Marine Corps PFT Standards

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is a very demanding branch of the military that requires efficiency both on land and in the sea.

As a result, the physical fitness requirements of the U.S. Marines are intense.

The Marine Corps has physical fitness test (PFT) standards that you are required to meet upon arrival at basic training, as well as each year after becoming a Marine.

In this article, you will learn about the physical requirements based on gender and age.

Related Article – USMC PFT/CFT Calculator

Jump To A Standard

Male PFT Standards	Female PFT Standards
Ages 17-20 Ages 21-25 Ages 26-30 Ages 31-35 Ages 36-40	Ages 17-20 Ages 21-25 Ages 26-30 Ages 31-35 Ages 36-40

Marine Corps Male PFT Standards

The U.S. Marines have frequently been updating their PFT standards over the course of the last five years.

The PFT test involves three events: pull-ups or push-ups (your choice), the plank, and a three-mile run.

In order to prepare for the initial Marines PFT standards, we recommend training and attempting to meet the following conditions based on your age group.

Please note that you need to get a score of at least 40 points in each category.

It is considered the bare minimum for being allowed to continue training for the U.S. Marines.

A new addition to the PFT is the change to a plank instead of sit-ups. Not long ago, you could choose which one to perform, but the Marines have decided that the plank is part of their testing metric. 

The high altitude run point system is adjusted only for those units conducting the 3-mile run at or above 4,500 ft mean sea level.

The 5,000m row is an optional alternative to the 3-mile run if the Marine is 46 years of age or older. The rowing event is also available to other age groups if the Marine is postpartum or has an injury. Approval to choose the rowing event for age groups less than 46 years is given by the Commanding officer.

One last thing to note is the push-up or pull-up test. Marines are encouraged to choose pull-ups over push-ups as it’s a better field test of upper body strength. The max amount of points a Marine can get with push-ups is 70, whereas a Marine has the possibility of getting the complete max of 100 points with pull-ups.

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Marines PFT Standards – Male (Ages 17-20)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	20	N/A	3:45	18:00	19:30	18:00
90	17	N/A	3:20	19:40	21:10	18:55
75	13	65	2:41	22:00	23:30	20:15
60	10	59	2:02	24:30	26:00	21:40
50	7	55	1:36	26:00	27:30	22:35
40	4	42	1:10	27:40	29:10	23:30

Marines PFT Standards – Male (Ages 21-25)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	23	N/A	3:45	18:00	19:30	18:15
90	20	N/A	3:20	19:40	21:10	19:10
75	16	64	2:38	22:00	23:30	20:35
60	11	53	2:02	24:30	26:00	22:00
50	8	46	1:36	26:00	27:30	22:55
40	5	40	1:10	27:40	29:10	23:50

Marines PFT Standards – Male (Ages 26-30)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	23	N/A	3:45	18:00	19:30	18:30
90	20	N/A	3:20	19:40	21:10	19:25
75	16	65	2:41	22:10	23:40	20:50
60	11	54	2:02	24:40	26:10	22:15
50	8	47	1:36	26:20	27:50	23:15
40	5	39	1:10	28:00	29:30	24:10

Marines PFT Standards – Male (Ages 31-35)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	23	N/A	3:45	18:00	19:30	18:45
90	20	N/A	3:20	19:40	21:10	19:40
75	16	67	2:41	22:20	23:50	21:10
60	11	56	2:02	24:50	26:20	22:35
50	8	50	1:36	26:40	28:10	23:30
40	5	43	1:10	28:20	29:50	24:30

Marines PFT Standards – Male (Ages 36-40)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	21	N/A	3:45	18:00	19:30	19:00
90	19	N/A	3:20	19:50	21:20	20:00
75	15	N/A	2:41	22:30	24:00	21:25
60	11	62	2:02	25:10	26:40	22:55
50	8	48	1:36	26:50	28:20	23:50
40	5	34	1:10	28:40	30:10	24:50

Marine Corps Female PFT Standards

Women are often overlooked in their role with the U.S. Marines.

Though they represent the smallest collection of females in any military branch, 6.5% of Marines are women. 

The PFT standards for female Marines are also divided based on age group.

Once again, women are tested in pull-ups or push-ups, the plank, and the three-mile run.

As it is for the men, the rowing event is an optional alternative for Marines aged 46 or older or if the Marine is postpartum or injured. If the Marine is younger than 46, approval is required from the Commanding officer.

The three-mile run is also adjusted if the Marine has to test at a high altitude at or above 4,500 ft mean sea level.

