Physical Fitness Assessment (BCA)

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XBulldog

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Can anyone shed some light on what was included in the Physical Fitness Assessment (BCA) that was recently conducted for all classes at KP? Also what is the Ironman classification and how does a mid reach that designation? Is it an expected level among mids or are there other minimum standards? Thanks for the clarifications.
 
The PFA has three events: push-ups, sit-ups and a 1.5 mile run. Push-ups and sit-ups are scored by the number completed within 2 minutes. Each event has a minimum to pass. There is also a max score that earns 100 points. A perfect score for the test would be 300 points. I believe that Ironman designation requires a score of 285. I may be off a bit there. It is not an expected minimum but a real achievement. I don't know off hand what the required numbers are.
 
Thanks KPMum. Maybe you could help me with a couple more questions. I know that the academy admits a lot of very athletic students each year. Do you happen to know the average percentile of mids who reach Ironman status and are these assessments continued throughout the year? I assume that they're required to pass the BCA at least once a year.
 
I don't know how many mids reach Ironman status. I know that when our DD did last Winter tri it was a big deal, with friends and company mates tracking her status through each event and scrambling to do the math to figure her score. (She'd injured her Achilles tendon during cross country season and was more interested in finding some ice after the run.) The PFA is administered 3 times a year, early in each tri.

-Edit- I may have some specifics a bit wrong here, since I'm dealing with second hand info from a DD who is not the most communicative mid at KP. I'm hoping one of our trusty mids on the board will chime in with accurate specifics.
 
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BCA/PRT

Seems to be some confusion here .... BCA refers to Body Fat
. BODY COMPOSITION ASSESSMENT which is assessed by weight and height screening, and body fat percentage The Push-up, Sit-Up,Run test is the PRT - PHYSICAL READINESS TEST which has different minimums which vary by sex and age.
 
Oops, you're right. I totally ignored the acronym BCA and went with PFA, which is the term used on the USMMA web site, responding to the words used by the OP.
 
Ironman

Oh, okay. I just took the two terms from the Regimental calendar and assumed that BCA was a military term for the fitness test. So the body fat content must also be assessed at that time? What's the high BFA allowed and is there a minimum allowance of body fat?
 
Body Fat

No minimum ... Academy body fat standards are 22% for males and 33% for females ... Reference:"Logging in" Instructions .. page 26
 
BCA is a biggie. The Mids have to be within the limits allowed and required for a commission in the military. If they are not, then they don't graduate. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
 
The PFA

The term that the Academy uses is PFA or Physical Fitness Assessment, which is the entire test. The PFA is broken up into the BCA (Body Composition Assessment) and the PRT (Physical Readiness Test), which are administered twice a year now, not once every trimester. The BCA merely measures your height and weight and sees if you fall into under the maximum weight for your height. The minimums for the PRT are: push ups, 51; sit ups, 62; 1.5 mile run, 11:00 minutes. Also added on to the PRT is the sit and reach, where you just have to touch your toes. I took the PRT section this morning with the rest of the Class of 2013 and it feels good to pass and not have to be put on PEP for the rest of the trimester. :)
 
And.... From the USMMA.edu site:

Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA): This consists of a series of strength and endurance events to measure an individual’s physical fitness in relation to their age and gender. The three events are curl-ups, push-ups, a 1.5 mile run/walk or 500 yard swim. During the academic year, there are three or more scheduled PFAs administered to the Regiment.
 
While watching a noticeable amount of the students walk by the stalker cams it appears too many are too fat.

What exactly are they feeding them in the dining facility?

Let's make it easier for them to do the right thing and maintain standards.

Proper exercise keeps you fit. Proper nutrition keeps you lean.

Congratulations to them all for their preparation and efforts on this test.
 
food

Understand from several pc's that they call chow death by Delano. Way too many bufflao wings and unrecognizable totally unedible food so they are living on the likes of power and cliff bars. While these bars have some decent nutritional value a steady diet will pack the pounds on for anyone-even very active kids. Seems that the chow is sadly lacking and somehow they're finding other things to eat which may account for some less than healthy looking physiques you've observed on the "stalker" cams. Congrats to all the pc's that passed the PRT this morning!
 
I haven't heard anything negative about the food from my plebe except for the absence of snacks and having to wait until 11 a.m. to eat on Sundays. In fact I've heard a lot of good things about the food this year from other parents of plebes. True, I too send him energy bars for "between meals" but my already lean son has lost six pounds since starting indoc and claims to be eating plenty. Don't they have a salad bar with their lunch and dinner?
 
Ditto... Our son has not complained about the food at all and says there are plenty of choices at each meal. And he is a notoriously picky eater.
 
Ok to comment on the last few posts. The food is not bad here. Honestly, if you think the food is bad here, then you should come to my high school because it was tons worse. There are several options every meal. Yes, the food is not high quality, top of the line brands, but its still decently good. If you don't like it, then have your parents send powerbars and stack up on those.

Regarding the fat kids. Its not delano, its because most of those kids went on sick chit right when they got here. However, its not always their fault. Patten will hold kids through Indoc for the smallest of things. I did not know anyone that lost or gained a significant amount during Indoc.

No one should be worried about the PFA either. We have done several practice tests and were trained well during Indoc where, everyone should be able to pass. I had no problem scoring a 285 and getting Ironman and I'm no "PT stud".
 
So, how much trouble are the P/C's in that managed to NOT pass one of the minimums? PEP wil be prescribed, but is that something where the candidate is given X amount of time to make the minimums or go home?

Our guy knows several that passed three of the four minimums,but, came up short on one ....mostly the run. Now they have PEP.......for the entire remainder of the Trimester? Till they improve? I understand that there really has not been much physical activity for the P/C's not in a varsity sport since the first couple weeks of INDOC.....and some of those P/C's found themselves in Patton for over a week and just got out the week classes started....... So now they need to get back up to speed ........

Am a wrong? Is there any scheduled phyisical exercise, or is each person on their own now? (except of course the new PEP Squad!)
 
Hang out with marine ops !!

I believe the mids that need to improve their 1.5 mile time can join in with the marine ops mids. I think the have a unit run most mornings at 0530 or something close to that. If that doesn't work hit the the track at tomb field.
 
Marine Ops rocks! There are some great mids there, and the leadership is excellent.
Who knows, maybe they'll be Gung Ho enough to do the Alumni Run in combat boots! Some did :)
 
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