The US Army has announced the introduction of a new physical fitness test, known as the Army Fitness Test (AFT), which will replace the current Army Combat Fitness Test. The AFT is designed to assess Soldier fitness and warfighting readiness, with a focus on enhancing lethality.
The five-event test consists of deadlift, push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run. According to the RAND Corporation and Army data from 1 million test records, the new standard was developed to improve performance in combat situations.
Implementation will begin June 1, 2025, with phased rollout for active component soldiers and a later start date for Reserve and National Guard personnel. The AFT is sex-neutral and age-normed, requiring a minimum score of 60 points per event and an overall score of 350 for those in combat specialties.
For non-combat roles, the test’s performance standards will vary by sex and age group, with a minimum score of 300 required for overall assessment. The Army aims to create a physically ready force capable of meeting operational demands in challenging environments.
Source: https://www.army.mil/article/284799/army_establishes_new_fitness_test_of_record_to_strengthen_readiness_and_lethality