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Oh, yeah, jarhead?

Men's Fitness, Oct, 2003 by Ronald Chiasson

In response to Woody Whitlock's letter [Letters, August], I would like to say he is a typical Marine. Always putting the Army and other branches down, saying the Marines are the toughest. But if he's going to say a few things about the Army, he needs to get his facts straight.

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I've been in the Army for 10 years and have yet to see a 1 1/2-mile run. The Army physical-fitness test consists of a two-mile run, push-ups and sit-ups. Mr. Whitlock stated that a 27- to 31-year-old male would only have to do five push-ups, 21 sit-ups and run 1 1/2 miles in 22:30. I don't know what Web site he went on, but it wasn't for the U.S. Army. Here are the real numbers: At a minimum, to pass an Army physical-fitness test, a 27- to 31-year-old male must complete 39 push-ups, 45 sit-ups and run two miles in 17 minutes ... again, that is two miles, not 1 1/2. Now, just like with the Marines, doing the minimum is not a smart choice. You should always strive to do your best. If you do just what is required, you'll never go far in today's military. But that is true of almost every job. The people who put forth that extra effort usually get up the ladder faster.

So next time Mr. Whitlock wants to say the Marines are better than the Army, do more research before you get shut down like most Marines do when they try to battle wits with muscle.

RONALD CHIASSON,

SOUTH HADLEY, MA

Oh, yeah, jarhead?

Men's Fitness, Oct, 2003 by Ronald Chiasson

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