Army Combat Fitness Test

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a new fitness test for the United States Army. All soldiers are required to pass the ACFT test starting this October 2020. This will replace the Army Physical Fitness Test. It enhances the physical fitness standard in the U.S. Army as it is designed to better connect the fitness of a combat environment.

The ACFT is gender and age-neutral.

The old test graded soldiers differently based on their age and gender. The new one will be far more physically demanding and will not consider age or gender.

Unlike the physical fitness test covers 3 main activities: sit-ups, push-ups, and a 3.2-kilometer run which needs to be completed in hours, the ACFT is comprised of 6 events and requires to be completed in 50 minutes. What are those 6 events?

Soldiers will complete the following events in order:

3-repetition maximum deadlift

Perform a three-repetition deadlift, as the weight increases with each repetition. The weight range of the deadlift is 120 to 340 pounds.

 

standing power throw

Toss a 10-pound medicine ball backward as far as possible to test the muscular explosive power.

 

 

hand-release push-up

Perform as many hand-release push-ups as possible within 2 minutes.

 

 

sprint-drag-carry

Perform 5 times x 25-meter dash – sprint, drag a sled weighing 90 pounds, lateral, carry two 40-pound kettlebell weights and sprint

 

 

leg tuck

Complete as many leg tucks as possible. This requires the soldier to work out core muscles by lifting their legs to their elbows and is described as being similar to a pull-up.

 

2-mile run

Run 2 miles while time is measured.

 

 

Army Combat Fitness Test Scoring

The scoring is divided into 3 levels. Below are the minimum scores required to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). This will explain what score is needed for each of the 6 events.

  • Black – “Heavy” physical demands. 200 pounds on the strength deadlift; 8 meters for the power throw; 30 hand-release push-ups; 2 minutes, 10 seconds for the sprint, drag and carry; 5 leg tucks; and 18 minutes for the two-mile run.
  • Gray – “Significant” physical demands. 180 pounds on the strength deadlift; 6.5 meters for the power throw; 20 hand-release push-ups; 2 minutes, 30 seconds for the sprint, drag and carry; 3 leg tucks; and 19 minutes for the two-mile run.
  • Gold – “Moderate” physical demands. 140 pounds for the strength deadlift; 4.5 meters for the power throw; 10 hand-release push-ups; 3 minutes for the sprint, drag and carry; 1 leg tuck; and 21 minutes for the two-mile run.