Updated for the AFT (June 1, 2025): Since June 1, 2025 the Army Fitness Test (AFT) has five events: the Standing Power Throw described below was removed, and the leg tuck had already been replaced by the plank in 2022. The remaining events are performed exactly as described here; only the scoring tables and the pass marks (300 General, 350 Combat, 60 per event) changed.
A New Era in Military Fitness
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) replaced the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) in 2020 and was itself succeeded by the Army Fitness Test (AFT) in June 2025. This comprehensive guide breaks down each of the six ACFT events, five of which continue unchanged in the AFT, revealing why it's a game-changer in assessing combat readiness.
Introduced post-Iraq War and Afghanistan conflict, the ACFT addresses the crucial need for a fitness regimen that truly reflects a soldier's capability on the battlefield. It's a response to musculoskeletal injuries prevalent during evacuations and declining fitness levels among new recruits. The ACFT comprised six varied events, each meticulously designed to evaluate vital physical skills like muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular health, explosive power, and agility.
1. The 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift: Testing Raw Strength
- Goal: Assessing lower body, grip, and back strength by lifting heavy, combat-relevant loads.
- Equipment: 60-pound hex bar and weight plates (120-340 pounds).
- Combat Readiness: Essential for tasks like carrying ammunition and assisting injured comrades.
- Scoring: Based on the maximum weight lifted in three repetitions.
2. The Standing Power Throw: Assessing Explosive Power
- Goal: Evaluating quick, powerful movements using a 10-pound medicine ball.
- Equipment: Medicine ball and a marked throwing lane.
- Combat Readiness: Crucial for overcoming physical barriers and maneuvering equipment rapidly.
- Scoring: Determined by the distance the medicine ball is thrown.
3. Hand-Release Push-Ups: Upper Body Endurance
- Goal: Testing sustained upper body strength through a full range of motion.
- Equipment: None required.
- Combat Readiness: Vital for tasks such as moving heavy objects and rapid position changes.
- Scoring: Based on the total number of correctly executed push-ups within a set time.
4. Sprint-Drag-Carry: A Test of Versatile Fitness
- Goal: Assessing agility, strength, endurance, and anaerobic capacity over various tasks.
- Equipment: Lane lines, cones, a stopwatch, a 90-pound sled, and 40-pound kettlebells.
- Combat Readiness: Reflects the ability to react quickly under direct fire and handle casualties.
- Scoring: Timed event, with faster completion times resulting in higher scores.
5. Leg Tuck or Plank: Core Strength Assessment
- Goal: Evaluating core strength and endurance, with a focus on military functionality.
- Equipment: None for the Plank (the Leg Tuck, which used a pull-up bar, was retired in 2022).
- Combat Readiness: Aids in obstacle traversal, load carrying, and injury prevention.
- Scoring: Plank, duration held in proper position (the retired Leg Tuck counted correct repetitions).
6. The Two-Mile Run: Endurance and Stamina
- Goal: Testing cardiovascular endurance and stamina in prolonged activities.
- Equipment: Suitable running gear.
- Combat Readiness: Essential for long marches and continuous operational tasks.
- Scoring: Based on the time taken to complete the two-mile run, with faster times scoring higher.
Conclusion: The ACFT as a Comprehensive Fitness Measure
The ACFT is more than a fitness test; it's a holistic assessment of a soldier's readiness for the physical demands of combat. Understanding the specific requirements and goals of each event can significantly aid in training and preparation. Remember, excelling in the AFT is not only about scoring high but also about building the resilience and endurance that define a true soldier. This challenge is your pathway to achieving peak military performance and readiness.
