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Joining the Officer Training Corps (OTC)
When I go to university in September 2009 I'm hoping to join the OTC. I've done research on the OTC and I've realised its something I really want to do.
But there is a snag at the moment. My fitness.
I'm working really hard to lose weight and get fitter but time is running out for September. I have been on the Wales Universities Officer Training Corps website and saw that there is a selection process. It does give detail of the selection process but not in depth enough.
The area that I want to find out more about is the physical tests. The website says:
Can anyone help to tell me more about what the tests are? If they are timed what are the time limits? I assume the upper body strength is to do with press-ups and sit-ups etc but again what are the requirements?
I'm sorry this sounds quite long winded but it is something I really want to do and any help would be very grateful.
Thanks
But there is a snag at the moment. My fitness.
I'm working really hard to lose weight and get fitter but time is running out for September. I have been on the Wales Universities Officer Training Corps website and saw that there is a selection process. It does give detail of the selection process but not in depth enough.
The area that I want to find out more about is the physical tests. The website says:
The tests will have a physical element, to determine your fitness and upper body strength.
Can anyone help to tell me more about what the tests are? If they are timed what are the time limits? I assume the upper body strength is to do with press-ups and sit-ups etc but again what are the requirements?
I'm sorry this sounds quite long winded but it is something I really want to do and any help would be very grateful.
Thanks
Scroll to see replies
I'd guess they might use the Multi Stage Fitness Test (MSFT) - have a search on here for the details, but it is the 'Bleep Test' (20 metre shuttle runs in case you've not done one before) followed by press ups and sit ups, both best effort in a minute.
Best bet would be to get in contact with the Wales University OTC and ask them what the requirements are. Then you'll know exactly where you stand
Thinking about it this far in advance will pretty much guarantee you're in at least a better frame of mind than anyone else for taking the fitness tests, the most important test, however, is one your peers will be unwittingly putting you through.
The immortal 'is-he-a-dick' test. Pass that, and you're fine.
The immortal 'is-he-a-dick' test. Pass that, and you're fine.
I was in the OTC in Sheffield. We went on a selection weekend at an army base. We just did an obstacle course and a 1.5 mile run; there wasn't much formal fitness assessment for us but you guys may be different
The standard you are supposed to be able to achieve before commencing any form of training with any TA unit (and an OTC is a TA unit) is the Risk Reduction Run. This is a 1.5 mile timed run which must be completed for male and females alike in not more than 14 minutes.
That is the test all OTCs are supposed to be using. They may add in some press ups and sit ups. If you put a bit of work in you can easily achieve this standard by October.
By the end of the first year you will be expected to pass an Army Fitness Test run in a max of 10.5 minutes for blokes - a bit more for girls. Then there is a number of press up and sit ups. However dont worry about that. If you join there will be lots of mates to train with.
At the end of the day entry to an OTC is competitive. The standard depends on how many apply and how good you are compared with the rest of the applicants. Some OTCs have signicantly more applicants than places, so you need to do your best and not just aim for the minimum standard.
A decent bit of background knowledge about the Army, an interest in an Army career, and being a good team player, will stand you well on the selection weekend.
That is the test all OTCs are supposed to be using. They may add in some press ups and sit ups. If you put a bit of work in you can easily achieve this standard by October.
By the end of the first year you will be expected to pass an Army Fitness Test run in a max of 10.5 minutes for blokes - a bit more for girls. Then there is a number of press up and sit ups. However dont worry about that. If you join there will be lots of mates to train with.
At the end of the day entry to an OTC is competitive. The standard depends on how many apply and how good you are compared with the rest of the applicants. Some OTCs have signicantly more applicants than places, so you need to do your best and not just aim for the minimum standard.
A decent bit of background knowledge about the Army, an interest in an Army career, and being a good team player, will stand you well on the selection weekend.
017495
Ok thanks for the replies. I sure am going to cain my fitness to get myself ready. Time to get of my arrse and get out and run!
When I joined the UOTC the fitness level in general including my own was appauling. And I mean appauling. Some people couldnt do 3 press ups, and I'm talking about 19-22 year old guys here. How do they have sex?
Anyway....get running. There are threads on this forum about fitness. Get some weights, get running, get doing some fast walking with boots on.
To be honest I'd be supprised if you didnt get in on fitness, but once your in, the last thing you want to be thinking about on exercise is that your struggling physically.
Q_M
im looking to join too, on the london OTC site it has this to say about selection
"Fitness Requirements:
At the Selection weekend in October you will attempt a military fitness test:
- The Basic Personal Fitness Assessment (BPFA).
We are not looking for super human athletes - but you must achieve a high end "Amber" result to be selected. You should strive to achieve the green results set out below. All OCdts need to pass this each summer to obtain their "Bounty" (cash bonus at the end of each academic year).
This means if you are selected and train in ULOTC by the summer of your first year (10 months after joining) you will be expected to reach the basic minimum standards of fitness and gain a GREEN result.
