The Army has been demonstrating its new In-Service Physical Employment Standards (PES) for all ground close combat roles which will come into effect from 2019.
Current policy on physical employment standards hadn’t been changed for 20 years and needed updating. These new physical fitness standards are objective, measurable, role-related and gender-free to ensure Army personnel have the physical capability to meet the necessary force preparation and operational requirements.
PES will be incorporated into a new structured suite of Army Role Fitness Tests – a series of tests to assess whether personnel are fit for a specific role. Tests will include casualty extraction from a vehicle, repeated lift and carry and fire and manoeuvre. The standards are based on detailed analysis of roles, with the scientific research being conducted by the University of Chichester.