MARPAC leadership out in full force

About 15 members of the Senior Command team familiarized themselves with the New Force Fitness test last Monday at the Naden Athletic Centre. CPO1 Paul Helston, Capt (N) Bob Auchterlonie, and Capt (N) Mike Knippel in prone position awaiting the start of the intermittent shuttle run.

Last Monday morning, 15 senior leaders, including RAdm Bill Truelove, donned their PT attire and trialed components of the new FORCE Fitness Evaluation at the Naden Athletic Centre.

With stopwatches in hand, Personnel Support Programs fitness instructors coached and timed them on all four components of the FORCE evaluation.

“It’s demanding and reflective of the challenges one could face in any element we encounter in the Canadian Forces,” said RAdm Truelove, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific. “It will be great to see the Formation rise to this new challenge. I found it used different muscle groups and interesting techniques with rushes and lots of lower body strength. Well done to the PSP staff for rolling it out. It’s nice to be here today with senior leadership doing this test.”

The evaluation has four components including a sandbag lift (30 lifts in three minutes and 30 seconds or less), intermittent loaded shuttles (five loaded and five unloaded in five minutes and 21 seconds or less), 20 metre rushes (dropping to the prone position every 10 metre and completed in 51 seconds or less) and the sandbag drag (continuous test with no time frame).

Between each component there is a five minute rest and typically the test must be completed in the order noted above; however, members may start at any point.

“Today we had quite a range of age, demographics, and fitness levels and everybody made it,” said Base Commander, Capt (N) Bob Auchterlonie. “The common task approach is great. I think all the folks in the defence team will be pleased with it.”

MARPAC Chief of Staff, Capt(N) Mike Knippel also liked it.

“It’s more about short bursts than prolonged shuttle runs. I found the prone position running was a challenge. I did it in two seconds under the required challenge time. Dragging the weight was easy for me as I am 240 pounds, but a 110 pound person must drag the same weight. That said, I think it is doable for them as well, and it was nice to take part in this today with senior leadership.”

Military members are welcome to try the Force evaluation in order to familiarize themselves – opportunities are Monday and Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. on a drop in basis.  The Force Evaluation officially began as the new method of testing May 1. PSP fitness instructors said the feedback from those who have taken the test has been very positive.

Shelley Lipke
Staff Writer