I have been asked by a few future Coast Guardsmen about the new fitness test utilized by DOG.  First of all, I had to figure out what DOG was.  After some research, the good news is that the fitness test is very similar to law enforcement fitness tests used by many federal and local police agencies.  Also, DOG stands for Deployable Operations Group (DOG) and is considered the Coast Guard Special Ops Team.  After September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard became part of Homeland Security and developed the DOG in order to establish a single command authority to rapidly provide the Coast Guard, DHS, DoD, DoJ and other interagency operational commanders adaptive force packages drawn from the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized force units.

These six units, under a single command, create an organized quick reaction force that can be deployed to handle natural disasters, environmental catastrophes, terrorism and other threats to the United States and the world.   The groups that are under DOG are the following:

MSRT – Maritime Security Response Team – The premiere counter–terrorism teams of DOG are interoperable with DOD Special Operations Forces with port security, maritime interdiction, and other high threat events.

NCWS – Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons – These Coast Guard units are part of an interoperable force and part of the Department of Defense international and domestic security.  They provide anti-terrorism / force protection for forward deployed base camps and ports around the world where needed.

PSU – Port Security Units – These units are integrated and interoperable and deploy nationally as well as internationally in support the Department of Defense port security.  They can deploy within 24 hours. 

NSF – National Strike Force – These Coast Guard are immediate action teams and deploy to deal with HAZMAT, CHEM / BIO environmental disasters. 

TACLET – TACtical Law Enforcement Teams – Provide maritime drug interdiction and well as maritime interception domestically as well as where requested by the Department of Defense.  Also they conduct training for foreign Navy and foreign Coast Guard.

For more information on the variety of missions done by these groups see the official Coast Guard website at http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/dog/

The Coast Guard Deployable Operations Group Tier 1 Fitness Test is: 

 This test is very similar to the FBI fitness test except for the Vertical Jump exercise.  Training for it is not that difficult to organize into your week.

By using a standard split routine you can organize the workout week into progressive program.  For instance:

Workout 1,3,5:  Paced Cardio / Upper-body / Abs & Lower-back

Workout 2, 4:  Leg PT / Sprinting 

You can opt for a sixth workout in your seven day week, but I do recommend you give yourself 1-2 days rest for recovery.  A workout #6 option would be to take a day off prior and do the full test in the order that you will be taking it.  This will help you alleviate any PFT anxiety as after several times taking this test, it will become easy and feel just like another workout.

DOG Tier 2 Fitness Test for Men and Women under 30 years of age:

The same can be done with the Tier 2 test as far as creating a split routine to prepare for the fitness test.  Here is how I would recommend training for this different test: 

Workout 1,3,5:  Run / Upper-body / Swim / Abs & Lower-back  - Make your workouts similar for the test complete with a run, upper-body PT or weights followed by a swim and stretch.

Workout 2,4:  Weakness Day:  These days can be spent working on one of the two cardio testing events that you are having the most trouble with and resting the upper-body muscles from the day before.  You can also do some leg PT to build up your leg endurance for the run.

The DOG Physical Fitness Test Exercises (Tips and Sample Workouts):

Running -1.5 mile run:

For more information see related articles at www.stewsmith.com/linkpages/runningarticles.htm

Learn how to pace your 1.5 mile run by breaking the run down into Ό and ½ mile interval workouts like this:

Repeat 6-8 times

Run Ό mile at goal pace (ie if your goal is to run a 10:30 1.5 mile run then your Ό mile should be at 1:45 each lap of the quarter mile.
Rest with 100m walk
Add in squats or lunges to build endurance in legs as well as jumping skills.

Pushups: 

The pushup is the most commonly used exercise in military, law enforcement, and fire fighter training programs.  Learning how to ace a fitness test is required for most groups BUT being able to do multiple sets of countless pushups is usually required in most indoctrination training programs (Boot Camps, Basic Training, Military and Law Enforcement and Fire Fighting Academies).  Here are some tips for the exercise that has been around for 1000’s of years.

The workouts used to build a foundation for your pushup scores by using super set or pyramid workouts like the ones below: 

Repeat 5-10 times
Pushups – 10
Situps – 10-20 on pace with goal 1 minute test 

Pushups Pyramid – do 1 pushup and build up to 25 pushups and back down to 1 in as little time as possible.  If you need to, “rest” by doing a timed set of situps of 15-30 situps.

 Situps:

This exercise requires some stomach and lower back strength as well as hip flexor / psoas strength and flexibility.  For some ideas to stretch / build lower back areas check out the Lower Back Plan.  

Running Speed  - 300m sprint: 

Some favorite workouts to ace this test as well as the vertical jump is to mix sprints with squat, lunges, and jumps a few times a week for 4-5 sets like this:

Repeat 4-5 times
300m fast run
squats – 20
lunges – 10/leg
vertical jump – 5
stretch legs lightly

Vertical Jump – a two foot vertical leap is not a challenging jump, however it is one that requires practice if you do not normally jump for athletic games like basketball or volleyball.  Out of all the exercises, jumping and running are the two exercises that are the most potentially injurious especially if you are sporting a few too many extra pounds.  Being flexible, with healthy bodyweight, and practicing jumping is the best way to ace this event.

Swimming Tests – a 12 minute swim is a tough event IF you are not an efficient swimmer.  This is one of those tests that may require some special training from someone who knows how to swim well.  Another way to learn is to watch a swim team practice freestyle / crawl stroke.  Otherwise, build up your swimming endurance and speed by swimming for 12 minute intervals.  See Swimming Articles

See http://www.stewsmith.com/linkpages/passing_military_swimming_tests.htm  for more ideas on swimming tests in the military.