The US Army has officially announced that it is going to overhaul its physical fitness test that assesses the fitness of soldiers to be recruited in the military. The Army Combat Fitness Test is going to be replaced with a new Army Fitness Test. This, according to the reports, is a streamlined version of ACFT. If you are someone who wants to know more about the upcoming changes in the Army’s physical fitness assessment, this article is for you. It brings you everything we know so far about the new Army Fitness Test.
What Are The Changes Coming With The New Army Fitness Test?
The new Army Fitness Test is going to scrap the word “Combat” from it, along with an event that was highly criticized in the past. It is also going to set new performance benchmarks for all the soldiers in combat roles. The upcoming Army Fitness Test is going to retain the original five events from the ACFT. This includes the three-repetition maximum deadlift, sprint-drag-carry, two-mile run, hand-release push-up with arm extension, and plank. The standing power throw event, which was highly criticized and accused of favoring tall participants and relying on technique over strength, has now been eliminated.
New Army Fitness Test To Introduce Gender Neutral Standards
According to what the reports suggest, the new Army Fitness Test, which is replacing the original Army Combat Fitness Test, is going to introduce gender-neutral standards. These standards will depend on age rather than gender and are for 21 combat military occupational specialties (MOS). The 21 specialties include infantry, armor, field artillery, cavalry, and Special Forces. The particulars under the assessment system will have to score at least 60 points in all the events, along with a minimum total score of 350. The reduction in events will lead to a decrease in maximum scores from 600 to 500.
What Pete Hegseth Said About The New Army Fitness Test?
Pete Hegseth, the Defence Secretary, also made a statement regarding the upcoming new Army Fitness Test. In the month of March, he was seen explaining how the Army needs to have the same standard, male or female, in its combat roles. He also assured that the Army will soon have the highest and equal standards for both men and women in combat roles. The new Army Fitness Test is reportedly set to come into effect on the 1st of January 2026 for active-duty soldiers and the 1st of June 2026 for the Reserve and National Guard.
New Army Fitness Test Omits Cannon Crew Members And Combat Medics
The memo of the new Army Fitness Test has outlined all the upcoming changes in the physical fitness assessment for combat roles. Another notable change in the test is that it officially omits the cannon crew members as well as the combat medics. This change ended up raising questions about whether these changes were oversights. It does not mention clearly whether the Army is going to retain the policy that allows participants who score 540 to skip the height and weight assessments. There is no response from the Army for those demanding a clarification.
New Army Fitness Test Introduced After ACFT Received Criticism
The original Army Combat Fitness Test received severe criticism from the masses. It allegedly had low thresholds for passing. In the current situation, a participant can pass if they complete 10 push-ups and run 2 miles in 22 minutes. In contrast to that, high scores obviously require exceptional athletic performance. Participants who have medical profiles and are not able to compete in all the events will have to score at least 70 points in all the permitted events. The implementation guidelines, as well as the execution orders, are expected in the month of May.
