WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army announced Monday the establishment of the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as the official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test.
The five-event AFT is designed to enhance Soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness and increase the lethality of the force.
The AFT consists of the three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up army extension, sprint-drag-carry, plank and 2-mile run. RAND Corporation analysis and Army data from nearly 1 million test records helped inform the new standard.
Phased implementation of the AFT will begin June 1, with new scoring standards for Soldiers in 21 combat military occupational specialties (MOSs) taking effect on January 1, 2026, for the active component, and June 1, 2026, for the Reserve and National Guard.
The AFT combat standard is sex-neutral and age-normed. Soldiers serving in combat specialties must achieve a minimum of 60 points per event and an overall minimum score of 350.
The AFT general standard is performance-normed by sex and age groups. Soldiers serving in combat-enabling specialties must attain a score of at least 60 points per event and an overall minimum score of 300.
Implementation guidance and associated execution orders will be released in May.
The change reflects the Army’s continued focus on building a physically ready force capable of meeting operational demands in austere environments.
The Army is also adapting its policy framework to support implementation, including support to Soldiers with medical profiles and governance to monitor the impact of the new standard on readiness, retention, and end strength.