The armed forces are the police forces and armies of a State.
The armed forces are the armies and police forces of a State . These forces are made up of people who have the training and permission to handle weapons in accordance with what is established by the constitution .
The concept of force has multiple meanings. It may be the application of moral or physical power; the natural virtue of things; the most vigorous state of something; the influence that can alter the state of rest or movement of a body ; or the vigor and ability to move someone or something that has weight or resistance.
Armed , for its part, is an adjective that refers to what is provided with weapons or an instrument or utensil. It is also about what is developed with the use of weapons.
Functions of the armed forces
The armed forces can fulfill various functions according to the legislation in force in each country. In general, its most important function is the defense of the national territory , although it can also be dedicated to controlling internal order , assisting the population in emergency situations and even attacking other countries.
The regular army is one formed by professionals who make up the force on a permanent basis. The armed forces, in general, also have a civil army that is only summoned and mobilized in cases of emergency.
The most common division of the armed forces is the army (in charge of controlling the earth's surface), the air force (air) and the navy (sea). In this way, the members of each force specialize in their area of action.
Members of the armed forces must undergo tough training.
The physical preparation
As is known, excellent physical condition is a fundamental requirement for members of the armed forces, since they must be able to withstand extreme climates, move on land and water with equal skill, spend long days without eating or drinking, and carry their companions in arms in case of emergency, among other difficulties.
To get through the initial selection phase, it is essential to carry out intense and constant physical preparation, which can take several years, and which must become a lifestyle, unlike an exercise routine to look good in the summer. The process must include various disciplines; Some of the most common activities are climbing, swimming, running and gym exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups.
In each country, the preparation and requirements may vary, but some of the most common requirements are the following:
- Perform 100 push-ups in two minutes.
- Run an average of 3.2 kilometers in a maximum of fifteen minutes.
- Do 100 sit-ups in two minutes.
- Travel a section of between 3 and 5 kilometers in the shortest time possible.
- Carry a backpack that carries a weight of up to 22 kilos for a maximum of 25 kilometers.
- Swim an average of 1500 meters per session .
- Swim wearing the uniform and boots for 100 meters.
And the list goes on, with the aggravating factor of being routines that can be required up to five times a week , depending on the exercise. Additionally, numbers that start out intimidating, such as 100 sit-ups or 100 push-ups, can quickly climb to 300 to reach the level of training and endurance needed to join the military.
Other capabilities of members of the armed forces
It is important to highlight that physical training is only part of a soldier's preparation, since it is not possible to take on this job without having sufficient mental health to face the terrible scenarios that are usually common for the armed forces.
On the other hand, knowledge of one's own social skills , such as leadership capacity, is essential to occupy the appropriate role within a group.