The test is graded as Red, Amber, Green. If you achieve a green result you stand a better chance of being selected that if you achieve a red or amber result.
For Males:
To achieve a "Green" you need to be able to complete 44 proper press ups in 2 minutes, then 55 proper sit-ups in 2 minutes, then complete a mile and a half run in 10 and a half minutes.
For Females:
To achieve a "Green" result you need to complete 21 press ups, 55 sit ups, and the same run (a mile and a half) in 13 minutes.
Start training now, if you can meet the standard now you stand a better chance of getting into the best student club in London."
I timed myself today just for lols, i got to 39 push ups in 1.30 minute and i couldent bring myself back up, but 30 seconds and 5 more push ups dosent seem like an everest of a challenge and the sit ups i got just in the time frame 1.59 or something lol, im a fast runner but im gonna have a propper time run in a few days, still im off on my final Army Cadet camp in the next week so im sure that will kick me into shape ^_^
by the way are any other OTC applicants ex/current army/sea/air cadets?
"Fitness Requirements:
At the Selection weekend in October you will attempt a military fitness test:
- The Basic Personal Fitness Assessment (BPFA).
We are not looking for super human athletes - but you must achieve a high end "Amber" result to be selected. You should strive to achieve the green results set out below. All OCdts need to pass this each summer to obtain their "Bounty" (cash bonus at the end of each academic year).
This means if you are selected and train in ULOTC by the summer of your first year (10 months after joining) you will be expected to reach the basic minimum standards of fitness and gain a GREEN result.
The test is graded as Red, Amber, Green. If you achieve a green result you stand a better chance of being selected that if you achieve a red or amber result.
For Males:
To achieve a "Green" you need to be able to complete 44 proper press ups in 2 minutes, then 55 proper sit-ups in 2 minutes, then complete a mile and a half run in 10 and a half minutes.
For Females:
To achieve a "Green" result you need to complete 21 press ups, 55 sit ups, and the same run (a mile and a half) in 13 minutes.
Start training now, if you can meet the standard now you stand a better chance of getting into the best student club in London."
I timed myself today just for lols, i got to 39 push ups in 1.30 minute and i couldent bring myself back up, but 30 seconds and 5 more push ups dosent seem like an everest of a challenge and the sit ups i got just in the time frame 1.59 or something lol, im a fast runner but im gonna have a propper time run in a few days, still im off on my final Army Cadet camp in the next week so im sure that will kick me into shape ^_^
by the way are any other OTC applicants ex/current army/sea/air cadets?
gingerninja_2
For Males:
To achieve a "Green" you need to be able to complete 44 proper press ups in 2 minutes, then 55 proper sit-ups in 2 minutes, then complete a mile and a half run in 10 and a half minutes.
For Females:
To achieve a "Green" result you need to complete 21 press ups, 55 sit ups, and the same run (a mile and a half) in 13 minutes.
To achieve a "Green" you need to be able to complete 44 proper press ups in 2 minutes, then 55 proper sit-ups in 2 minutes, then complete a mile and a half run in 10 and a half minutes.
For Females:
To achieve a "Green" result you need to complete 21 press ups, 55 sit ups, and the same run (a mile and a half) in 13 minutes.
So males need to complete "proper" press ups but women don't? Does anyone know what exactly they expect women do be able to do in terms of press ups- how low you have to go etc. ?
No you do proper pressups as a women. Elbows to 90degrees.
gingerninja_2
The test is graded as Red, Amber, Green. If you achieve a green result you stand a better chance of being selected that if you achieve a red or amber result.
For Males:
To achieve a "Green" you need to be able to complete 44 proper press ups in 2 minutes, then 55 proper sit-ups in 2 minutes, then complete a mile and a half run in 10 and a half minutes.
For Females:
To achieve a "Green" result you need to complete 21 press ups, 55 sit ups, and the same run (a mile and a half) in 13 minutes.
For Males:
To achieve a "Green" you need to be able to complete 44 proper press ups in 2 minutes, then 55 proper sit-ups in 2 minutes, then complete a mile and a half run in 10 and a half minutes.
For Females:
To achieve a "Green" result you need to complete 21 press ups, 55 sit ups, and the same run (a mile and a half) in 13 minutes.
So thats the Green rating any idea what constitutes Amber and Red?
erm amber and red = to epic fail ?
ub2008
Naddles, I would STRONGLY advise you to train to at least the green standard. Green is the MINIMUM level of fitness expected in the OTC. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the OTC.
I'm fine with the press ups and situps, I've exceeded the Green rating without any problem but my main worry is the run!I'm finding it hard to bring my time down despite training 4 or 5 times a week and I currently have 6 weeks until the Selection Weekend
Are you doing fartlek or just going on runs? Try and mix it up a bit.
ub2008
Be patient. If you are exercising as much as you say you are and have a good diet, your times will come down. Try going swimming a couple of times a week as well, great for general cardio fitness and all over body conditioning.
I go swimming twice a week (one as part of a super sprint triathlon). As for the run I've just been trying to increase my speed, I'll give fartlek a go next time.
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