Battle physical efficiency test now the norm
Wednesday, November 22, 2006

A platoon completes seven weeks of training marches during a battle physical efficiency test, eight km west of Brandon, Manitoba.

SHILO, Manitoba — For soldiers with a little time under their belt, a battle physical efficiency test is no cause for alarm. But, for a new soldier slogging down the road, it can be an eye-opener.

It's late October and winter is closing in on Manitoba as soldier qualification course #0268 nears the end of training. With only a week to go, the candidates are bussed 13 kilometres west of Brandon to the starting point of their test. For many it will be their first and there is quiet apprehension in the air.

"In addition to the need for combat arms soldiers to complete a battle physical efficiency test yearly, anyone who deploys to Afghanistan, regardless of trade, will also be required to complete one before deploying," states Captain Lonnie Goodfellow, the course officer.

After a good stretch and a bit of a warm-up, the troops hit the road, and a look of shock comes quickly over more than a few faces. The pace from the start is brisk, but manageable. For some, with no experience to compare to the march, there is uncertainty as to whether they will be able to maintain the pace.

Candidates and staff of the soldier qualification course at Shilo during the 13 km battle physical efficiency test.

After several kilometres, the pace slows a little, the ground levels, and the platoon is favoured by a stiff tailwind. By now, any feeling of uncertainty is gone and most of the troops know they will make it, assuming they don't have too many problems with blisters.

After a short break at the midway point, the course is back on the road and, with a town in sight, there is a sense of relief. Passing cars honk horns and passengers wave to show their support for the troops. For most of the troops, this is the first time they have experienced this reaction from the public and it gives them a renewed sense of pride in what they are doing.

Recruit Sean Blythe found the march less challenging than expected. "I just looked around and kept my mind off what was going on, let my mind wander, and every time I looked at my watch another 20 or 40 minutes had gone by," he acknowledges.

"I'm just excited to get this done; it's one of the last things before the course is over," he concludes.

Pushing through town, the platoon finished within the time limit and, more importantly, there were no stragglers. The fireman's carry inside the local armoury completed the test. Then the boots started coming off. By the time lunch was over, the sore feet were becoming apparent, and the tell tale walk of a recently completed battle physical efficiency test was spreading in the platoon.

The platoon demonstrated its strength by a solid finish and no complaining. Blisters will heal in a few days, candidates will disperse by the end of the week and follow different career paths, but all will take away some enduring memories of Shilo.

Article and photos by Sgt Dennis Power