Army CFT vs AFT: 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 (60 per event for both). Sex- and age-normed for non-combat; sex-neutral, age-normed for combat MOSs.
Combat MOSs only. Age- and sex-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 (Regular Army, AGR, RC on 365+ day orders) | Combat MOSs: 1 record AFT per year. Non-combat Active Duty: twice per year. | 1 record CFT per year, at least 4 months from the record AFT. |
| Frequency (other Reserve / Guard) | Once per year (combat MOSs alternate with the CFT). | Combat-MOS Soldiers alternate calendar years between AFT and CFT, at least 8 months apart. The 2027 record test is the CFT. |
| Age & sex adjusted | Sex- and age-normed for non-combat MOSs; sex-neutral, age-normed for combat MOSs. | Age- and sex-neutral for everyone. |
| Uniform | Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU). | ACU top and bottom, belt, brown T-shirt, AR 670-1 approved boots. No headgear. |
| Effective date | June 1, 2025 (test of record). | April 17, 2026 (diagnostic year); record testing begins April 17, 2027. |
| Failure consequences | Two consecutive failures may lead to involuntary separation. | Diagnostic year: no administrative action solely for failing. From April 17, 2027: flag, reconditioning, retest within 90 days; two consecutive failures trigger mandatory reclassification (enlisted) or branch transfer (officers). |
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:
- Regular Army, AGR & RC on 365+ day orders: 1 record AFT and 1 record CFT per year, at least 4 months apart.
- Other Reserve / National Guard: one record test per calendar year, alternating AFT and CFT, at least 8 months apart. An extra record AFT is allowed for promotion or schooling.
- No AFT prerequisite: you don't have to take or pass the AFT before the 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. AD 2026-07 says the CFT is not a substitute for the AFT. Combat-MOS Soldiers must meet the AFT combat standard and pass the CFT, and there is no requirement to take or pass the AFT before the CFT.
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 sex-neutral; the AFT applies to everyone, with sex- and age-normed scoring for non-combat MOSs and sex-neutral scoring for combat MOSs.
Yes. Regular Army, AGR, and RC Soldiers on 365+ day orders need at least 4 months between a record AFT and a record CFT. Other Reserve Component Soldiers need at least 8 months between record fitness tests, but may take an extra record AFT within that window for promotion or schooling.
More questions on the broader CFT? See the full CFT guide (14 additional FAQs).