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Scottish reservists prove high fitness levels passing new test in abundance
11 October 2024
Seventy-one Naval reservists north of the border have already passed the RN’s new physical fitness assessment – just four weeks after it was introduced.
The Physical Employment Standard was only brought in on September 2nd, replacing the long-standing RN fitness test to better reflect the demands made of today’s sailors and their bodies both at sea and ashore around the globe.
Thanks to the drive of CPO(PT) Richard Collins – and not a little effort from the reservists themselves – some 71 personnel from HMS Dalriada (Glasgow) and Scotia (Rosyth) have already attained the PES.
RNR Scotland have fully embraced PES and seeing so many people complete it in short order is great, while challenging individuals with new physical tasks which they have not been used to.
The test comprises seven gym-based exercises, which must be completed within 15 minutes.
- A kettlebell carry – carry two 20kg kettlebells over a distance of 60m
- 20kg lift – move 20kg from a 18” box to a 48” box twenty times
- 40kg deadlift – lift 40kg twelve times
- 60kg rope pull – drag 60kg over a distance of 6m
The sailor then wears a 20kg weighted vest to represent firefighting equipment for the final three exercises.
- Kneel/stands – complete 12 kneel/stands whilst holding a 7.5kg dumbbell
- Drag 80kg ‘casualty’ – drag a simulated 80kg casualty a distance of 15m
- A kettlebell carry – carry two 20kg kettlebells over a distance of 60m
“RNR Scotland have fully embraced PES and seeing so many people complete it in short order is great, while challenging individuals with new physical tasks which they have not been used to,” said CPO Collins, who’s a member of the permanent staff with RNR Scotland.