Physical conditioning in the military - is weightlifting a requirement?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I've been thinking about joining the military after graduating. Fitness is understandably a large part of it, but does that include mandatory weightlifting or strength training specifically? I know running and general fitness is important but do they care about how much you can bench press? Asking as someone who's not really big on lifting.

While strength and physical conditioning are indeed important in military training, weightlifting in the sense of bench pressing, deadlifting, or traditional gym-based lifting is not specifically a requirement. Rather, military physical training focuses on developing overall fitness, agility, and resilience.

Most branches of the military use a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to assess the recruit's physical capability. The components of these tests vary across branches but usually involve a timed run, sit-ups, and push-ups. There's usually no weightlifting component in the traditional sense, such as bench pressing or squats. The goal is to test endurance and muscular strength in a more functional sense, rather than the amount of weight that can be lifted in a single instance.

That being said, strength training can be beneficial in improving your performance in these areas. Including body-weight exercises or lighter resistance training to improve muscular endurance might be more beneficial than focusing on heavy weightlifting.

So, while you don't have to worry about hitting a certain weight on a bench press or deadlift, it's still crucial to maintain a balanced fitness regimen that promotes both cardiovascular endurance and strength. Tailor your workouts to reflect the demands of the PFT, focusing on endurance, agility, and functional strength. It's always a good idea to check the specific fitness requirements for the branch of the military you're interested in to better prepare yourself. Keep up a consistent routine, and remember, your physical fitness journey is about improvement over time.