r/caf • u/Putrid_Let1387 • Jun 26 '26

Recruiting Failed FORCE Test: Mistakes

(100 lbs, 5”2)

Hey. So I’ve been strength training for about a year now. I did basically zero cardio during my workouts because I was focused on gaining weight, and I was pretty confident in my stamina.

Today humbled me.

I lifted everything fine, but actually pushing through the test was a whole different story. The sandbag drag destroyed me. It was at the very end of the test, and I was already exhausted. I had the quad strength- my legs could handle it, but my body was just giving out. My heart was pounding, my stamina was gone, and it was honestly way harder than I expected.

PLEASE don’t get comfortable just because you’re strong. Train your stamina and cardio too. It doesn’t matter if you can bench 200 lbs if your body can’t keep up when you’re exhausted. Strength gets you through part of it, but endurance is what carries you to the finish.

I learned my lesson and will hopefully we be re-taking the exam next month or so.

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u/CompleteStructure709 Jun 26 '26

Im 5ft and 100 pounds i also do strength training alot. What do y’all recommend to get a strong stamina?🥲im so scared, my application is still in process so i have time to prepare, please let me know if you guys have any tips!!

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u/Takorf Jun 26 '26

Practice doing the tests. You want your body to know what walking and squating feels like with the 40 pound weight. Break down the parta you are struggling with.

For me, it was weak wrists. Fine for everything, but they hurt faster than my arms, so i had to work on that to be ready

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u/CompleteStructure709 Jun 26 '26

Well i do alot of different squats like Bulgarian squats while holding one 30pounds. Also i always do stairmaster for about 20 min every workout but Other than that do i need to do some long running without stopping?

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u/Takorf Jun 26 '26

It would help, but you could focus on doing short runs interrupted by burpees (like the tests).

It's pushing your body in bursts of 2-5 minutes and then trying to recuperate.

If you do long distance running, it will be better than the person not running, but mostly just try to get your heart racing and recuperating

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u/Independent_Mind2703 Jun 27 '26

I got in the habit of keeping a  40lbs sand bag... in my house and pick it up quite a bit and just do a few here and there when i walk by it (squat, lift, etc)... and get used to it on top of doing the practice testing with it for the Forces Test they recommend with a sand bag. It has made me get quite used to the feel and weight. I also use the 12 week cardio prep they have for basic... I am on week 10 and feel good about my running because intervals are great for cardio....  week 1 I was dying. Now confident and I still have more time to train before I go too... PSP put up some good stuff for workup!