What is one of the key components of completing the CFT successfully?

To successfully complete the Combat Fitness Test (CFT), physical fitness and conditioning are critical components. The CFT is designed to assess a Marine's overall physical readiness, which includes their strength, endurance, and ability to perform essential tasks that are relevant in combat situations.

Physical fitness entails a combination of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and agility, all of which are evaluated through various exercises included in the CFT, such as the movement to contact, ammunition can lifts, and the mile-and-a-half run. Conditioning prepares Marines for the physical demands they face in the field, ensuring they can execute their duties effectively and maintain operational effectiveness.

Training and preparing for the CFT must focus on building these fundamental physical capabilities. While understanding tactics and previous combat experience are important in a broader military context, they do not directly impact a Marine's ability to pass the physical components of the CFT. Advanced equipment is also not a requirement for this test; rather, individual physical fitness and conditioning are the primary factors for success.