1/02/2014

Strength standards for male Marines lowered dramatically so that women can perform tasks, but half of female recruits still fail pull-up test

So what is the danger of lower male strength tests so that only 3 pull-ups need to be done.  3 pull-ups?  Someone with that little upper body strength is going to be able to scale a wall?  This is someone that you want to depend on in combat?  From the Associated Press:
WASHINGTON (AP) - More than half of female Marines in boot camp can't do three pullups, the minimum standard that was supposed to take effect with the new year, prompting the Marine Corps to delay the requirement, part of the process of equalizing physical standards to integrate women into combat jobs. 
The delay rekindled sharp debate in the military on the question of whether women have the physical strength for some military jobs, as service branches move toward opening thousands of combat roles to them in 2016. 
Although no new timetable has been set on the delayed physical requirement, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos wants training officials to "continue to gather data and ensure that female Marines are provided with the best opportunity to succeed," Capt. Maureen Krebs, a Marine spokeswoman, said Thursday. 
Starting with the new year, all female Marines were supposed to be able to do at least three pullups on their annual physical fitness test and eight for a perfect score. The requirement was tested in 2013 on female recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., but only 45 percent of women met the minimum, Krebs said. 
The Marines had hoped to institute the pullups on the belief that pullups require the muscular strength necessary to perform common military tasks such as scaling a wall, climbing up a rope or lifting and carrying heavy munitions. . . .

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1 Comments:

Blogger kotetu said...

John, you're such a meanie.

I for one am glad about this. In fact, I think the NBA should follow suit, and reduce the NBA to 50% of the WNBA standard and then merge the two leagues. Also, there's quite an unfair advantage for younger players, so I think they should focus on hiring over 40 y/o and implement a 5 steps rule - you can only walk five steps while dribbling, and no running!

Fun for everyone.

1/03/2014 1:38 AM  

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