This week I wanted to talk about physical fitness and establishing a standard for your team. In my state the Basic SWAT school is a requirement for most SWAT teams. On the first day of school the guys are put through the test and if they fail they are sent home. Successful completion means you get to stay for the rest of the week.
During the time I taught at that school I would often ask those who failed what they were doing for PT. Invariably I would hear that they had been sick or injured recently, they didn't sleep well, etc. I would press them and ask again, "What have you been doing for PT?". Most would say that they were running, doing pushups and so forth. The test consists of a run, pushups, situps and pullups. In other words, training for the test. No surprise, their teams did not have a PT standard.
I would ask the same thing of the studs that would crush the test. Without hesitation they would be able to tell you exactly what they had been doing. Their teams did have a physical standard but they would usually say that it was too easy or that it did not measure what they felt was important.
What's the point? The point is that PT is important. We all say it, we all know it but do we all do it? I do believe that SWAT teams should have a physical fitness standard that all members must meet. This is the baseline that allows everyone on the team to know each others minimum level. Like firearms, the standard is a minimum that all must pass on a continuing basis. The presence of a standard may make some less motivated guys get off their ass on a cold morning and go for a run. The test should be hard enough that guys must do something throughout the year. In other words they shouldn't be able to lay off the beer a week prior and breeze through.
On the opposite end, I don't believe that the standard should be so difficult that senior guys or guys that have a different outlook than me on training have to change their regimen. I know a dude who falls into that rare category of "Large Human". This guy can deadlift a school bus, he works out with very heavy things and is obviously dedicated and disciplined to what he does. He has never faltered on a mission. How effective do you think he is at running long distances? Conversely, a guy that can run five minute miles all day is probably not gonna be as effective at operating heavy tools or moving things as the first guy. Both guys need to have a level of fitness that allows them to be effective during the teams missions. Neither should be penalized by a test that prohibits them from being on the team.
I don't have a hard and fast recommendation on what a test should be. I will say that you should have something that guys have to pass in order to remain in good standing. Just like with firearms, this is the MINIMUM required. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking time out of your training day to administer a gut check or team building exercise that pushes guys past what the minimum standard is. They are fun to do and the guys will usually have a good time with them. Be creative, challenge the whole group, set it up so that big & strong are as valuable as light and fast. Just like on a mission, each member brings strengths and weakness, these team builders should showcase each guys assets, and their weaknesses.
This has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not you are on a full time team or a part time one. If your team only trains 8 hours a month or 80. Ultimately the responsibility lies with each guy to maintain their own fitness. If you are making excuses, then you are a wannabe. Plain and simple, cut & dry, end of the story. I know guys who have been leaders in PT into their 50's, they recognized it's importance and simply got it done without excuses. Just do it. If you have let your PT fall behind, logoff right now and go do something. Make it be a part of your daily routine, schedule it by WRITING it down, tell someone what you are going to do the next day for PT and have them ask you if you completed it. Go do it.
"If you cannot do what I can do, you cannot go where I can go" Unknown
