[NousDefionsDoc]

Yes.

I do not feel that the APFT is an accurate measure of a soldier's ability to function under combat conditions with a combat load. I have seen it time and time again.

SF is famous for long marches at a very fast pace with heavy loads. And for the most part these are not young men by military standards. They are, however, very tough men. I have officially been to war once and been shot at numerous times. I have never done a push up or situp in response, nor have I ever had to run two miles to get to cover. I have, however, been forced to carry everything I own many kilometers to get to the event.

History does not lie. In WWII, just like today, the soldiers KNEW they were going into combat. They could have trained anyway they wanted to, yet those chose to do as described by Colonel Darby. Wonder why?

I have known poster children that could run like striped-assed Gazelles, yet the green tick and the ballistic vest is the great equalizer. I have known men that could barely break an 8 minute mile, yet they could put your house on their backs and walk to China without a break. Of course I have also known men that could run like the wind and ruck like Atlas.

Had a Team Sergeant once. Silver Star in Vietnam. Refused to run for PT. I asked him why.

"Ever been in combat?"

"No Team Sergeant."

"You don't run much in PF Flyers and catch me hose me shorts. Man runs in combat other than to attack or get to cover is one of two things. If he runs towards it he is a fool, if he runs away from it he is a coward. Roger?"

"Roger Team Sergeant."

"Good, now go get your ruck, we're going to walk for a couple of days."

Of course he could have been wrong...