When do I take my first PT test in the Marines?

Question

I leave for boot camp in about a month (Sept 8) and I am hearing mixed answers on when I will take my first PT test. Some people tell me its one of the first things I do in boot camp and some people tell me I dont take it until 3 weeks into boot camp. I heard that I will take it more then once in boot camp. Is that true? If so how many times and when. besides boot camp I heard I had to take the PT test 2 times every year. I just wanted to see if a few questions could get cleared up its too late at night to bug my recruiter.

Answer 1

Sep 8, NO S**T, me to bro. Our first IST is about 1 week in after all the paper work and what not. It is one of the first physical things we will do. Parris Island or San Diego?

Answer 2

You do not take a PFT in the first week, that is for sure.

You take a IST to see if you are prepared to go to your platoon for training. An IST is not a PFT..It would be unfair to have you take a PFT since you have just arrived. You need to get into their shape before you test.

Yes you do more then one in boot camp..

In the Marine Corps once at your unit you do 2 official ones which go on your record for promotions..but many times you do PFT's as PT..Different units PT differently..We use to do a PFT every month if not more..

Answer 3

Okay the first test is the IST which consist of a 1.5 mile run, crunches and pull ups. This is taken within roughly 5-6 days into boot camp (receiving.) When you pass, you'll be placed in a platoon and Company. The PFT (same as IST except it has a 3 mile run) was taken into about the 3rd training week of boot camp when I was in about 2 yrs ago. We had 4-5 practice PFTs before a final one. This is for boot camp. For my reserve unit we conduct our PFT once every year.