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Crossfit under fire

Since the creation of the Combat Fitness Test, I have seen what many Marines are calling CrossFit infiltrate our Corps. I have a question and a few comments regarding this. Is there a contract endorsement between CrossFit and the Marine Corps? If there is no contract, then I suggest we, as Marines, do the right thing and call this type of exercise by its generic names — high-intensity interval training or general physical preparedness. This type of exercise was developed years before CrossFit and used by bodybuilders, powerlifters and numerous athletes to increase their strength and conditioning.

I am pursuing strength and conditioning, personal training, and nutrition certifications. In my pursuit of knowledge, I have come across a number of questionable practices in CrossFit. These include the implementation of compound exercises for high repetitions, and a lack of training for “certified” coaches.

Addressing the first issue: compound lifts are more technical and therefore require more coaching in order to prevent bad form from injuring the trainee. These exercises were developed to be used for low-repetition ranges in cluster sets or singles. They are for developing explosive strength and power. When CrossFit calls for “deadlifts for time” or “barbell snatches for time,” trainees are risking a gradual increase in poor form as they become more exhausted. This places them at greater risk for injury.

Secondly, I don’t believe that the “certifications” issued by CrossFit require enough training time for people studying to become coaches. A level-one certification can be earned in a weekend. The issue of safety in CrossFit is a much-debated issue.

To sum up my points, CrossFit is more or less a copyrighted way of training in HIIT or GPP. I question the worth of their certifications and the quality of their coaching.

— Sgt. Cody A. Lefever, Golden, Colo.

Build more barracks

The Marine Corps has reached its 202,000 manpower goal, but now we have no room to adequately house Marines. Leaders talk to us about quality-of-life issues, but their actions do not convey concern. Why, after the decision was made to add thousands of Marines to our forces, did we not immediately start building [enough] barracks?

We didn’t have enough barracks space when we only had 175,000 Marines. Housing also was already of inferior quality. Now we are authorizing too many young Marines to live out in town to make enough space in the barracks.

The problem I have is that we spent money on other programs that don’t improve the quality of life for Marines or make them better war fighters. Take the running suit, for instance. It was a well-executed program, but invokes the adage, “Good initiative, poor judgment.” The money that was spent developing, purchasing and distributing the running suit would have served Marines well in any number of other areas.

They could have dedicated the same resources to figuring out how to fast-track the construction of new barracks. Or, even better, that energy could have been focused on figuring out how to raise private donations to fund barracks construction.

Marines have voiced their opinions and aren’t being heard.

— 1st Lt. Curtiss Peck, Oceanside, Calif.

War is for fighting

I am writing in response to the article, “Bored in Iraq” [Nov. 2].

My son is serving with the Army in Afghanistan and, after reading the article, I became somewhat angry. I understand that troops have to obey orders and go where they are sent, but to have fully trained combat troops playing soccer, taking yoga and salsa dancing while my son doesn’t even get a night off seems a bit unfair.

I realize operations in Iraq are winding down and have changed, but why can’t some of these [troops] be sent to Afghanistan to help relieve the stress and fatigue of others? I understand we still need troops in Iraq, but right now our guys in Afghanistan need help. As a mother, I would like some well-deserved relief for my son and his fellow soldiers.

— Karen Young, New City, N.Y.

Fakers must be stopped

I don’t understand why individuals want to lie and pretend they have served in the military. After reading “A 2-star fake” [Nov. 30], I ask, how could David Weber tell all of his bogus stories? Granted he served, but don’t exaggerate your service and even dress the part.

And regarding Steven Burton [“FBI says man with affinity for dress blues, medals never served,” Nov. 30]: He pleaded not guilty to charges of pretending to be a decorated Marine when there are pictures that show him in uniform with medals — despite never having served.

Lying about one’s service and medals — or lack thereof — is really a slap in the face to Marines who have served their time honorably and have earned their ribbons and medals.

The underlying problem is exacerbated by the fact that acquiring a Marine Corps uniform is simple. I could hop on an auction Web site right now and bid on many Marine Corps uniform items.

If we want this to stop, then we need to stop making our uniforms readily available. To buy uniform items, it should be required to have a Defense Department active-duty or reserve identification card. It probably would not solve the problem, but hopefully it could alleviate [some of] it. I would hate to continue seeing these fakers wear the same uniform that I have so much honest pride in wearing.

— Sgt. Jade N. Long, Quantico, Va.