Question 1

What is the Army Fitness Test (AFT)?

Accepted Answer

The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the U.S. Army's official physical fitness assessment. It replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and is designed to assess combat readiness, reduce musculoskeletal injuries, and build a more physically prepared force.

Question 2

When did the AFT become the test of record?

Accepted Answer

The AFT became the test of record on June 1, 2025, for all components of the Army (Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard), under Army Directive 2025-06.

Question 3

How is the AFT different from the ACFT?

Accepted Answer

The AFT has five events instead of six (the Standing Power Throw was eliminated). It added a sex-neutral combat standard with a higher minimum total (350 points versus 300) for designated combat specialties, now 24 MOSs and AOCs, and it uses updated scoring tables.

Question 4

Why was the Standing Power Throw removed from the test?

Accepted Answer

The Standing Power Throw was removed due to several factors: RAND Corporation analysis identified it as having "strong associations with future injury," concerns about the event's ability to accurately measure power due to technique and height influencing results, and the Army could not "scientifically validate" the event as an accurate measure of power.

Question 5

How often do I need to take the AFT?

Accepted Answer

Active Duty Soldiers in non-combat MOSs take a record AFT twice per year, and Reserve and National Guard Soldiers take it once per year. Since Army Directive 2026-07, Soldiers in the 24 combat specialties in the Regular Army, AGR, or on active-duty orders of 365 days or more take 1 record AFT and 1 record Combat Field Test (CFT) each year, at least 4 months apart. Other Reserve Component combat-specialty Soldiers alternate between a record AFT and a record CFT each calendar year.

Question 6

Do evaluations show my actual AFT score?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under Army Directive 2026-07 (paragraph 4b(1)), all evaluation reports reflect both pass/fail and the actual points earned on the record AFT.

Question 7

Is the Army going back to a 3-event test?

Accepted Answer

No change has been announced. In a September 30, 2026 speech, the Secretary of War said future service PT tests should require "only a stopwatch and a clipboard," but no events, standards, or timeline have been published. The 5-event AFT remains the Army's test of record.

Question 8

What are the five events in the AFT?

Accepted Answer

The five events are: 1) Three-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL), 2) Hand-Release Push-Up (HRPU), 3) Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC), 4) Plank, and 5) Two-Mile Run (2MR). These events must be performed in this specific sequence, with appropriate rest periods between events.

Question 9

What are the passing scores for the AFT?

Accepted Answer

There are two standards. The General standard applies to all Soldiers in non-combat MOSs, male and female. It is sex- and age-normed, with a minimum of 60 points in each event and 300 total. The Combat standard applies to the 24 combat MOSs and AOCs. It is sex-neutral and age-normed, with a minimum of 60 points in each event and 350 total.

Question 10

What is the maximum possible score on the AFT?

Accepted Answer

The maximum possible score is 500 points (100 points per event).

Question 11

How is the AFT scored?

Accepted Answer

Each event is scored from 0 to 100 points using the official scoring tables, which have been in effect since June 1, 2025. Combat-MOS Soldiers are scored on the sex-neutral, age-normed Combat standard. All other Soldiers are scored on the General standard, which is normed by sex and age group.

Question 12

When did the AFT standards take effect?

Accepted Answer

June 1, 2025: the AFT became the test of record for all Soldiers. January 1, 2026: the Combat standard took effect for the Active Component. June 1, 2026: the Combat standard took effect for the Army Reserve and National Guard. April 17, 2026: Army Directive 2026-07 added 12D, 89D, and 89E to the combat specialties required to meet the Combat standard, effective immediately.

Question 13

When were the current scoring tables released?

Accepted Answer

The current AFT scoring tables were approved May 15, 2025 and took effect June 1, 2025. They remain the tables in use today. The official PDF is available on our downloads page.

Question 14

When did consequences for failing the new standards begin?

Accepted Answer

Non-combat MOS Soldiers became accountable when the AFT became the test of record on June 1, 2025. Combat-MOS Soldiers became accountable to the 350-point Combat standard on January 1, 2026 (Active Component) and June 1, 2026 (Reserve and National Guard).

Question 15

Which Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) are classified as combat positions?

Accepted Answer

Army Directive 2026-07 lists 24 combat specialties: 11A, 11B, 11C, 11Z, 19A, 19C, 19D, 19K, 19Z, 18A, 180A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18Z, 12A, 12B, 12D, 13A, 13F, 89D, 89E. They cover Infantry, Engineers (including Army Divers), Field Artillery, Special Forces, Armor, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. 12D, 89D, and 89E were added in April 2026. The same list determines who must take the Combat Field Test.

Question 16

What happens if a combat MOS soldier fails to meet the 350-point standard?

Accepted Answer

A combat-MOS Soldier without a waiver who scores below 350 total, or below 60 in any event, gets a retest within 90 days. Reserve Component Soldiers who aren't AGR or on 365+ day orders get 180 days. A Soldier who fails the same test consecutively is subject to mandatory reclassification and/or separation, along with suspension of favorable actions.

Question 17

Do female soldiers in combat MOS positions have to meet the same standards as males?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The AFT combat standard is sex-neutral, meaning female soldiers in designated combat MOS positions must meet the same physical standards as male soldiers in those positions.

Question 18

What if I have a medical profile that prevents me from completing certain events?

Accepted Answer

Soldiers with a permanent profile complete every event their profile allows. If the profile prevents the 2-mile run, they take an approved alternate aerobic event, scored GO/NO-GO. For Soldiers in combat specialties, the Army says they must average 70 points across the events they can take and pass the alternate aerobic event if required. Under Army Directive 2026-07, a combat-specialty Soldier whose permanent profile prevents any primary AFT event can't take the CFT and is evaluated for reclassification, unless a general officer waiver is approved.

