Defence Force Personnel participate in Annual Base Fitness Test

01Oct

Defence Force Personnel participate in Annual Base Fitness Test

Coral Harbour Base, 30 SEPT. ‘18 (RBDF): In its ongoing effort to ensure all Officers and Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force maintain highest levels of fitness standards, members of the Defence Force recently completed their annual physical fitness test that was held over a three-week period.

All Officers and Marines are required to complete a set amount of push-ups, sit-ups, and pull ups, followed by a timed 1.5-mile run, a 300-meter swim, treading water for three minutes, and a 12-foot dive to retrieve an object from the seabed.

Many RBDF men and women push themselves to the limit, and feel a great sense of pride when they ‘make the 400 Club’–an exclusive Club for those members who achieve 100-percent scores in all categories of their fitness test, in addition to successfully completing the swim and dive segments.

The Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel, who made the 400 Club, stated, “Life in a military Force that provides support for almost 20 government and nongovernment agencies can be very demanding. Our men and women serve in all environments–on land, at sea, in the air, and even under water as military divers. It is therefore important for our hard working members to remain fit at all levels–from Commander Defence Force to Marine Seaman–in securing our borders; this Annual program helps us to accomplish this objective.”

He also commended the Officers and Marines, who gave the exercise their best, and expressed appreciation for the outstanding work done by the Training Officer (Acting), Senior Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux, the Director of the RBDF Fitness Training School, Chief Petty Officer James Darling, the Training Instructors and staff in coordinating the entire event for over 1400 people.

The Director and Chief Instructor for the Fitness Training School, Chief Petty Officer James Darling, was pleased with the performances from start to finish.

“With the Defence Force being the first line of defence for the country, it is imperative that we be prepared both mentally and physically. All of the participants gave a great effort where pride and comraderie was evident”, said Chief Petty Officer Darling, who also noted that “Commodore Bethel was one of the first persons to complete the 1.5 mile run. So as a member of the Defence Force, all individuals are expected to participate in the exercise”.

The Base Fitness Exam commenced on September 10, and concludes October 1, 2018.

(RBDF Photos by Marine Seaman Michael Turner)

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