Related Article:  Marine Corps Height And Weight Standards

Marines PFT Standards – Female (Ages 17-20)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	7	N/A	3:45	21:00	22:30	21:00
90	6	N/A	3:20	22:40	24:10	21:55
75	4	N/A	2:41	25:10	26:40	23:20
60	1	34	2:02	27:30	29:00	24:40
50	N/A	27	1:36	29:10	30:40	25:35
40	N/A	19	1:10	30:50	32:20	26:30

Marines PFT Standards – Female (Ages 21-25)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	11	N/A	3:45	21:00	22:30	21:15
90	9	N/A	3:20	22:40	24:10	22:10
75	6	N/A	2:41	25:10	26:40	23:35
60	3	38	2:02	27:30	29:00	25:00
50	N/A	28	1:36	29:10	30:40	25:55
40	N/A	18	1:10	30:50	32:20	26:50

Marines PFT Standards – Female (Ages 26-30)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	12	N/A	3:45	21:00	22:30	21:30
90	10	N/A	3:20	22:40	24:10	22:25
75	7	N/A	2:41	25:10	26:40	23:50
60	4	39	2:02	27:50	29:20	25:15
50	N/A	29	1:36	29:30	31:00	26:15
40	N/A	18	1:10	31:10	32:40	27:10

Marines PFT Standards – Female (Ages 31-35)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	11	N/A	3:45	21:00	22:30	21:45
90	9	N/A	3:20	22:50	24:20	22:45
75	6	N/A	2:41	25:20	26:50	24:10
60	3	36	2:02	28:00	29:30	25:35
50	N/A	26	1:36	29:50	31:20	26:35
40	N/A	16	1:10	31:30	33:00	27:30

Marines PFT Standards – Female (Ages 36-40)

Points	Pull-Ups	Push-Ups	Plank	3-Mile Run	High Altitude Run	Rowing
100	10	N/A	3:45	21:00	22:30	22:00
90	8	N/A	3:20	22:50	24:20	23:00
75	6	N/A	2:41	25:30	27:00	24:25
60	3	33	2:02	28:10	29:40	25:55
50	N/A	24	1:36	30:00	31:30	26:50
40	N/A	14	1:10	31:50	33:20	27:50

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FAQ – Marine Corps PFT Standards

The Marine Corps has been adjusting its PFT standards since 2015. The Marines recently updated their age brackets and exercises.

The changes imposed tougher maximum scores and higher minimum standards.

The new changes have also introduced the option between deciding to test for push-ups or pull-ups.

However, if you do decide to do push-ups, you won’t receive the highest scores like you would with pull-ups.

Additionally, the U.S. Marines have completely replaced crunches with the plank pose. The standards for the plank are the same for all ages and genders. 

 

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How is the Marine Corps PFT conducted?

The Marine Corps physical fitness test consists of three events. All of the events are conducted in a single session.

However, you are given up to two hours to complete all three activities.

First, Marines have the option of testing for pull-ups or push-ups.

Please make sure that you understand the Marine Corps PFT standards for both activities based on gender and age group.

You must get a minimum score of 40.

Secondly, Marines must complete a plank and hold it for the maximum time to score high.

Once again, the goal is to obtain a score of at least 40.

An even higher score is preferred.

Third, new recruits, as well as existing Marines, are challenged to complete a three-mile run in the designated time slots in order to earn the grade.

Once again there are maximum and minimum Marine Corps PFT standards for reference.

The only authorized uniform for the PFT is the green-on-green T-shirt and shorts. The Marine can wear the athletic shoes of their choice. 

Additionally, make sure to bring plenty of water and stretch between exercises in order to remain warmed up and ready for the next activity.

What are the U.S. Marine Corps CFT standards?

Every calendar year, Marines are required to complete two different physical fitness tests.

One is the aforementioned PFT standards, which we went over in great detail for the purpose of this article.

The second series of activities are grouped in the Combat Fitness Test (CFT). CFT is divided into three categories of testing.

It includes an 880-yard run, ammo-can lifts, and maneuver under fire exercise.

The Combat Fitness Test is more demanding compared to the PFT and requires the use of military items also used in training and combat.

Like the PFT, the Marines recently updated CFT scores to make it more challenging to reach maximum points.

What is the Marines’ IST?

The Initial Strength Test (IST) is completed upon arrival at boot camp.

It is technically different from the PFT since the minimum standards are not the same.

It consists of pull-ups or push-ups, a plank pose, and a 1.5-mile timed run.

As you probably noticed the distance of the run is doubled once you progress to PFT standards.

How do Marine Corps PFT standards compare to similar tests with other branches of the military?

All branches of the U.S. Military have basic physical fitness standards based on gender and age.

However, Marine Corps PFT standards are considered more demanding compared to the Army and Navy.

For example, the timed run is double the distance of the Navy.

The Air Force PT standards have both a 1.5-mile and 20-meter multi-shuttle run (HAMR).

However, the Marines are unique in that they give new recruits and members tested annually the option of completing pull-ups or push-ups.

Conclusion

Marine Corps PFT standards are designed by the branch of the military to determine your physical fitness readiness.

The goal is to get a score of at least 40 points in each activity in order to remain in good standing with the Marines.

A rowing event and high altitude three-mile run are completed later on in basic training.

For now, the objective is to get satisfactory scores in pull-ups or push-ups, planks, and a regular three-mile long-distance run.

Check out the physical fitness testing requirements for the other military branches below:

Army APFT Standards

Navy PRT Standards

Air Force PT Test Standards

Coast Guard PT Test Standards

Resources:

1. https://www.fitness.marines.mil/PFT-CFT_Standards17/
2. https://www.military.com/military-fitness/marine-corps-fitness-requirements/usmc-pft-charts
3. https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/MCO%206100.13A.pdf

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