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The U.S. Army’s New Fitness Test
An updated protocol assesses combat readiness.
By Shirley Archer, JD, MA
Oct 12, 2018
In October 2018, the U.S. Army began field testing a new gender- and age-neutral Army Combat Fitness Test that it plans to put into effect October 2020. The test consists of six trials:
- Strength deadlift. Complete 3 reps at heaviest weight you’re capable of between 120 and 420 pounds (replicates picking up supplies, heavy equipment or wounded comrades).
- Standing power throw. Throw a 10-pound ball backward as far as possible (replicates lifting oneself or aiding a soldier over an obstacle or moving rapidly across uneven terrain).
- Hand-release pushup. Do as many hand-release pushups as possible in 2 minutes. In a hand-release pushup, a soldier lifts his or her hands and arms from the ground at the bottom of every pushup.
- Sprint, drag, carry. Dash 25 meters up and down a lane, sprinting, then dragging a 90-pound sled, then hand-carrying two 40-pound kettlebell weights (simulates pulling a soldier to safety, moving quickly to cover or carrying ammunition).
- Leg tuck. While hanging from a bar, lift legs up and down and touch knees or thighs to elbows as many times as possible in 2 minutes (requires double the force of traditional situps).
- Two-mile run. Complete a 2-mile run after just 5 minutes’ rest following the leg tucks.
The new test is intended to provide a better assessment of combat readiness.Passing-score standards need to be developed and may depend on a particular soldier’s job requirements. To learn more, go to tradocnews.org/army-combat-fitness-test-set-to-become-new-pt-test-of-record-in-late-2020/.
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