Question 19

What are the alternate events for soldiers on permanent profiles?

Accepted Answer

The official AFT scoring tables list four alternate aerobic events that can replace the 2-mile run: a 2.5-mile walk, a 12-km stationary bike, a 1-km swim, and a 5-km row. Each is scored GO/NO-GO against a maximum time set by age group and by sex (male/combat or female).

Question 20

What about temporary profiles?

Accepted Answer

If you have a temporary profile, you should use alternate events for training purposes, but you won't take the officially scored AFT until you're medically cleared. Combat-MOS Soldiers on temporary profiles also don't take a record CFT until they're able to.

Question 21

What if I fail the AFT?

Accepted Answer

If you fail a recorded-score AFT, the Army will provide you with support and training to improve your score, and you'll have a chance to retake the test. If you fail two consecutive recorded-score AFTs, you may face involuntary separation from the Army.

Question 22

How does the Army measure body composition now?

Accepted Answer

Army Directive 2026-13, effective July 7, 2026, made the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) the only Army Body Composition Program standard. The standard is a WHtR below 0.55. Height and weight screening tables and the tape test are no longer used, and Soldiers are measured at least twice per calendar year. A Soldier at 0.55 or higher is flagged and enrolled in the ABCP.

Question 23

Does a high AFT score still exempt me from body composition standards?

Accepted Answer

No. Army Directive 2026-13 rescinded the body fat exemption for high AFT scores (465 or more, under AD 2025-17). No AFT score now exempts a Soldier from meeting the WHtR standard.

Question 24

How should I train for the AFT?

Accepted Answer

Effective training for the AFT should include: Strength training focusing on deadlifts and upper body exercises, high-intensity interval training for the Sprint-Drag-Carry, core strength training for the plank, aerobic training for the 2-Mile Run, and specific practice of the test events to master proper form and technique.

Question 25

Can I wear special equipment during the AFT?

Accepted Answer

You will conduct the AFT in the Army Physical Fitness Uniform. Other devices or gear, such as weightlifting belts or gloves, are not permitted unless prescribed by a medical provider. Gloves may be worn during the Deadlift event if they meet AR 670-1 standards.

Question 26

What are the facility requirements for the AFT?

Accepted Answer

The AFT requires: A testing site with a two-mile running course, a flat 40x40-meter space (grass or artificial turf if indoors), wood and rubberized surfaces are not authorized for the Sprint-Drag-Carry, and appropriate equipment for each event (hex bar, weights, kettlebells, sled, etc.).

Question 27

How long should the AFT take to complete?

Accepted Answer

The AFT is intended to be completed in 70 minutes or less, including rest periods between events.

Question 28

How many soldiers can be tested at once?

Accepted Answer

The number of testing lanes will depend on the number of soldiers undergoing testing. Each testing lane should have one certified AFT grader, and there should be no more than four soldiers per grader.

Question 29

What is the Combat Field Test (CFT)?

Accepted Answer

The Combat Field Test, sometimes called the combat fitness test, is a pass/fail assessment established by Army Directive 2026-07 (April 17, 2026) for Soldiers in 24 combat specialties. It consists of seven events performed in continuous sequence: a 1-mile run, 30 dead-stop push-ups, a 100 m sprint, 16 sandbag lifts onto a 65-inch platform, a 50 m water can carry, a 50 m movement lane, and a second 1-mile run. The whole test must be finished in 30 minutes or less, in ACU and boots.

Question 30

Does the CFT replace the AFT?

Accepted Answer

No. 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 first.

Question 31

Who has to take the CFT?

Accepted Answer

Soldiers in the 24 combat specialties listed in Army Directive 2026-07, across the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. That includes Infantry, Armor, Special Forces, Combat Engineers, Field Artillery, EOD, and Army Divers.

Question 32

Does the CFT have age or sex adjustments?

Accepted Answer

No. The CFT is age- and sex-neutral. The 30-minute time standard and event requirements are identical for every Soldier who must take it.

Question 33

When do I have to take my first CFT?

Accepted Answer

Every Soldier in a listed combat specialty must take a diagnostic CFT and have the scorecard entered in ATIS no later than 6 months after Army Directive 2026-07 was published, which is about mid-October 2026. Record testing begins April 17, 2027.

Question 34

What if I fail the CFT?

Accepted Answer

During the diagnostic year (April 17, 2026 to about April 16, 2027), no administrative action is taken solely because of a failed CFT. Failures get a non-punitive IPPS-A code. From April 17, 2027, a record failure brings a flag, reconditioning, and a retest within 90 days (180 days for RC Soldiers not on AGR or 365+ day orders). Two consecutive failures without a waiver trigger mandatory reclassification for enlisted Soldiers or an involuntary branch transfer for officers.

Question 35

How does the CFT fit into my AFT testing schedule?

Accepted Answer

Regular Army, AGR, and RC Soldiers on 365+ day orders take 1 record AFT and 1 record CFT per year, at least 4 months apart. Other Reserve and National Guard combat-MOS Soldiers alternate calendar years between a record AFT and a record CFT, at least 8 months apart, and may take an extra record AFT for promotion or schooling.

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ

AFT Events and Scoring

Implementation Timeline

Combat MOS Requirements

Profile and Alternate Events

Body Composition

Training and Preparation

AFT Testing Conditions

Combat Field Test (CFT)