CPFT explained!

Alright folks, for all those who've been asking and wondering what on earth is the CPFT im talking about, here's a photo aided description of it! (pictures courtesy of the 84th BFSC!)

First, a brief introduction on the CPFT. CPFT is short for Combat Physical Fitness Test. If im not mistaken, only the PTIs are required to do the CPFT. Other units like the commandos do swimming with dummy rifle and number 4 as well but no running and SOC after that. Initially, CPFT in the past did not require swimming, instead, a rugged and mountainous terrain run made up the initial part of the CPFT. But now, it's a 200m swim with a compact jump. Alright, let's see some pictures! The pics are a lil big so if you want a full view, click on them.

CPFT!

For the initial part of the CPFT, participants gather inside the pool and await the flagging off by the conducting officer or PTI. A 200m swim in number 4 uniform ( for the naive ones, number 4 refers to the green camo uniform. No, bathing ape camo is NOT number 4, 5 or fuckyourmother. )with our dummy rifles slung around us, followed by a 3 metre compact jump off the platform after 150m. After hitting the water, we swim off on our last lap.

Swimming in Number 4 and Dummy Rifle... trust me, it's no easy feat! recently, a commando officer drowned while doing this...

The Compact Jump

PLOP! goes that weasel!

After reaching completing the 200m swim, we emerge from the water(often just rolling out), panting and dragging ourselves to our equipment area where we gear up and prepare for our initial 1.5km run.

Out the pool... you'll wonder why on earth you're doing this...

Gear up soldier! The battle's just began!

So upon hastily gearing up ( mind you, u're soaking wet and its tideous and frustrating... you'd rather be home watching re-runs of singapore idol... yes, that bad.), you begin the first of the never-ending runs, this one being the initial 1.5km run in full-battle order.

out the gate we go, rougly the 500 metre mark... 1km more to go...

at about 1.2 km, you run past the starting of the obstacle course only to u-turn slightly ahead. one of the most demoralising parts of CPFT, U-turning way ahead of where u're gonna head to next... kinda like ladies who try to keep ignoring me... haha!

The next battle begins right after the run. trust me, any time spent resting could break you. the task is simply presented : clear the 11 obstacles. Theres the low wall, the parallel bars, the step-up, the swing trainer, the low rope, the horizontal beam, the swinging bridge, the balancing beam, the gate, the jacob's ladder and lastly, the low ramp. clearing the obstacles with regular SBO (helmet, rifle, SBO, water bottle) is a piece of cake once you've done it with FBO. So here begins the ultimate physical test.

my buddy yap on the swing trainer. this and the low rope are the ultimate killers of CPFT. failure to complete all 11 obstacles will result in failure to complete CPFT... that would mean re-doing it ALL OVER AGAIN! as you can see, you may be able to negotiate the obstacles, but there's also the problem of over-crowding...

im wondering how i got up there. its like climbing the rope with moses lim hugging onto you... anyhows, PTI! (you shout that when you reach the top)

here's a tip, pick up your 5 cent coin later buddy, no time to waste.

So after you leap off the low ramp ( which isn't really low, its almost 2 metres...), you pick your exhausted body off the ground and carry on with the extremely mental 3.5km run... no pictures of the route but its half rugged, half road. i don't have to say much, you're almost beat after the 1.5km run and after the SOC, 3.5km in FBO requires a little insanity as a catalyst...

the last burst! the gruelling horror's finally coming to an end!

nothing describes the relief and exhaustion quite like this photo...

So there you have it, the whole description of CPFT. To all the aspiring PTIs out there, here's what's in store for you. To those who've made it, congratufuckinglations, im sure it'd be one of the fondest memories etched into your mind. it sure was one of mine. all that for our crossed-swords... worth it?

every ounce of sweat, buddy.

Comments

[Zach]

tofu.

[Xavier]

jin jin la ni, nian xiang siang jiao.

[viviane]

army, army, army,
thats all you
think, talk and write abt
these days.
sighs
heheh

[Xavier]

well we can talk about... the weather...

[Hoekeng]

good descriptions.. write more stories

[Xavier]

thanks, stay tuned bro.

[kian]

hahah u noob.. its combat jump.. u damn robots in the sky

[Keling]

nice writings man!the ladies know shit