The U.S. Army’s New Fitness Test

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:

1. 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).
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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).
6. 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/.