AFT vs CFT: What's the Difference?
Two Army fitness tests. One you take regardless of MOS, one you take if you're in a combat role. Here's exactly how they differ — events, scoring, frequency, and consequences.
Every Soldier, every year. Combat MOSs need 350; general MOSs need 300. Sex- and age-normed for non-combat; sex-neutral for combat MOSs.
Combat MOSs only. Age- and gender-neutral. Continuous sequence in ACU and combat boots.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Dimension | AFT | CFT |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | General fitness baseline for the entire force. | Mission-based readiness check for combat MOSs. |
| Events | 5 (Deadlift, Hand-Release Push-Up, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Plank, 2-Mile Run). | 7 (1-Mile Run, 30 Push-Ups, 100m Sprint, 16 Sandbag Lifts, 50m Water Can Carry, 50m Movement Drill, 1-Mile Run). |
| Scoring | 0–100 points per event (500 max). Combat min 350, general min 300. | Pass/Fail only. |
| Time limit | About 70 minutes including rest periods. | 30 minutes for all 7 events in continuous sequence. |
| Who tests | Every Soldier in every component. | Soldiers in 24 designated combat MOSs and AOCs. |
| Frequency (Active Duty) | Twice per year. | Annually, in addition to the AFT. |
| Frequency (Reserve / Guard) | Once per year. | Combat-MOS Soldiers alternate years between AFT and CFT. |
| Age & gender adjusted | Sex- and age-normed for non-combat MOSs; sex-neutral for combat MOSs. | Age- and gender-neutral for everyone. |
| Uniform | Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU). | ACU + combat boots + brown T-shirt. No headgear. |
| Effective date | June 1, 2025 (test of record). | April 2026 (record begins April 2027 after diagnostic year). |
| Failure consequences | Two consecutive failures may lead to involuntary separation. | After diagnostic year: Flag Code C and potential mandatory reclassification out of combat MOS. |
Both, Not Either/Or
Combat-MOS Soldiers take the AFT and the CFT. The Army built a minimum gap between them so back-to-back testing doesn't degrade the validity of either result:
- Active Duty: minimum 4 months between record AFT and record CFT.
- Reserve / National Guard: minimum 8 months between record events.
- Reserve Component combat-MOS Soldiers alternate years between AFT and CFT.
Who Takes Which Test
- Soldiers in non-combat MOSs (Active Duty, Reserve, Guard).
- No CFT requirement.
- Soldiers in 24 designated combat MOSs.
- Both tests required to remain MOS-qualified.
What This Means for Your Training
If you're in a combat MOS, the CFT changes how you should think about your annual training cycle. The CFT punishes single-event specialization — a Soldier who can hit a 100-point deadlift but can't sustain a mile under load will fail the CFT regardless of their AFT score. Build a base that does both:
- Aerobic capacity for the bookended 1-mile runs under fatigue.
- Loaded-carry strength for the water cans and sandbag lifts to a 65-inch platform.
- Anaerobic recovery between the sprint, push-ups, and movement drill.
AFT vs CFT FAQ
No. The AFT remains the baseline assessment for every Soldier. Combat-MOS Soldiers must pass both the AFT and the CFT to remain MOS-qualified.
Every Soldier takes the AFT. Soldiers in 24 designated combat MOSs (Infantry, Armor, Special Forces, Combat Engineers, Field Artillery, EOD, and Divers) take both the AFT and the CFT.
The CFT is pass/fail with 7 events done continuously in 30 minutes wearing ACU and boots. The AFT is scored over 5 events with rest between them in the APFU. The CFT applies only to combat MOSs and is age- and gender-neutral; the AFT applies to everyone with normed scoring.
Yes. Active Duty Soldiers need at least 4 months between record events. Reserve Component Soldiers need at least 8 months.
More questions on the broader CFT? See the full CFT guide (10 additional FAQs).