Army physical readiness is defined as the ability to meet the physical demands of any combat or duty position, accomplish the mission, and continue to fight and win.
The goal of the Army Physical Fitness Training Program is to develop Soldiers who are physically capable and ready to perform their duty assignments or combat roles. To reach this goal, leaders use the PRT System to aim first at developing strength, endurance, and mobility. Soldiers must be able to perform required duties and sustain activity during full spectrum operations. Soldiers trained through PRT demonstrate the mobility to apply strength and endurance to the performance of basic military skills such as marching, speed running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, crawling, combatives, and water survival. These skills are essential to personal safety and effective Soldier performance—not only in training, but also, and more importantly, during combat operations.
Physical fitness and health form the basis of physical readiness. Physical readiness is in turn essential to combat readiness. Physical readiness training prepares Soldiers and units physically to be successful in the conduct of full spectrum operations. Secondary goals of PRT are to instill confidence and the will to win; develop teamwork and unit cohesion; and integrate aggressiveness, resourcefulness, and resilience. The PRT System brings Soldiers to a state of physical readiness through a systematic program of drills and activities specifically designed to enhance performance of WTBDs. Army PRT seeks to attain the development of all Soldiers’ physical attributes to the fullest extent of their given potential. This will instill confidence in their ability to perform their duties under all circumstances.