6 Votes)
3rd Place: Coast Guard (3 votes)
4th Place: Navy (1 vote)
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