Army CFT: Combat Field Test Guide
The Combat Field Test (sometimes called the combat fitness test) is a mission-based, pass/fail assessment for Soldiers in 24 designated combat MOSs. Seven events. One continuous sequence. Thirty minutes or less. It was established by Army Directive 2026-07 and HQDA EXORD 103-26. Here is what every Soldier needs to know.
The 7 Events, In Order
All seven events are performed in a single continuous sequence. No event is timed on its own. The clock runs from the start of the first mile to the end of the second, and the total must be 30 minutes or less. You must finish each event, cleared by your grader, before moving to the next. If you can't complete an event, the test ends and is recorded as a failure.
1-Mile Run
Run 1 mile at your own pace on the designated course. The clock starts on GO and does not stop until the final event is complete.
Walking is authorized but strongly discouraged. Pacers are allowed if there is no physical contact. Any physical help (pulled, pushed, carried) or cutting the course terminates the test.
30 Dead-Stop Push-Ups
Complete 30 dead-stop push-ups: lower until the chest meets the ground, lift both hands off the surface, then push back up to straight arms.
Any hand position and any release technique. The knees may not stay in contact with the ground during a rep. You may stop and rest in any position, but must return to the starting position before continuing. Incorrect reps don't count.
100-Meter Sprint
Move through the start line and cover 100 meters to the finish line.
Any pace is allowed, but you must finish the full 100 meters before moving on.
16 Sandbag Lifts
Lift 16 separate 40-lb sandbags from the ground onto a 65-inch platform, using any method.
All 16 bags must be on the platform before you move on. If a bag falls off, you must put it back. Graders may not help in any way.
50-Meter Water Can Carry
Carry two full 5-gallon Army water cans (40 lbs each) 50 meters to the endpoint.
Any carry method, and you may set the cans down as often as needed. Dragging or throwing a can sends you back to the start of the event; intentionally dumping water terminates the test. Both cans must finish upright.
50-Meter Movement Lane
Cover 25 meters by high crawl, then 25 meters of 3–5 second rushes, finishing in the prone position.
High crawl on forearms and lower legs only (no bear or crab crawl). Rushes start and end prone, roughly three ~8-meter bounds. Improper technique sends you back to the start of that portion.
1-Mile Run
Finish with a second 1-mile run. The time stops when you complete it.
Same rules as the first run: walking and pacing are allowed, any physical assistance terminates the test.
Uniform: Army Combat Uniform (ACU) top and bottom, belt, brown T-shirt, and AR 670-1 approved boots. No headgear. Helmets and body armor are not part of the prescribed uniform.
Who Has to Take the CFT
The CFT applies to 24 designated combat MOSs and AOCs across Infantry, Armor, Special Forces, Combat Engineers, Field Artillery, EOD, and Divers in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. The standard is age- and sex-neutral. The same list defines who must meet the AFT combat standard.
1 record CFT and 1 record AFT every year, at least 4 months apart. Includes USAR AGR and ARNG AGR (Title 10 and Title 32).
One record test per calendar year, alternating AFT and CFT, at least 8 months apart. The 2027 record test is the CFT. You may take an extra record AFT for promotion or schooling.
CFT and AFT: Both Tests, Not Either/Or
The CFT does not replace the Army Fitness Test. Combat-MOS Soldiers must pass both. The AFT remains the baseline assessment for every Soldier in the Army, and you don't have to take or pass the AFT before taking the CFT.
Every Soldier. Sex- and age-normed for non-combat MOSs; sex-neutral for combat MOSs. Minimum 350 (combat) / 300 (general).
24 combat MOSs only. Age- and sex-neutral. Continuous sequence in ACU and combat boots.
The CFT is part of a wider Department of War push on fitness standards. DoD Instruction 1308.03 (updated August 31, 2026) codified DoD-wide baselines, including two fitness tests per year for the active component and a waist-to-height ratio under 0.55.
See the full AFT vs CFT comparisonImplementation Timeline
The Army built in a 365-day implementation (diagnostic) period to give units time to train, equip, and field the test before failures count for record.
Army Directive 2026-07 is signed and the CFT becomes a requirement for the 24 combat specialties, effective immediately. The diagnostic year begins. 12D, 89D, and 89E are also added to the AFT combat standard.
No administrative action is taken solely because of a failed CFT or a CFT-limiting permanent profile. Failures get a non-punitive IPPS-A code (AECFTDQ). Voluntary reclassification and officer branch transfer (VTIP) are available.
Soldiers whose permanent profile prevents the CFT can submit waiver requests through IPPS-A starting June 1, 2026. Initial requests are due by January 31, 2027. Soldiers who get new permanent profiles later can still submit as needed.
Every Soldier in a listed specialty must take a diagnostic CFT and have the scorecard entered in ATIS within 6 months of publication.
Failures result in a flag (Code C), reconditioning, and a retest within 90 days (180 days for traditional RC). Two consecutive failures trigger mandatory reclassification or branch transfer.
Evaluations with a thru date 18 months or more after AD 2026-07 must include CFT pass/fail or waiver status.
Failure, Retest, and Waivers
During the diagnostic year. Until about April 16, 2027, no administrative action is taken solely because of a failed CFT. Soldiers who don't meet the standard are identified with a non-punitive IPPS-A code (AECFTDQ).
Record failures. Starting April 17, 2027, a Soldier who fails a record CFT is flagged (Code C), enrolled in reconditioning, and must retest within 90 days. Reserve Component Soldiers who aren't AGR or on 365+ day orders have 180 days. Combat-specialty Soldiers who haven't taken a record CFT within 12 months of full implementation are also flagged, unless a temporary profile prevents it.
Two consecutive failures. Without a waiver, enlisted Soldiers are processed for mandatory reclassification. Soldiers with 17 years 3 months or more of service are coded SRC 09U (MOS immaterial) until retirement eligibility. Enlisted Soldiers who refuse to extend or reenlist to reclassify, or who can't qualify for any MOS, face separation processing. Officers in the grades 2LT–CPT face an involuntary branch transfer. Officers in the grades MAJ–COL and warrant officers in CW3–CW5 are assigned to positions not associated with combat. Officers who refuse a transfer or utilization can be eliminated.
Promotions and evaluations. Failing Soldiers receive a mandatory CFT comment on their evaluation, which is not a referred report. Enlisted Soldiers become ineligible for promotion. Promotable officers are flagged and their promotion is delayed until they pass a later CFT.
Permanent profiles and waivers. To be eligible for the CFT, you must be able to take every AFT event without an alternate. A combat-specialty Soldier whose permanent profile prevents any primary AFT event is evaluated for reclassification unless granted a waiver. Waiver authority is the GCMCA or the first general officer in the chain of command, and it can't be delegated. Waivers are valid for 12 months, and denials can be appealed to the next higher commander. Waived Soldiers still take two AFTs a year (one for traditional RC).
Voluntary reclass. During the diagnostic year, enlisted Soldiers (PVT–SSG with under 18 years of service) who don't meet the standard on a diagnostic CFT can request reclassification into up to three priority specialties: 13J, 13M, 14E, 14G, 14P, 14T, 15X, 17E, 25H, 35F, 35G, 35L, 35M, 35N, 35P, 35S, 35T, 92F, 94S. This list is subject to change. Officers can request a branch transfer through VTIP.
Official CFT Documents
The authoritative source materials for the Combat Field Test. Download directly or browse all Army fitness PDFs on the downloads page.