FORT MEADE, Md. — Beginning June 1, 2025, the U.S. Army will officially implement the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as its new test of record for Soldiers, marking a significant shift from the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).
This transition aims to introduce updated scoring standards that prioritize readiness and combat effectiveness.
Soldiers will have a grace period until Jan. 1, 2026, to comply with the new AFT requirements without facing adverse actions.
For active-duty Soldiers in 21 specific combat roles, a minimum score of 350 points overall, with 60 points in each event, is mandatory.
National Guard and Reserve Soldiers in these roles have until June 1, 2026, to meet these standards, while the passing score for other specialties is set at 300 points with the same event minimums.
Active Guard Reserve Soldiers and those on orders exceeding 60 days must meet the Jan. 1, 2026, deadline.
Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, the senior enlisted leader in the Army Headquarters’ operations department, stated that the AFT is built to enhance Soldier readiness and to prepare them for the challenges of modern warfare.
He noted that the test emphasizes holistic fitness rather than merely event-specific training, focusing on performance.
The decision to replace the ACFT with the AFT was the result of 18 months of extensive analysis and feedback collected from numerous test iterations.
According to the Army, this shift represents a data-driven reform aimed at fostering consistency and promoting combat-effective fitness.
The AFT consists of five key events: a three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run.
The standing power throw, an event from the previous test, has been eliminated from the AFT.
Mullinax explained that the removal of the standing power throw was due to its ineffectiveness in promoting fitness and its associated risks of overuse injuries, which diverted Soldiers’ focus to technique rather than demonstrating real power.
As the AFT is rolled out, expectations are raised, particularly for Soldiers in combat roles, with updated scoring tables standardized and combat standards rendered sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat specialties.
This change aims to ensure fairness and readiness for operational challenges.
Mullinax emphasized the Army’s commitment to performance, declaring, “We’re a ‘Be All You Can Be’ Army,” adding that determination and willingness to meet high standards matter more than anything else.
The battlefield values performance, and Soldiers must be prepared to deliver that effectively.
Moreover, the AFT aligns with the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness initiative (H2F), which is designed to cultivate a culture of lifelong fitness and overall well-being among Soldiers.
Mullinax concluded by highlighting that the shift is not solely about modifying exercises but also transforming the Army’s overall approach to fitness.
He expressed confidence in the AFT as a solution to the Army’s fitness requirements, clarifying that it is data-driven, combat-focused, and designed to elevate standards where it counts.
The goal, he reiterated, is to promote a culture of lifelong fitness, learning, and adaptation to equip Soldiers for the challenges of today’s missions and the future battlefield.
image source from：https://www.army.mil/article/285501/army_introduces_new_fitness_test_for_2025
