THE GAMBIA ARMED FORCES TRAINING SCHOOL CONDUCTS COMBAT FITNESS TEST (CFT)

National Training

The Gambia Armed Forces Training School (GAFTS) being the factory for production of gallant officers and soldiers for GAF conducted their annual Combat Fitness Test (CFT). CFT is a form of test/examination each individual officer/soldier must undergo annually after crossing his/her Basic Fitness Test (BFT). 

This annual mandatory test is conducted in accordance with the Chief of Defence  Staff’s  Training Directives. It is done to assess the physical strength, agility, endurance and combat fitness of every serving member of GAF in the Khaki uniform. Passing this test shows the individual’s preparedness to shoulder any military activities he/she may be tasked to do. 

However, a precursor to this is a Basic Fitness Test (BFT) which involves running without carrying any gears  for a total distance of 5km; 2.5km out & 2.5km back to start point. The 2.5km run back to the start point is timed within 10minutes for personnel from below 25 years of age. The timings allowed for passing the fitness test however varies in terms of age and gender. The running is one aspect of the BFT; Push-ups, Squats, Chin-ups and other physical exercises are also tested to assess the physical fitness of the Officer/Soldier of GAF.  

Unlike BFT, CFT is a 12km run ( 6km out/6km back) carrying individual rifles and a haversack weighing up to 15kg on the individual‘s back.  The Participating troops in Full Combat Order would run and route-march for the 12km with timings ranging from 1-1½hr depending on the unit conducting the Exercise.

Following the completion of BFT and CFT by the GAFTS, they are now poised to role out to the other units of GAF in order to supervise the same exercise tests of those units.