With what will the Army Times hook you at the PX checkout when it can no longer rely on variant shrieks of "New PT Test Coming Soon!"? Because in just over two years, it'll actually be here... the Army PT test’s first total overhaul in 38 years!
It's true. Last month, the Pentagon announced that the gender- and age-neutral Army Combat Fitness Test will replace the Army Physical Fitness Test* in October 2020; field testing of the ACFT begins in October 2018. Then, over the course of the following two years, the Center for Initial Military Training--the proponent of the new ACFT--will be adjusting standards accordingly.
Those proposed standards leaked online--scope them HERE--and I'm thrilled to finally see a single scoring standard. (The rigors of war do not accommodate a gender/age-graduated spectrum.) The standards will be nonetheless divided by “heavy,” “significant" and “moderate” physical demand; it'll be interesting to see how scoring standards will flesh out across MOS's. While the maximum test score will be 600 (100 points per event), minimum scores depend on the type of job the Soldier performs.
The ACFT will be comprised of six events:
• Strength Deadlift (3 repetitions, 120-420 lbs.)
• Standing Power Throw (10-lb medicine ball)
• Hand-Raised Push-ups (2-minute event)
• 250-Meter Sprint, Drag and Carry
• Leg Tuck (2-minute event)
• Two-Mile Run
The 250-meter spring will actually be comprised of 5 events: a 50-meter sprint; a backward 50-meter drag of a 90-pound sled; a 50-meter movement; a 50-meter carry of two 40-pound kettle bells; and a final 50-meter sprint
All six events must be completed in 50 minutes or less, including mandated rest and a maximum time for each event. Soldier will get two minutes' rest between each of the first five events and five minutes of rest before the two-mile run.
Here's a survey of some of the more insightful articles on the subject:
- Army Offers New Details on Combat Fitness Test
- A new Army PT test is on its way. This is not a drill.
- Here’s an early draft of the Army’s new fitness test standards
- Army Combat Fitness Test set to become new PT test of record
- The Army’s New Combat Fitness Test Will Kick Your Ass
- Army unveils new, six-event physical fitness test
For old time's sake, check out this chart comparing the current APFT standards to those of its upcoming successor.
And to all you prospective JAGWAR Candidates... don't get excited; membership in the Order of the JAGWAR will still be contingent on back-to-back administrations of the Army Physical Fitness Test (separated by no fewer than 4 months, no more than 6) per the standards detailed on the continuation pages of the May 2010 Scorecard (DA Form 705).