Army launches new physical test for soldiers in combat roles

The U.S. Army is rolling out a new physical assessment designed to measure battlefield fitness for soldiers serving in combat roles, the service announced on Wednesday.

The new Combat Field Test (CFT) is designed to evaluate how soldiers perform under conditions that more closely resemble warfare on the modern battlefield, the Army said, launching a program that emphasizes strength, endurance and movement with loads.  The new fitness requirement was created “to align with Secretary of War intent,” according to an Army memo signed by Secretary of the Army Hon. Dan Driscoll.

“The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring our Soldiers serving in the most physically demanding specialties have the specific fitness required to dominate on the modern battlefield,” Secretary Driscoll said. “This is about readiness, lethality, and the well-being of our Soldiers.”

Implementation began this month. The CFT is required annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties.

The CFT does not replace the Army Fitness Test (AFT). Combat specialty Soldiers in the Regular Army and Reserve Component on active-duty orders for 365 days or more will be required to pass one of each test annually. All other Reserve Component Soldiers in combat specialties will take one fitness test per calendar year, alternating between the AFT and CFT.

The CFT is a seven-event sequence conducted continuously and scored on total time. Events include:

• A one-mile run.
• 30 dead-stop push-ups.
• A 100-meter sprint.
• 16 lifts of a 40-pound sandbag onto a 65-inch platform.
• A 50-meter carry of two five-gallon Army water cans weighing 40 pounds each.
• A 50-meter movement drill consisting of a 25-meter high crawl and a 25-meter 3-5 second rush.
• A final one-mile run.

Soldiers must complete the test in 30 minutes or less while wearing the Army Combat Uniform, combat boots and a brown T-shirt, with no cover.

“This isn’t just about passing a test; it’s a direct measure of our commitment to readiness and ensuring our warfighters can dominate in any environment,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer. “We’re asking more of our combat arms Soldiers, and this test validates their ability to meet that high standard.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Malik Retemiah, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) performs the 1-mile run during the new Combat Field Test (CFT), at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. (Photo by Sgt. Aaron Troutman)

To allow time for adaptation, no adverse administrative actions will be taken for failing the CFT during an initial 365-day diagnostic period for all combat specialty personnel. During this phase, Soldiers may request voluntary reclassification to a non-combat specialty if they determine they cannot meet the standard, allowing the Army to retain valuable talent.

The CFT establishes a single, mission-based standard aligned to the demands of combat to ensure readiness and lethality. All Soldiers in designated combat roles must meet the same passing criteria, regardless of age or sex.

The Army will provide support to Soldiers preparing for the CFT through command-led physical training programs, Holistic Health and Fitness resources, and a dedicated CFT microsite with additional guidance. For more information on the Combat Field Test, visit the Army Fitness Test website.

The CFT will be required for all soldiers in 24 combat specialties, which include officers, warrant officers, and enlisted specialties in infantry, field artillery, armor, combat engineers, and Special Forces, as well as divers and explosive ordnance disposal techs.

“L​eadership will have to take this test as well,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Paske, who works on Army training standards. “The Army is going to hold senior leaders accountable for the same CFT standards we’re asking our soldiers to achieve.”

Compiled from an article published on April 22 at Army.mil with ArmyTimes .com.