Imperial Guardsmen fitness levels

It has come to Regiment Command's attention that Imperial Guardsmen's fitness levels have been declining at an alarming rate. We are aware that the Draconian Armored Defense Force is an armored regiment whose soldiers travel and traverse battlefields in the safety and comfort of our mighty tanks, but that is no excuse to neglect your fitness training.

We are already lenient enough by not putting our Guardsmen through Spartan training that our elite Kamikaze Troopers undergo*, and have lowered the standards for passing Physical Proficiency Tests so that the majority of you can pass with minimal training. However, it is clear that this act of compassion has led to Guardsmen taking advantage of the system and slacking in their physical training.

You will be required to run through the battlefield on occasions, so it is important to maintain your fitness levels.

Therefore, we shall impose upon our regiment a stricter regimen. We recommend that our Guardsmen follow these advice if they want to pass this training.

1. Your running speed and stamina will be tested by having you escape an Obake, a 3-meter tall alpha predator native to the forests of Draconis III. The test will only end after 20 minutes of continuous running from the Obake. Therefore we suggest that you improve your cardio and build up your stamina.

2. Your arm strength will be tested by making you do 20 pull-ups above a pit of spikes. Losing your grip will prove fatal, so we advise you to make sure to train your arm muscles.

For those Guardsmen who are not confident of passing these challenging fitness tests, we will allow you to apply for Physical Proficency Preparatory Training. Please report to your regiment's Commissar for more details. It has proven very effective, as an honest testimony from Trooper Yoshida shows.

"I was able to run faster under the threats...uh, I mean encouragement from the Commissar's bolt pistol.** This training is very effective in preparing you for the deadly...uh, challenging fitness tests, and doubles as simulations for life-and-death situations in the battlefield!"

For those Guardsmen who think no amount of training will help, or suffer from disabilities and other combat injuries that will impede them in the fitness test, we strongly recommend you to approach the Adeptus Mechanicus for treatment. The forge world of Draconis IV will provide bionic implants, enhancements and augmetics to cure your condition. There is a very high chance that you might be promoted to join the ranks of the revered Skitarii warriors, so ensure that you sign up at the slightest opportunity!

Quote for the day

"If the price for victory is death, then that is a very small price to pay indeed."

*The Kamikaze Troopers' elite training program includes being sent to the Death World Nephelium in the neighboring system of Arcturus and surviving the predators and toxic environment there for 3 months, clearing a 100-kilometer road march within 3 days without any rest or stopping, and a 50-km triathlon complete with full body armor, equipment, weapons and field pack.

**Fear not, Guardsmen, for the bolt pistol - in addition to being an instrument for encouragement - doubles as the revolver the commissar uses as a referee to start sprints and races.