SOLDIERS MUST RUN 3 KM IN 15 MINUTES 6 MONTHS AFTER ENROLLING
ROC Central News Agency
2007-03-20 19:02:14
Taipei, March 20 (CNA) All military recruits must complete a 3km run in 15 minutes, six months after enrolling, Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Wu Chi-fang said Tuesday.
Wu made the announcement in response to media inquiries on the physical fitness of military personnel at a press conference held at the MND after news reports saying that Legislator Trong R. Chai, who serves as acting chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, was concerned with the poor physical fitness of active soldiers and military officers.
Chai recently expressed his willingness to challenge military generals, including Minister of National Defense Jye Lee to physical contests, according to reports.
At the news conference, Wu explained the military has adopted the globally-circulated physical fitness standards, and that all military officers serving in the crucial positions have maintained a good physical fitness condition. "Every media reporter who is familiar with these officers should have known that," he said.
Wu also publicized the military's existing standards for physical fitness performance of new enrollees upon completion of basic training one to three months after enrollment, includes doing a 3km run in 19 minutes, 25 sit-ups, 28 push-ups, and two chin-ups.
However, the criteria were criticized by reporters attending the press conference as too low to produce strong military personnel.
Wu explained that there are different physical fitness standards in the different branches of military service, noting what he had earlier mentioned are the basic criteria for new recruits.
(By Elizabeth Hsu)
ENDITEM/jnc
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